the godhead handbook for seventh-day adventists

80 Pages·2017·3.29 MB·English

Introduction

The early Adventist Pioneers believed in a Godhead, but rarely wrote about it. After all, there are only
three verses in the Bible with this word. According to the Bible, the Godhead is the divine nature, the
nature of God, the Father.

As many of you know, there is a controversy brewing over worship. But what you might not know is
that ever since his rebellion in heaven, Satan has been obscuring the fact that Jesus is the Son of
God, and he is still doing that today.

Most Seventh-Day Adventists will assent that “Jesus is the Son of God,” but these words mean
different things to different people. Sadly, most Adventists do not fully understand their denominational
statements of belief, that the Trinity doctrine teaches that Jesus is not the literal Son of God: Jesus is
the same age as the Father and has always existed alongside Him. But this would make them twins,
not a real Father and Son. The Trinity also teaches that “God the Holy Spirit” is a third divine being
who is co-equal and co-eternal, making them triplets. Let that thought sink in for a moment.

In 1931 that Francis McLellan Wilcox (editor of the Advent Review & Sabbath Herald)
unprecedentedly inserted a statement of beliefs containing the words “Godhead” and “Trinity” next to
each other into the church’s yearbook. The roots of this move go back 18 years. It is a common
misconception today that if you don’t accept the Trinity doctrine then you deny the Deity of Christ.
Things were no different back then: Christians held that if you didn’t teach the Trinity doctrine, then
you belonged to a cult. In 1913, James Gray of the Moody Bible Institute decried Seventh-day
Adventists, accusing them of denying the Trinity, among other things. Wilcox was worried about what
Evangelicals and others would think about us. Yet from its inception our movement was to be a
peculiar people. That aspect of our faith would diminish as more Sunday-keeping converts came in,
slowly making their preconceived notions of God the majority belief.

Do you remember the three horns that were plucked up in Daniel 7:8, the Heruli, the Vandals and the
Ostrogoths? They rejected the Trinity, and were massacred as a result. Winston Churchill said,
“History is written by the victors.” Thankfully the non-Trinitarian belief survived with the Waldensians,
who barely survived persecution by the Trinitarian majority, and with the Adventist movement who
kept it going since the Great Disappointment of 1844 into the 1900’s. But since then, the denomination
began to follow in the footsteps and spirit of the little horn power in its treatment of non-Trinitarians:
“accept the Trinity or be dis-fellowshipped.”

Since the early 1930’s, theologians, scholars and leaders have gradually developed a false narrative,
conflating the words “Godhead” and “Trinity” which in fact have nothing to do with each other. I want to
close this introduction with the following counsel from the Spirit of Prophecy. Let these words speak to
you and create a desire to be a student of the scriptures, reasoning everything you hear. Just
remember, if you have to add to the words of the Bible in order to substantiate your position, you’re
doing something wrong. Don’t let your emotions drive your learning, because the truth just might hurt
your feelings.
Opening words and counsel from the inspiration
Of the Spirit of Prophecy

"What greater deception can come upon human minds than a confidence that they are right
when they are all wrong! The message of the True Witness finds the people of God in a sad
deception, yet honest in that deception. They know not that their condition is deplorable in the
sight of God. While those addressed are flattering themselves that they are in an exalted
spiritual condition, the message of the True Witness breaks their security by the startling
denunciation of their true condition of spiritual blindness, poverty, and wretchedness. The
testimony, so cutting and severe, cannot be a mistake, for it is the True Witness who
speaks, and His testimony must be correct.” - Ellen White, Testimonies for the Church, vol.
3, p.252.4

“I have been shown that the greatest reason why the people of God are now found in this state
of spiritual blindness is that they will not receive correction. Many have despised the reproofs
and warnings given them. The True Witness condemns the lukewarm condition of the people of
God, which gives Satan great power over them in this waiting, watching time. The selfish, the
proud, and the lovers of sin are ever assailed with doubts. Satan has ability to suggest
doubts and to devise objections to the pointed testimony that God sends, and many think
it a virtue, a mark of intelligence in them, to be unbelieving and to question and quibble. Those
who desire to doubt will have plenty of room. God does not propose to remove all occasion for
unbelief. He gives evidence, which must be carefully investigated with a humble mind and a
teachable spirit, and all should decide from the weight of evidence.” – Ellen White,
Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 255.1

“Religious teachers read the Bible in the light of their own understanding and traditions; and the
people do not search the Scriptures for themselves, and judge for themselves as to what is
truth; but they yield up their judgment, and commit their souls to their leaders.” - Ellen
White, Desire of Ages, p.459

“Those who are willing to have the straight, plain messages of God consumed, to get them out of
their sight, will only give increased publicity to, and confirmation of, the messages that they
dismissed and repulsed. When the Lord sends a message to any man or woman, and they
refuse to be corrected, refuse to receive it, that is not the end of the message by any
means. All the transaction is recorded, and those who took part in it, by their refusal to be
corrected, pronounce their own sentence against themselves.” – Ellen White, Letter 326,
December 4, 1905; Manuscript 111-1905; NY Indicator, February 7, 1906, par. 6

“The truths most plainly revealed in the Bible have been involved in doubt and darkness
by learned men, who, with a pretense of great wisdom, teach that the Scriptures have a
mystical, a secret, spiritual meaning not apparent in the language employed. These men
are false teachers. It was to such a class that Jesus declared, “Ye know not the Scriptures,
neither the power of God.” [Mark 12:24.] The language of the Bible should be explained
according to its obvious meaning unless a symbol or figure is employed. Christ has given
the promise, “If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine.” [John 7:17.] If men
would but take the Bible as it reads, if there were no false teachers to mislead and
confuse their minds, a work would be accomplished that would make angels glad, and
that would bring into the fold of Christ thousands upon thousands who are now
wandering in error. “ – Ellen White, The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, p. 416.3; Great
Controversy 1888, p. 598.3; Review & Herald, par. 8, June 28, 1906
The Father and Son in the New Testament

The Father and Son in Single Verses

Matthew 1
Mark 2
Luke 3
John 4
Acts 10
Romans 11
1 Corinthians 13
2 Corinthians 14
Galatians 15
Ephesians 15
Philippians 16
Colossians 17
1 Thessalonians 17
2 Thessalonians 18
1 Timothy 18
2 Timothy 19
Titus 19
Philemon 19
Hebrews 19
James 20
1 Peter 21
2 Peter 21
1 John 21
2 John 22
Jude 22
Revelation 22
The Father and Son in Consecutive Verses

Matthew 24
John 24
Acts 24
Romans 24
1 Corinthians 25
2 Corinthians 25
Galatians 25
Ephesians 25
Philippians 26
Colossians 26
1 Thessalonians 26
2 Thessalonians 26
1 Timothy 27
2 Timothy 27
Philemon 27
Hebrews 28
1 Peter 28
1 John 28
Jude 29
Revelation 29

God verses

God Almighty 31
Lord Almighty 31
Lord God Almighty 31
Almighty God 32
the Almighty 32

Godhead verses

Could we be over thinking these topics and verses? 35
Person 35
Persons 35

Father, Son and Holy Spirit

Combined reference verses 36
Matthew 28:19 36
In My Name – Jesus Christ 38
Jesus Speaking in First and Third Person language 39
Glorified! 42
1 John 5:7-8 44
2 Corinthians 13:14 46
Matthew 3:16-17 48
The Spirit in the Old and New Testament

Names for the Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit 50
Holy Ghost 50
Holy Spirit of God 55
Spirit of the Lord God 55
Spirit of your Father 55
Spirit of God 56
Spirit of the LORD 57
Spirit of the Living God 59
Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus 59
My Spirit 59
Spirit of Truth 60
Spirit of Adoption 61
Spirit of Counsel and Might 61
Spirit of Wisdom (and understanding) 61
Eternal Spirit 61
Spirit of Jesus Christ 61
Spirit of His Son 61
Spirit of Christ 62
God’s Spirit 62
His Spirit 62
God the Holy Spirit 63
God the Son (not a Holy Spirit name but included) 63

Spirit was troubled, grieved

Spirit was troubled 64
Spirit was grieved 64

Parallel examples

Spirit of Man was troubled 65
Heart 65
Life / breath 65
Mind 66
Life 66
The Spirit of the Lord is life to you 66
Presence 66

Let these Scriptures speak to you 67
Who will we be Worshiping? 68
Transforming Knowledge 70
Closing thoughts from the Spirit of Prophecy 71
The Father and Son in the New Testament

The Father & Son in Single Verses
(579 times out of 7,943 verses - 7.3%)
Matthew (33 times out of 1,071 verses - 3%)
1. Matthew 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well
pleased.
2. Matthew 4:3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command
that these stones be made bread.
3. Matthew 4:6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He
shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any
time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
4. Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;
but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
5. Matthew 8:29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son
of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?
6. Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before
my Father which is in heaven.
7. Matthew 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father
which is in heaven.
8. Matthew 10:40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that
sent me.
9. Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and
earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto
babes.
10. Matthew 11:27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but
the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will
reveal him.
11. Matthew 14:33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou
art the Son of God.
12. Matthew 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living
God.
13. Matthew 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh
and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
14. Matthew 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then
he shall reward every man according to his works.
15. Matthew 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice
out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
16. Matthew 20:8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the
labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.
17. Matthew 20:23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the
baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it
shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.
18. Matthew 21:9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to
the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
19. Matthew 21:37 But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.
20. Matthew 22:2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his
son,
21. Matthew 22:44 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies
thy footstool?
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22. Matthew 23:39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he
that cometh in the name of the Lord.
23. Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my
Father only.
24. Matthew 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my
Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
25. Matthew 26:29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day
when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
26. Matthew 26:39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if
it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
27. Matthew 26:42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup
may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
28. Matthew 26:53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me
more than twelve legions of angels?
29. Matthew 26:63 But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure
thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.
30. Matthew 26:64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall
ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
31. Matthew 27:43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the
Son of God.
32. Matthew 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama
sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
33. Matthew 27:54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the
earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of
God.
Mark (19 times out of 678 verses - 2.8%)
1. Mark 1:1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
2. Mark 1:11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am
well pleased.
3. Mark 1:24 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou
come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.
4. Mark 3:11 And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou
art the Son of God.
5. Mark 5:7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the
most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.
6. Mark 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and
sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his
Father with the holy angels.
7. Mark 9:7 And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud,
saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
8. Mark 9:37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and
whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
9. Mark 11:9 And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he
that cometh in the name of the Lord:
10. Mark 12:6 Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying,
They will reverence my son.
11. Mark 12:36 For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my
right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.
12. Mark 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven,
neither the Son, but the Father.
13. Mark 14:25 Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I
drink it new in the kingdom of God.
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14. Mark 14:36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from
me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.
15. Mark 14:61 But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and
said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?
16. Mark 14:62 And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of
power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
17. Mark 15:34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama
sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
18. Mark 15:39 And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and
gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.
19. Mark 16:19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat
on the right hand of God.
Luke (29 times out of 1,151 verses - 2.5%)
1. Luke 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall
give unto him the throne of his father David:
2. Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and
the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born
of thee shall be called the Son of God.
3. Luke 2:49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my
Father's business?
4. Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
5. Luke 3:22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice
came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
6. Luke 4:3 And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be
made bread.
7. Luke 4:9 And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto
him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence:
8. Luke 4:41 And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of
God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.
9. Luke 8:28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said,
What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not.
10. Luke 9:20 He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of
God.
11. Luke 9:26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man
be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.
12. Luke 9:35 And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
13. Luke 9:48 And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and
whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same
shall be great.
14. Luke 10:16 He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that
despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.
15. Luke 10:21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven
and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto
babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.
16. Luke 10:22 All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but
the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.
17. Luke 13:35 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see
me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
18. Luke 19:38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven,
and glory in the highest.
19. Luke 20:13 Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may
be they will reverence him when they see him.
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