The Holy Spirit in the Spirit Of Prophecy

ELLEN WHITE REPROVES THOSE WHO DENY THE EXISTENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

In 1851, there were fanatics who were traveling from place to place and denying the existence of the Holy Spirit. They said there was no Holy Spirit!

"These things [people doubting her visions were from God] wounded my spirit, and wrung my soul in deep anguish, well nigh to despair, while many would have me believe that there was no Holy Ghost."- 1 Review. 13 (September 21. 1851).

In 1886, she wrote these words:

"A spurious light will be accepted in the place of truth by some who feel called upon to be expositors of the Scriptures. because of their calling or position."-ll Manuscript Releases, 89 (Manuscript 15. 1886).

In 1891, a "brother Chapman" felt he had discovered that the Holy Spirit did not exist, that It was not a Person and not a member of the Godhead. When he wrote her for counsel, this was Ellen White's reply:

"Some are ever seeking to be original, to bring out something new and startling, and they do not realize as they should the importance preserving the unity of the faith in the bonds of love. .

"We are to pray for divine enlightenment. but at the same time we should be careful how we receive everything termed new light. .

"Your ideas. . do not harmonize with the light God has given me. The nature of the Holy Spirit is a mystery not clearly revealed, and you will never be able to explain it to others because the Lord has not revealed it to you. You may gather together Scriptures and put your construction upon them. but the application is not correct. The expositions by which you sustain your position are not sound. You may lead some to accept your explanations, but you do them no good. nor are they. through accepting your views, enabled to do others good.

"It is not essential for you to know and be able to define just what the Holy Spirit is , . There are many mysteries which 1 do not seek to understand or to explain; they are too high for me. and too high for you. On some of these points. silence is golden.

"I have been shown that you would not exert a saving influence in teaching the truth, because your mind is restless, and unless you drank deeper of the Fountain of life, you would make the mistake that many others have made, of thinking that you have new light, when it is only a new phase of error. .

"Here is your danger, of diverting minds from the real issues for this time. And you are not the only one who seems to be moved with ambition in this direction. It would not be right or prudent to send you out as a worker to promulgate your peculiar ideas and thus cause division; we have plenty of this now. We want men of solid experience. who will anchor minds and not send them adrift without chart or compass, Now, my brother, it is truth that we want and must have, but do not introduce error as new truth."-14 Manuscript Releases, 177-180 (Letter 7, June 11.1891).

After 1891, an increasing amount of error was being taught. In 1894, she wrote:

"When men feel competent to pronounce judgment and condemn the Holy Spirit, they do a work for themselves which will be difficult to counteract. The whole head becomes weak, and the discernment so weak that it is apt to judge unrighteously,"--4 Manuscript Releases. 358 (Letter 6, October 21. 1894).

By the turn of the century, J.B. Kellogg was nearing the time when he would unveil his pantheistic teachings, which denied the existence of the entire Godhead. In 1900, she wrote:

"We need to dwell more constantly and earnestly upon the grace of the Holy Spirit. This we do not discern with our natural eyes, yet by faith we see its office work, and we cannot render to God supreme love and honor if we do not recognize the Holy Spirit which the Lord sends. The Holy Spirit represents Jesus Christ."-2 Manuscript Releases, 38 (Manuscript 59. August 16. 1900).

In 1907, she wrote:

"Those who reject the Spirit of truth place themselves under the control of a spirit that is opposed to the Word and work of God. For a time they may continue to teach some phases of the truth, but their refusal to accept all the light that God sends will after a time place them where they will do the work of a false watchman. . There will always be those who are seeking for something new, and who stretch and strain the Word of God to make it support their ideas and theories." Sermons and Talks. Vol. 1. 385. 387 (Manuscript 125. September 4. 1907).

 OTHER SPIRIT OF PROPHECY

Please, my friend, do nothing, say nothing, to grieve the Holy Spirit from you! Do not accept the lying report that He does not exist!

"The Lord Jesus acts through the Holy Spirit; for it is His representative."—Messages to Young People, 55.

"We need to realize that the Holy Spirit, who is as much a person as God is a person, is walking through these grounds."—Manuscript 66, 1899 (Evangelism, 616).

"The Holy Spirit is a person, for He beareth witness with our spirits that we are the children of God. When this witness is borne, it carries with it its own evidence. At such times we believe and are sure that we are children of God . .

"The Holy Spirit has a personality, else He could not bear witness to our spirits and with our spirits that we are the children of God. He must also be a divine person, else He could not search out the secrets which lie hidden in the mind of God. ‘For what man knoweth the things of God, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.’ "—Manuscript 20, 1906 (Evangelism, 616-617).

"Evil had been accumulating for centuries, and could only be restrained and resisted by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Godhead, who would come with no modified energy, but in the fullness of divine power. Another spirit must be met; for the essence of evil was working in all ways, and the submission of man to this satanic captivity was amazing."—Testimonies to Ministers, 392.

"The Holy Spirit unites with the powers of grace that God has provided to turn souls to Christ."—5 Review, 341.

"The prince of the power of evil can only be held in check by the power of God in the Third Person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit."—Special Testimonies, Series A, No. 10, 37 (Evangelism, 617).

"By the Spirit which searches all things, even the deep things of God, have been revealed precious truths which cannot be described by pen or voice."—Sons and Daughters of God, 34.

"The nature of the Holy Spirit is a mystery. Men cannot explain it, because the Lord has not revealed it to them. Men having fanciful views may bring together passages of Scripture and put a human construction on them, but the acceptance of these views will not strengthen the church. Regarding such mysteries, which are too deep for human understanding, silence is golden.

"Before this the Spirit had been in the world; from the very beginning of the work of redemption He had been moving upon men’s hearts. But while Christ was on earth, the disciples had desired no other helper. Not until they were deprived of His presence would they feel their need of the Spirit, and then He would come."—Desire of Ages, 669.

"The Spirit was not then [in ancient times] given in power because Jesus was not yet glorified."—1 Manuscript Release, 364 (Manuscript 148, October 8, 1899).

"The Holy Spirit was eagerly sought for in the schools of the prophets."—12 Manuscript Release 147 (Manuscript 69, June 19, 1908).

"The time [after Christ’s ascension] had now come. The Spirit had been waiting for the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Christ. For ten days the disciples offered their petitions for the outpouring of the Spirit, and Christ in heaven added His intercession."—6 Bible Commentary, 1055.

"In the days of the Apostles, He [God] wrought mightily for His church through the agency of the Holy Spirit."—Acts of the Apostles, 53.

"Cumbered with humanity, Christ could not be in every place personally; therefore it was altogether for their advantage that He should leave them, go to His Father, and send the Holy Spirit to be His successor on earth. The Holy Spirit is Himself divested of the personality of humanity and independent thereof. He [Christ] would represent Himself as present in all places by His Holy Spirit, as the Omnipresent."—14 Manuscript Release 23 (Manuscript 5a, 1895) (Desire of Ages, 669-670 is similar).

"He [Christ] would intercede for them, and would send them His own representative, the Holy Spirit, who would attend them in their work. This representative would not appear in human form, but by faith would be seen and recognized by all who should believe in Christ."—3 Review, 511 (October 26, 1896).

"Christ, as Mediator, is the great Minister in the work of redemption. The Holy Spirit is His representative in our world, to execute the divine purpose of bringing to fallen man power from above, that he may be an overcomer."—7 Bible Commentary, 922.

"While Jesus ministers in the true Sanctuary above, He is through His Holy Spirit working through His earthly messengers."—Counsels on Health, 545.

"The Saviour promised that His presence would be always with them. Through the Holy Spirit He would be even nearer to them than when He walked visibly among men."—Ministry of Healing, 104.

"Jesus had assured them that He would send the Comforter, as an equivalent for His visible presence."—3 Spirit of Prophecy, 256.

"And Pentecost brought them the presence of the Comforter, of whom Christ had said, "He ‘shall be in you’ . . Henceforth, through the Spirit, Christ was to abide continually in the hearts of His children. Their union with Him was closer than when He was personally with them."—Steps to Christ, 74-75.

"They would realize no break in their communion, and no diminution of power because of the Saviour’s absence. While Jesus ministers in the Sanctuary above, He is still by His Spirit the minister of the church on earth . . His energizing presence is still with His church."—Desire of Ages, 166.

"After His ascension He was to be absent in person; but through the Comforter He would still be with them."—Desire of Ages, 277.

"The office of the Holy Spirit is distinctly specified in the words of Christ: "When He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment" (Jn 16:8). It is the Holy Spirit that convicts of sin. If the sinner responds to the quickening influence of the Spirit, he will be brought to repentance and aroused to the importance of obeying the divine requirements . .

"Having brought conviction of sin, and presented before the mind the standard of righteousness, the Holy Spirit withdraws the affections from the things of this earth and fills the soul with a desire for holiness. "He will guide you into all truth" (Jn 16:13), the Saviour declared. If men are willing to be molded, there will be brought about a sanctification of the whole being. The Spirit will take the things of God and stamp them on the soul. By His power the way of life will be made so plain that none need err therein."—Acts of the Apostles, 52-53.

"The influence of the Holy Spirit is the life of Christ in the soul. We do not see Christ and speak to Him, but His Holy Spirit is just as near us in one place as in another. It works in and through every one who receives Christ. Those who know the indwelling of the Spirit reveal the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith."—12 Manuscript Release, 260-261 (Manuscript 41, 1897).

"The divine Spirit reveals its working on the human heart. When the Holy Spirit operates upon the mind, the human agent will understand the statement made by Christ, ‘He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you.’ Subjection to the Word of God means the restoration of one’s self. Let Christ work by His Holy Spirit, and awaken you as from the dead, and carry your minds along with His. Let Him employ your faculties."—Testimonies to Ministers, 396.

"They are filled with gratitude to God for the blessings they have received; their hearts are quickened by love, and their energies are strengthened to lift up others who can never rise without help. Taking the Bible as their guide and the Holy Spirit as their helper and comforter, they find a new career opening before them."—6 Testimonies, 260.

"The people of God separate from the source of their strength, and pride, vanity, extravagance, and display follow. There are idols within and idols without; but God sends the Comforter as a reprover of sin, that His people may be warned of their apostasy and rebuked for their backsliding."—Fundamentals of Christian Education, 197.

"The Holy Spirit comes to the world as Christ’s representative. It not only speaks the truth, but It is the truth—the Faithful and True Witness. It is the great Searcher of hearts, and is acquainted with the characters of all.

"The Holy Spirit has often come to our schools, and has not been recognized, but has been treated as a stranger, perhaps even as an intruder. Every teacher should know and welcome this heavenly Guest."—Counsels to Teachers, 68.

"Why should we not expect the Holy Watcher to come into our schools?"—Counsels to Teachers, 370.

"The more fully they receive the enlightenment of the living Spirit, the more nearly will they harmonize in their understanding of what is truth."—14 Manuscript Releases, 176 (Letter 7, June 11, 1891).

"There is, thank God, an ever living Spirit to guide us into all truth."—Manuscript Release 491, 83 (Letter 93, September 30, 1896).

"The Holy Spirit puts forth its highest energies to work in heart and mind."—5 Review, 472.

"Have you not been afraid of the Holy Spirit? At times this Spirit has come with all-pervading influence into the school at Battle Creek and into the schools at other places. Did you recognize His presence? Did you accord Him the honor due to a heavenly messenger? When the Spirit seemed to be striving with the youth, did you say: ‘Let us put aside all study, for it is evident that we have among us a heavenly guest? Let us give praise and honor to God.’ Did you, with contrite hearts, bow in prayer with your students, pleading that you might receive the blessing that the Lord was presenting to you?

"The Great Teacher Himself was among you. Did you honor Him? Was He a stranger to some of the educators? Was there need to send for someone of supposed authority to welcome or repel this Messenger from heaven? Though unseen, His presence was among you. But was not the thought expressed that in school the time ought to be given to study, and that there was a time for everything, as if the hours devoted to common study were too precious to be given up for the working of the heavenly messenger?

"If you have in any way restricted or repulsed the Holy Spirit, I entreat you to repent as quickly as possible. If any of our teachers have not opened the door of the heart to the Spirit of God, but have closed and padlocked it, I urge them to unlock the door and pray with earnestness: ‘Abide with me.’ When the Holy Spirit reveals His presence in your schoolroom, say to your students: ‘The Lord signifies that He has for us today a lesson of heavenly import, of more value than our lessons in ordinary lines. Let us listen; let us bow before God and seek Him with the whole heart.’

[This entire passage is powerful, designating the Holy Spirit as a person. Please note that, in the above paragraph, the other name for this person, the "Holy Spirit," is "the Spirit of God." So when you read "Spirit of God" in the Inspired Writings, it means the "Holy Spirit."]

"Let me tell you what I know of this heavenly Guest. The Holy Spirit was brooding over the youth during the school hours; but some hearts were so cold and dark that they had no desire for the Spirit’s presence, and the light of God was withdrawn. That heavenly Visitant would have opened all understanding, would have given wisdom and knowledge in all lines of study that could be employed to the glory of God. The Lord’s messenger came to convince of sin and to soften hearts hardened by long estrangement from God. He came to reveal the great love wherewith God has loved those youth. They are God’s heritage, and educators need the "higher education before they are qualified to be teachers and guides of youth."—8 Testimonies, 62.

"Let educators give the Holy Spirit room to do Its work upon human hearts. The greatest Teacher is represented in the midst of us by the Holy Spirit."—Counsels to Parents and Teachers, 417-418.

"The Holy Spirit loves to address the youth, and to discover to them the treasures and beauties of God’s Word. The promises spoken by the great Teacher will captivate the senses and animate the soul with a spiritual power that is divine."—Christ’s Object Lessons, 132.

"The Lord Jesus, represented by the Holy Spirit, was in the presence of that assembly, but they did not discern Him."—Testimonies to Ministers, 73.

"The Comforter is called ‘the Spirit of truth.’ His work is to define and maintain the truth. He first dwells in the heart as the Spirit of truth, and thus He becomes the Comforter. There is comfort and peace in the truth, but no real peace or comfort can be found in falsehood. It is through false theories and traditions that Satan gains his power over the mind. By directing men to false standards, he misshapes the character. Through the Scriptures the Holy Spirit speaks to the mind, and impresses truth upon the heart. Thus He exposes error, and expels it from the soul. It is by the Spirit of truth, working through the Word of God, that Christ subdues His chosen people to Himself."—Desire of Ages, 671.

"The Holy Watcher from heaven is present at this season to make it one of soul searching, of conviction of sin, and of the blessed assurance of sins forgiven. Christ in the fullness of His grace is there to change the current of the thoughts that have been running in selfish channels. The Holy Spirit quickens the sensibilities of those who follow the example of their Lord . .

"As the lesson of the preparatory service is thus learned, the desire is kindled for a higher spiritual life. To this desire the divine Witness will respond. The soul will be uplifted. We can partake of the Communion with a consciousness of sins forgiven."—Desire of Ages, 651.

"From the Day of Pentecost to the present time, the Comforter has been sent to all who have yielded themselves fully to the Lord and to His service. To all who have accepted Christ as a personal Saviour, the Holy Spirit has come as a counselor, sanctifier, guide, and witness."—Acts of the Apostles, 49.

"The Holy Spirit comes to the world as Christ’s representative. It not only speaks the truth, but it is the truth—the Faithful and True Witness. It is the great Searcher of hearts, and is acquainted with the characters of all."—Counsels to Teachers, 68.

"Christ [just before the crucifixion] looked forward to the time when the Holy Spirit, as His representative, should come to do a wonderful work in and through His merits; and He felt privileged to communicate His relief to His disciples."—Testimonies to Ministers, 402.

"The Holy Spirit, the representative of Himself, is the greatest of all gifts."—Mount of Blessing, 132.

"But no distance, no circumstances can separate us from ‘the Comforter.’ Wherever we are, wherever we may go, He is there, always a Presence, a Person connected with heaven, One given us in Christ’s place, to act in His stead."—2 Manuscript Release, 32 (Letter 89b, March 22, 1897).

"When God’s people search the Scriptures with a desire to know what is truth, Jesus is present in the person of His representative, the Holy Spirit, reviving the hearts of the humble and contrite ones."—12 Manuscript Release, 145 (Manuscript 158, 1898).

"They are to contend with supernatural forces, but they are assured of supernatural help. All the intelligences of heaven are in this army. And more than angels are in the ranks. The Holy Spirit, the representative of the Captain of the Lord’s host, comes down to direct the battle."—Desire of Ages, 352.

"The latter rain, falling near the close of the season, ripens the grain and prepares it for the sickle. The Lord employs these operations of nature to represent the work of the Holy Spirit. As the dew and the rain are given first to cause the seed to germinate, and then to ripen the harvest, so the Holy Spirit is given to carry forward, from one stage to another, the process of spiritual growth. The ripening of the grain represents the completion of the work of God’s grace in the soul. By the power of the Holy Spirit the moral image of God is to be perfected in the character. We are to be wholly transformed into the likeness of Christ."—Testimonies to Ministers, 506.

"Place your mind and will where the Holy Spirit can reach them, for He will not work through another man’s mind and conscience to reach yours. With earnest prayer for wisdom, make the Word of God your study. Take counsel of sanctified reason, surrendered wholly to God."—7 Testimonies, 214.

"This is the danger to which the church is now exposed—that the inventions of finite men shall mark out the precise way for the Holy Spirit to come."—Testimonies to Ministers, 64-65.

"We have an Advocate pleading in our behalf. The Holy Ghost is continually engaged in beholding our course of action."—1 Selected Messages, 96.

"Do not forget that you have a Comforter, the Holy Spirit, which Christ has appointed. You are never alone. If you will listen to the voice that now speaks to you, if you will respond without delay to the knocking at the door of your heart, ‘Come in, Lord Jesus, that I may sup with Thee, and Thee with me,’ the heavenly Guest will enter. When this element, which is all divine, abides with you, there is peace and rest."—Letter 124, 1897 (Adventist Home, 350).

CONTINUE- THREE PERSONS OF THE GODHEAD    GODHEAD TOC