Andov Dejan

"The testimonies themselves will be the key that will explain the messages
given, as scripture is explained by scripture." 1SM 42

"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. God gives sufficient evidence for the candid mind to
believe; but he who turns from the weight of evidence because there are a few
things which he cannot make plain to his finite understanding will be left in the
cold, chilling atmosphere of unbelief and questioning doubts, and will make
shipwreck of faith." 5T 676

Andov Dejan
dejan1888@swordofelijah.org
www.swordofelijah.org
 Sister White wrote on several occasions that the Holy Spirit is "a person." Today, many take these
statements as evidence that she thought that the Holy Spirit is another being like the Father and the Son, the
third member of a Triune God. Here are two of these statements:
"The Holy Spirit is a person, for He beareth witness with our spirits that we are the children of God."
(Ev 616)
"Sin could be resisted and overcome only through the mighty agency of the Third Person of the
Godhead" (DA 671)
On the other hand, there are many other statements which demonstrate beyond doubt that there are only
two divine Beings, Father and Son. Here are a couple of them:
"Christ the Word, the Only Begotten of God, was one with the eternal Father,--one in nature, in character,
and in purpose,--the only being in all the universe that could enter into all the counsels and purposes of God."
(GC 493)
"And in order that the human family might have no excuse because of Satan's temptations, Christ became
one with them. The only Being who was one with God lived the law in humanity."(ST, October 14 1897)
Obviously, when we read that Jesus was "the only Being in all the Universe" who was one with God and
the only Being that could enter into God's plans and purposes, we understand that no other being is a part of
these plans and no other being is one with God. Ellen White, in these statements, speaks only about two divine
Beings.
The following statements support this conclusion:
"The Father and the Son alone are to be exalted" (YI, 7 July 1898)
Here we are told that there are only two divine Beings entitled to our worship, what would be wrong if the
Holy Spirit was a being like the Father or the Son? Read also the following:
"No man, nor even the highest angel, can estimate the great cost; it is known only to the Father and the
Son" (The Bible Echo, October 28. 1895)
If the Spirit is a divine being, separate from the Father and the Son, how is it that he cannot know the price
paid for our salvation?
Further Sister White wrote that only two Beings participated in the great work of creation:
"God, in counsel with His Son, formed the plan of creating man in their own image" (RH, 24 February,
1874)
"The Father and the Son engaged in the mighty, wondrous work they had contemplated--of creating the
world... After the earth was created, and the beasts upon it, the Father and Son carried out their purpose, which
was designed before the fall of Satan, to make man in their own image. They had wrought together in the
creation of the earth and every living thing upon it. And now God said to His Son, "Let us make man in our
image." (SR, 20.21).
"Jesus had united with the Father in making the world." (2T 209)
 "In the beginning the Father and the Son had rested upon the Sabbath after Their work of creation."
(DA 769).
The following quote is also interesting:
"By the power of His love, through obedience, fallen man, a worm of the dust, is to be transformed, fitted
to be a member of the heavenly family, a companion through eternal ages of God and Christ and the holy
angels." (Ms 21, Feb.16, 1900)
If the Spirit is a being or individual, separate from the Father and Son, how can it be that he is not a
companion with man?
She also wrote that the third-ranking person in the universe, following after God and Christ was Lucifer:
"Lucifer in heaven, before his rebellion, was a high and exalted angel, next in honor to God's dear Son"
(SR 13).
"He (Satan) was next to Christ in exaltation and character" (RH, 22 October 1895)
“Sin originated with him who, next to Christ, had been most honored of God and was highest in power
and glory among the inhabitants of heaven." (PP 35)
So, we have two groups of statements which at first glance seem to contradict each other. Ellen White
speaks about two divine Beings and three divine persons. How can we resolve this apparent contradiction?
The main problem in all these discussions, in my opinion, is the disagreement about what constitutes a
being as well as the refusal of many to accept the possibility that Ellen White used the word "person" in a
different manner than it is being used and thought of today.
This controversy is not new. At the beginning of the twentieth century the well known Adventist
physician John Harvey Kellogg had the same problem. In a letter from 1903, addressed to G.I. Butler, former
president of the General Conference, he wrote:
"As far as I can fathom, the difficulty which is found in ‘The Living Temple’, the whole thing may
be simmered down to the question: Is the Holy Ghost a person? You say no. I had supposed the Bible said
this for the reason that the personal pronoun ‘he’ is used in speaking of the Holy Ghost. Sister White uses
the pronoun ‘he’ and has said in so many words that the Holy Ghost is the third person of the Godhead.
How the Holy Ghost can be the third person and not be a person at all is difficult for me to see.”
(Letter from JH Kellogg to GI Butler, 28 October 1903).
In this letter we see that the same issue that we have today about the meaning of the term “person” was at
stake in the understanding of the pioneers. Dr. Kellogg had concluded that the Holy Spirit was a person separate
from the Father and the Son. This was in contradiction with the faith of the church of that period, that the Holy
Spirit was the personal presence of the Father and the Son. Note that Kellogg maintained his position through
the writings of Sister White in the same manner that people in the church today use her writings to support the
Trinity doctrine. However, if sister White were alive today, would she agree with this practice? For us to
determine the possibility that many in the denomination are using the writings of Ellen White in a similarly
condemned manner as did Kellogg, let us first read Butler's response and then compare it with some statements
of sister White on this issue:
“So far as Sister White and you being in perfect agreement, I shall have to leave that entirely between you
and Sister White. Sister White says there is not perfect agreement; you claim there is. I know some of her
remarks seem to give you strong ground for claiming that she does. I am candid enough to say that, but I
must give her the credit until she disowns it of saying there is a difference too, and I do not believe you can
fully tell just what she means." (Letter: G I Butler to J H Kellogg. April 5. 1904)
“There are some who, upon accepting erroneous theories, strive to establish them by collecting from my
writings statements of truth, which they use separated from their proper connection, and perverted by
association with error.” (Letter 136, April 27, 1906, to Brethren Butler, Daniels, and Irwin.)
 “In the controversy that arose among our brethren regarding the teachings of this book (The Living
Temple), those in favor of giving it a wide circulation declared: "It contains the very sentiments that Sister
White has been teaching." This assertion struck right to my heart. I felt heartbroken; for I knew that this
representation of the matter was not true.” (1SM 203)
“I am compelled to speak in denial of the claim that the teachings of "Living Temple" can be
sustained by statements from my writings. There may be in this book expressions and sentiments that are in
harmony with my writings. And there may be in my writings many statements which, taken from their
connection, and interpreted according to the mind of the writer of "Living Temple," would seem to be in
harmony with the teachings of this book. This may give apparent support to the assertion that the sentiments
in "Living Temple" are in harmony with my writings. But God forbid that this sentiment should prevail."(Mar.
Sp. Series B, no. 2, p. 53.54)
The other pioneers did not have any such problem. Read the following statement that may shed light on
our study and reveal the fact that our pioneers understood the word "person" to have different meanings:
“There is one question which has been much controverted in the theological world upon which we have
never presumed to enter. It is that of the personality of the Spirit of God. Prevailing ideas of person are very
diverse, often crude, and the word is differently understood; so that unity of opinion on this point cannot
be expected until all shall be able to define precisely what they mean by the word, or until all shall agree
upon one particular sense in which the word shall be used. But as this agreement does not exist, it seems that
a discussion of the subject cannot be profitable, especially as it is not a question of direct revelation. We have a
right to be positive in our faith and our statements only when the words of Scripture are so direct as to bring the
subject within the range of positive proof. We are not only willing but anxious to leave it just where the word of
God leaves it. From it we learn that the Spirit of God is that awful and mysterious power which proceeds
from the throne of the universe, and which is the efficient actor in the work of creation and of
redemption.” (JH Waggoner, The Spirit of God, It's attributes and manifestations, p. 8, 9, 1877)
From this statement we see that the main problem during the time of the pioneers was not the personality
of the Spirit, but the word "person”. They understood that two people can use that word with two different
understandings in their minds. In fact, sister White was not the only one who wrote that the Spirit was a
"person". There were other pioneers who also wrote it but did not believe that the Spirit was an individual being
like the Father and the Son. Here are two examples:
Q. “Do you think the Spirit of God is a person, or is it simply the power by which God works, and which
he has given to man for his use? “
A. The pronouns used in connection with the Spirit must lead us to conclude that he is a person, the
personality of God which is the source of all power and life."” {S. M. Henry, The Abiding Spirit, 1899.}
“The Spirit of God is a reality. It is as really a living reality as God himself, and is the great moving
agent of God in the establishment and continuation of Christianity in the world" (J. Clarke, RH March 10,
1874) (Although Clarke does not use the word "person", however he says that the Spirit is a "living reality as
God Himself", and a "great agent")
I invite you to study this topic together with me. Let us first understand what constitutes a human being.
To get a proper handle on this, it is necessary to study the creation of man. The Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy
tell us that man was created in the image and likeness of God:
"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." Gen.1: 26.
"There are many issues in our world today in regard to the Creator not being a personal God. God is a
being, and man was made in His image.” (7MR 373)
"God is a spirit; yet He is a personal being, for man was made in His image." (Ed. 131)
How was man made?
1. "The LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground."
2. "...and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul" Gen. 2, 7
 So, God first formed man into a physically-molded entity (body). Then he blew the breath of life into the
form. This breath is what the Bible elsewhere called the spirit (see Zech. 12: 1 and Ecl. 12: 7). When did man
become a living being? The form of man did not become a living being until God breathed the breath of life into
him. So, the physical form and the spirit together make up a being, an individual. In other words, a being has
two parts, aspects, or dimensions: a physical and a spiritual.
For those who doubt that man has a spirit, read the following verses:
“The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and
layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him."Zech. 12: 1
“But there is a spirit in man..." Job 32: 8
“For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him?" 1 Cor. 2: 11
Now, what should concern us in regard to the scope of the subject of the discussion of the meaning of the
term “person” is whether God, like man, has two aspects, a physical form and a spirit. We have seen that man
was created in the image and likeness of God, but to what should we attribute this resemblance? Was it only a
similarity in character or was it also a physical resemblance? Let's see what inspiration says:
1. Does God have a physical form?
“In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the LORD sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and
his train filled the temple.” Isaiah 6: 1
“I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as
snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as
burning fire." Daniel 7: 9
“And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside,
sealed with seven seals.” Revelation 5: 1
“Man was to bear God's image, both in outward resemblance and in character. Christ alone is "the
express image" (Hebrews 1:3) of the Father; but man was formed in the likeness of God.” (PP 45)
“In the beginning, man was created in the likeness of God, not only in character, but in form and feature.”
(GC 644)
“When Adam came from the Creator's hand, he bore, in his physical, mental, and spiritual nature, a
likeness to his Maker.” (Ed. 14)
“Created to be "the image and glory of God" (1 Corinthians 11:7), Adam and Eve had received
endowments not unworthy of their high destiny. Graceful and symmetrical in form, regular and beautiful in
feature, their countenances glowing with the tint of health and the light of joy and hope, they bore in outward
resemblance the likeness of their Maker.” (Ed. 20)
“I asked Jesus if His Father had a form like Himself. He said He had, but I could not behold it, for said
He, "If you should once behold the glory of His person, you would cease to exist.” (EW 55)
2. Does God have a Spirit?
“...And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” Gen. 1: 2
“Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven,
thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there." Ps. 139: 7.8
“Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me." Ps. 51: 11
“The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life." Job 33:4
“But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth,
which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me."John 15: 26
“Without the Holy Spirit, without the breath of God, there is torpidity of conscience, loss of spiritual
life." (4 BC 1166)
 “The Holy Spirit is a free, working, independent agency. The God of heaven uses his Spirit as it pleases
him..." (RH May 5, 1896)
“The greatness of God is to us incomprehensible. "The Lord's throne is in heaven" (Psalm 11:4); yet by
His Spirit He is everywhere present. He has an intimate knowledge of, and a personal interest in, all the works
of His hand... "Whither shall I go from Thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from Thy presence? If I ascend up
into heaven, Thou art there: If I make my bed in the grave behold, Thou art there." (Ed 131)
“The Bible shows us God in His high and holy place, not in a state of inactivity, not in silence and
solitude, but surrounded by ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands of holy beings, all
waiting to do His will. Through these messengers He is in active communication with every part of His
dominion. By His Spirit He is everywhere present. Through the agency of His Spirit and His angels He
ministers to the children of men."(MH 417)
So, the creation story is a lesson about the being of God. God formed a physical form and thereby showed
us that He Himself is not an intangible essence, but a personal being, possessing a physical form. After this, He
breathed the spirit of life in man, and in so doing, has shown that He also has a Spirit. The Bible and the Spirit
of Prophecy together teach that God, like man, has both a physical and spiritual aspect. It should be carefully
attended to that we are now entering into the discussion about the nature of these two aspects! We do not know
the nature of the body or the spirit of God. Here silence is golden. All that we can say is that God is both the
body (physical aspect) and the Spirit (spiritual aspect).
From this we can conclude that the spirit is not another being, or another individual, but rather the non-
physical and spiritual aspect of both man and God.
Now let us focus on another thing, the word "person". Please read the following statement:
“I saw a throne, and on it sat the Father and the Son. I gazed on Jesus' countenance and admired His
lovely person. The Father's person I could not behold, for a cloud of glorious light covered Him. I asked Jesus
if His Father had a form like Himself. He said He had, but I could not behold it, for said He, "If you should once
behold the glory of His person, you would cease to exist."(EW 54)
Sister White admired the "lovely person" of Jesus. In that statement, what did she actually admire? She
was admiring the countenance, the face, and the body of Jesus. Further she said that she could not behold the
"Father's person. Finally, she asked Him if the Father has a form like Himself." Read Jesus' response: "He said
He had, but I could not behold it, for said He, "If you should once behold the glory of His person, you would
cease to exist."
In this statement sister White called the form, the physical aspect of God, His "person". This physical
countenance of God which sits on the throne in heaven is God's person.
But we saw earlier that God has not only a physical form but a spiritual one as well. He possesses a Spirit
through which He can be present in all places at one particular time. What is this Spirit? Is it something
impersonal, a mere power or energy that comes from the person or being of God which fills the whole universe?
Is it something that can be manipulated by man? The Bible is very clear that God's Spirit has personal
characteristics. He moves, talks, may be upset, insulted etc… In other words, God’s spirit is a living, personal
entity and not some alien, impersonal power or energy. This means that the Spirit of God is as much a person as
the physical form of God is a person. But pay close attention to the distinguishing fact that this is not a separate
being from God, ostensibly a third member of a trinity. He is the person of God through which He is present
everywhere and by which He fulfills his plans. Please consider the following statements:
“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing; the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit,
and they are life." Christ is not here referring to his doctrine, but to his person, the divinity of his character."
(RH April 5, 1906)
Here sister White says that when Jesus speaks of the Spirit who gives life (which is the Holy Spirit), He
refers to his person, the divinity of his character (see 1 Cor. 15, 45, 2 Cor. 3, 6. 17). Here we have a clear
example where Mrs. White used the word "person" with a different sense than that of a "being". The following
statement also confirms the truth that the Spirit is the person or the character of an individual:
 “Our personal identity is preserved in the resurrection, though not the same particles of matter or
material substance as went into the grave. The wondrous works of God are a mystery to man. The spirit, the
character of man, is returned to God, there to be preserved. In the resurrection every man will have his own
character. God in His own time will call forth the dead, giving again the breath of life, and bidding the dry
bones live."(6BC 1093) (please read the letter of Willie White at the end of this article)
Now, after all that we have seen so far, we can define the word "person" as:
1. A physical being, an individual
2. The phsysical or non-physical aspect of a being. His nature, character or personality. (See:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/person) webster.com / dictionary / person)
Because many Adventists have misunderstood both the second definition (#2 above) as well as what
constitutes a being, they have similarly been compelled to misunderstand statements from Sister White in cases
where she has referred to the Holy Spirit as a “person”.
Let us look further at some statements from the Spirit of Prophecy on this topic:
“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
the 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 a man, save the spirit of man
which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God." (Ev. 617)
For many, this statement is one of the strongest evidences that the Holy Spirit is a being just as the Father
and the Son are personal Beings, but a careful analysis will prove to us that this statement actually rejects such
an idea.
Ellen White says that "the Holy Spirit is a person" and that He "has a personality." Why? What is the
evidence that the Holy Spirit is "a person" and that "He has a personality? Because He "bears witness". In other
words, if the Spirit is not a person and has no personality, he could not bear witness. An impersonal power or
energy cannot bear witness. Only something that is personal and that has a personality can bring an effective
witness. She says this very clear: “The Holy Spirit has a personality, else He could not bear witness”. Now
read the quotation carefully and notice that the Holy Spirit is not alone when He bears witness but our own
spirit is bearing witness together with him - " for He beareth witness with our spirits".
What then is our spirit? Following the context of the statement mentioned above, only a person can bear
witness. If the Holy Spirit is “a person” and “has a personality" because he bears witness, then our spirit is also
“a person” and “has a personality” because it bears witness together with the Holy Spirit! But is my spirit some
other being than I? Certainly not! It is a part of me, my inner nature, my person, and my character. The same is
true in the understanding of the Holy Spirit. It is not another being, but God Himself. Sister White says this very
clearly:
“In giving us His Spirit, God gives us Himself, making Himself a fountain of divine influences, to give
health and life to the world." (7T 273)
The last part of the statement says that the Spirit "must also be a divine person, else He could not search
out the secrets which lie hidden in the mind of God."
The key for this quotation is the verse from 1 Cor. 2:11 which sister White quoted: "For what man
knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God knoweth no
man, but the Spirit of God."
Acording to the words of Paul, the man and his spirit are comparable to God and His Spirit. What is true
about the human spirit for the man is the same as God's Spirit is to Himself. As the human spirit is not a
different individual than the man himself, the same the Spirit of God is not another person than himself.
Otherwise, the verse would make sense.
The following statement is from "Education", page 131:
 “The greatness of God is to us incomprehensible. “The Lord's throne is in heaven” (Psalm 11:4); yet
by His Spirit He is everywhere present. He has an intimate knowledge of, and a personal interest in, all the
works of His hand... "Whither shall I go from Thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from Thy presence? If I ascend
up into heaven, Thou art there: If I make my bed in the grave behold, Thou art there." (Ed 131)
Sister White says here that God sits on His throne in heaven. The Lord dwells in His sanctuary. There
angels see His glory and worship Him. But is this all that is God? No, she continues: "...yet by His Spirit He is
everywhere present”.
In this statement the Spirit of Prophecy speaks about the two personal aspects of God, the physical by
which He sits on the throne and the spiritual by which He is everywhere present in the universe. God's spiritual
presence with us on this earth is just as much personal as is His physical presence on the throne of heaven. Read
also the following statement, where again the Spirit is called the presence of the Infinite One:
“The psalmist represents the presence of the Infinite One as pervading the universe. "If I ascend up into
Heaven, thou art there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there." We can never find a solitude where
God is not. The ever watchful eye of Omniscience is upon all our works, and although he can marshal the
armies of Heaven to do his will, he condescends to accept the services of frail, erring mortals." (ST, July 14,
1881)
If we are careful to consider the previous points, we might detect the danger of the doctrine of the Trinity.
If the Holy Spirit is not a part of the being of the Father and His omnipresence, but rather some separate
individual, as alleged by the doctrine of the Trinity, this would mean that the Father is not omnipresent by
Himself but that He needs some surrogate being through which to accomplish His omnipresence. This would
make the Father a more limited and inferior being than the Spirit and this is one of the reasons why the doctrine
of the Trinity should be considered an attack on the person of God. These facts should enable us to determine
the true nature of what the Trinity is in actuality; a deadly heresy. It may even be safe to say there is none
deadlier.
Perhaps some will ask why sister White sometimes called the Holy Spirit the "third person of the
Godhead". In short, this is because the Spirit is the third personal agency through which God reveals Himself
to His creation.
1. Firstly, God reveals Himself as a physical being sitting on His throne in the heavenly sanctuary. He is
the only true God and Sovereign of the universe from whom all things come and who is the source of all
existence and of any law:
“God alone is represented as great. In the vision of the prophet He is seen casting down one mighty
ruler and setting up another. He is revealed as the monarch of the universe, about to set up His everlasting
kingdom--the Ancient of days, the living God, the Source of all wisdom, the Ruler of the present, the Revealer
of the future." (16MR. 333)
„The Ancient of Days is God the Father... It is He, the source of all being, and the fountain of all law,
that is to preside in the judgment." (GC 479).
2. God reveals Himself through His Son, who is a perfect image of His person so that wherever was the
presence of His Son, it was as His own presence.
“As Jehovah, the supreme Ruler, God could not personally communicate with sinful men, but He so loved
the world that He sent Jesus to our world as a revelation of Himself." (9MR, 122)
“The Father then made known that it was ordained by Himself that Christ, His Son, should be equal with
Himself; so that wherever was the presence of His Son, it was as His own presence. The word of the Son was
to be obeyed as readily as the word of the Father. His Son He had invested with authority to command the
heavenly host. Especially was His Son to work in union with Himself in the anticipated creation of the earth and
every living thing that should exist upon the earth. His Son would carry out His will and His purposes but
would do nothing of Himself alone. The Father's will would be fulfilled in Him." (SR 13)
“As a personal being, God has revealed Himself in His Son." (Ed 131)
 “The Lord God of heaven is our King. He is a leader whom we can safely follow, for He never makes a
mistake. Let us honor God and His Son, through whom He communicates with the world." 8T 238
3. Finally, God reveals Himself through His Spirit, which, regardless of His bodily form, is everywhere.
By His Spirit, God has access to all creation in the universe, even if He is not present physically.
“In giving us His Spirit, God gives us Himself, making Himself a fountain of divine influences, to give
health and life to the world." (7T 273)
“The Lord's throne is in heaven" (Psalm 11:4); yet by His Spirit He is everywhere present." (Ed 131)
So from these statements we can say that we have:
a) Only one God, who is a personal Being, the Father.
b) Two divine Beings, the Father and the Son.
c) Three divine persons (expressions of the divine nature), Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Further, the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy recognize the divine unity of the Father and Son by the fact that
both have the same Spirit. In other words, the Holy Spirit is both the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ. Paul,
in Romans 8, 9 says, "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.
Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his". Ellen White sustains the same:
“From eternity there was a complete unity between the Father and the Son. They were two, yet little short
of being identical; two in individuality, yet one in spirit, and heart, and character." (YI, December 16, 1897)
“Jesus is seeking to impress upon them the thought that in giving his Holy Spirit he is giving to them
the glory which the Father has given him, that he and his people may be one in God." (ST, 3 October 1892)
So we see that the Father and the Son are two Beings who share the same Spirit. Therefore the Spirit is the
Spirit of the Father and the Spirit of the Son. Understanding this, let’s read the following quote:
“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 would
represent Himself as present in all places by His Holy Spirit, as the Omnipresent." (14MR 23)
Sister White makes it clear here that the Holy Spirit is Jesus Christ Himself divested of the personality of
humanity. In other words, Jesus today ministers in the heavenly sanctuary in the human body (human
personality), but by His Spirit (divine personality), He is the minister in the church on earth. He is the same
individual but possessing two personalities. Here is the evidence:
“While Jesus ministers in the sanctuary above, He is still by His Spirit the minister of the church on
earth. He is withdrawn from the eye of sense, but His parting promise is fulfilled, "Lo, I am with you alway,
even unto the end of the world." Matthew 28:20. While He delegates His power to inferior ministers, His
energizing presence is still with His church." (DA 166)
The Holy Spirit here is called the "energizing presence" of Jesus. Now read the quotation again where
sister White wrote clearly that this "energizing presence" of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, is his own person, the
divinity of His character:
“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing; the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit,
and they are life." Christ is not here referring to his doctrine, but to his person, the divinity of his character."
(RH April 5, 1906)
Finally, here is how sister White described the heavenly trio and who the Holy Spirit is in following
statement:
"They have one God and one Saviour; and one Spirit - the Spirit of Christ - is to bring unity into their
ranks." (9T 189)
Conclusion:
 1. Man is a personal being who has a body (physical aspect) and a spirit (non-physical aspect).
2. God is a personal being who, like man, has a body (physical aspect) and a Spirit (non-physical aspect).
3. The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal power or energy, but the non-physical aspect of God, His person,
by which is He present everywhere. It is not a being separated from the Father and the Son as the doctrine
of the Trinity teaches.
4. The Holy Spirit is the third personal agent through which God reveals Himself and this is why it is
called the "third person of the Godhead."

*****
Below we present a correspondence between H.W. Carr and Willie White from the year 1935. Bothered
by the heated discussions within the Church on the issue of the Trinity, brother Carr, a young worker, wrote to
Willie White and asked him about the position of his mother and about his position on the personality of the
Holy Spirit. Who was Willie White? He was the third son of James and Ellen White. He was baptized at 12 and
began denominational work at 20, assisting his father in the publishing work. After his father’s death in 1881,
certain responsibilities of assisting his mother in her travels and in the publishing of her books fell on his
shoulders. It was a responsibility that would gradually become his principle occupation. Sister White wrote
about him:
“It was also shown me that my son, W. C. White, should be my helper and counselor, and that the Lord
would place on him the spirit of wisdom and of a sound mind. I was shown that the Lord would guide him, and
that he would not be led away, because he would recognize the leadings and guidance of the Holy Spirit. The
assurance was given me: …'The Lord will be your instructor. You will meet with deceptive influences; they
will come in many forms, in pantheism and other forms of infidelity; but follow where I shall guide you, and
you will be safe. I will put My Spirit upon your son, and will strengthen him to do his work. He has the grace
of humility. The Lord has selected him to act an important part in His work. For this purpose was he born.”
(1SM, pp. 54, 55)
Surely if someone knew what sister White believed it was her son Willie. From his response to the letter
of Carr we can see that he did not agree with those who in 1935 argued that His mother taught the doctrine of
the Trinity even though she used the words "person" and "personality" to refer to the Holy Spirit. Read these
letters:

H. W. CARR
SUPT. LOCKPORT DISTRICT
164 SAXTON STREET
LOCKPORT. N. Y.
Jan.24 1935
Eld. W. C. White
St. Helena, Calif.

Dear Elder White

Your recent reminder of the efficient provision for carrying forward Sr. Whites work, and the gems of
thought which accompanied your announcement is very much appreciated, “She being dead yet speaketh”. God
has lead this people on, and is still leading, through his chosen servant, for which we praise Him.
 In the first pages of Great Controversy it is stated that the “Father had an associate – a co worker… The
only being that could enter into all the councils and purposes of God. “The Father wrought by His son in the
creation of all heavenly beings… “He holds supremacy over them all. “Sin originated with Satan, who next to
Christ had been most honoured of God, and was highest in power and Glory among the inhabitants of heaven.
“Next to Christ he was first among the hosts of God. The Son of God had wrought the Father’s will in the
creation of all the hosts of heaven. “The Son of God was exalted above Satan as one in power and authority
with the Father. Christ created Satan. Ezekiel 28:15.
It is urged by some of our leaders now that The Holy Spirit is a third person of the same nature of the
Father and son, a member of the heavenly trio, cooperative in creation and personally active with the Father and
son. For many years I have used these statements Of (sic) Sr. White in combating false teachings relative to
defining the Holy Spirit.
Will you kindly tell me what you understand was your mother’s position in refference (sic) to the
personality of the Holy Spirit.
Do Sister White’s writings anywhere teach that prayer should be addressed solely to the Father, or that we
should not address Christ in prayer but only through the Father?
Does she anywhere tell what that power is that “shall plant the tabernacle of his palace between the seas in
the glorious holy mountain? Daniel 11:45
I know Brother White you would not depart from your mother’s teachings, and that you have as perfect an
understanding of them as any one. I shall appreciate your opinion very much.
Assuring you of the high esteem and respect I have had from my childhood in your father, mother and
family,

I am very truly yours in the blessed faith,

H. W. Carr

Letter from W. C. White to H. W. Carr

April 30th 1935

Elder H. W. Carr
164 Saxton Street
Lockport
New York

Dear Brother Carr

I hold in my hand your letter of January 24. For some months I have been so heavily pressed with work
connected with manuscripts which we were preparing for the printer that my correspondence has had to wait.
In your letter you request me to tell you what I understand to be my mother’s position in reference to the
personality of the Holy Spirit.
 This I cannot do because I never clearly understood her teachings on the matter. There always was in my
mind some perplexity regarding the meaning of her utterances which to my superficial manner of thinking
seemed to be somewhat confused. I have often regretted that I did not possess that keenness of mind that could
solve this and similar perplexities, and then remembering what Sister White wrote in “Acts of the Apostles,”
pages 51 and 52, “regarding such mysteries which are too deep for human understanding, silence is golden,” I
have thought best to refrain from discussion and have endeavoured to direct my mind to matters easy to be
understood.
As I read the Bible, I find that the risen Saviour breathed on the disciples (John 20:22) “and saith unto
them, ‘receive ye the Holy Ghost.” The conception received from this Scripture, seems to be in harmony with
the statement in “Desire of Ages”, page 669, also Genesis 1:2; with Luke 1:4; with Acts 2:4 and also 8:15 and
10:44. Many other texts might be referred to which seem to be in harmony with this statement in the “Desire of
Ages.”
The statements and the arguments of some of our ministers in their effort to prove that the Holy
Spirit was an individual as are God, the father and Christ, the eternal Son, have perplexed me and
sometimes they have made me sad. One popular teacher said “we may regard Him, (the Holy Spirit) as the
fellow who is down here running things.”
My perplexities were lessened a little when I learned from the dictionary that one of the meanings of
personality, was characteristics. It is stated in such a way that I concluded that there might be personality
without bodily form which is possessed by the Father and the Son.
There are many Scriptures which speak of the Father and the Son and the absence of Scripture making
similar reference to the united work of the Father and the Holy Spirit or of Christ and the Holy Spirit, has led
me to believe that the spirit without individuality was the representative of the Father and the Son
throughout the universe, and it was through the Holy Spirit that they dwell in our hearts and make us
one with the Father and with the Son.
My answer to your second question “Does Sister White’s writings anywhere teach that prayer should only
be addressed to the Father, or that we should not address Christ in prayer, only through the Father,” is that I
think not. I have not found such teachings in Ellen White’s writings.
Your third question “Does she anywhere tell what the power is that “shall plant the tabernacle of His
palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain?” I must answer in the same way, I think not. We have
not found any statement regarding this in Sister White’s writings nor do we remember any statement made
orally in our presence.
Enclosed with this brief and unsatisfactory letter, you will find our News Letter of April 4.
I pray that you may have help from heaven in studying that which is necessary to be known and patience
to wait for the revelation of that regarding which we are now in some uncertainty.

With kind regards, I remain,

Sincerely your brother,
W. C. White