How many living persons of the Heavenly Trio?
Ephesians 4:4-6 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
For our Adventist bretheren, Ellen White confirms:
There are three living persons of the heavenly trio; in the name of these three great powers—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—those who receive Christ by living faith are baptized, and these powers will co-operate with the obedient subjects of heaven in their efforts to live the new life in Christ.—Special Testimonies, Series B, No. 7, pp. 62, 63. (1905)” Evangelism, 615.
Note: There are THREE living persons of the heavenly trio.
- There is one Spirit which is the Holy Ghost (John 7:39)
- There is one Lord which is Jesus Christ (Acts 11:17)
- There is one God the Father (Ephesians 6:23)
- ONE + ONE + ONE = THREE
The scriptures clearly confirms that there are three living persons of the Heavenly Godhead.
Who are the three living persons?
Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost
1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
“The eternal Godhead—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost—is involved in the action required to make assurance to the human agent.”— Upward Look, 148.
The scriptures clearly confirms that there are three living persons of the Heavenly Godhead.
Who are the three living persons?
Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost
1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
“The eternal Godhead—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost—is involved in the action required to make assurance to the human agent.”— Upward Look, 148.
Are the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, God?
The Father is God - 2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God [the Father], and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
The Son is God - John 1: 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The Holy Ghost is God - Acts 5:3-4 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, ..... thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
Note: The Three are God -- Hence the word of God describes a THREE PERSON GODHEAD.
Does the Three who are GOD have a beginning? Does God have a beginning?
Psalm 90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.
The Son is God - John 1: 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The Holy Ghost is God - Acts 5:3-4 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, ..... thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
Note: The Three are God -- Hence the word of God describes a THREE PERSON GODHEAD.
Does the Three who are GOD have a beginning? Does God have a beginning?
Psalm 90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.
“The eternal heavenly dignitaries—God, and Christ, and the Holy Spirit—arming them [the disciples] with more than mortal energy . . would advance with them to the work and convince the world of sin.”—Evangelism, 616.
Note: The Three are from everlasting and there never was a time that they were not in close fellowship with each other.
What else does the word of God say about these Three members?
John 10:30 I and my Father are one.
1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
Note: The bible says that the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost are ONE or God is ONE LORD.
Is the Lord Jesus and God the Father one and the same person?
John 8:16 And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.
John 8:17-18 It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.
Note: Jesus says he is not alone because the Father and the Son are certainly two distinct persons.
Is the Lord Jesus and God the Father one and the same person?
John 8:16 And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.
John 8:17-18 It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.
Note: Jesus says he is not alone because the Father and the Son are certainly two distinct persons.
Is the Holy Spirit and Jesus one and the same person?
If Jesus is the Holy Spirit, then the following verse would contradict itself:
Matthew 12:32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
Let's for a moment say that Jesus is the promised Holy Spirit. Let's rewrite this verse again, but this time with "Son of man" replaced with the Holy Ghost:
Matthew 12:32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Holy Ghost, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
If Jesus is the Holy Spirit, then the following verse would contradict itself:
Matthew 12:32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
Let's for a moment say that Jesus is the promised Holy Spirit. Let's rewrite this verse again, but this time with "Son of man" replaced with the Holy Ghost:
Matthew 12:32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Holy Ghost, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
“The Holy Spirit is the Comforter, in Christ’s name. He [the Holy Spirit] personifies Christ, yet is a distinct personality.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 20, 324
Note: The Son and the Holy Ghost are not, one and the same person.
Is the Holy Spirit and the Father, one and the same person?
Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Romans chapter 8:34 mentions that there is another Person who pleads for us, and that is why Christ Jesus is mentioned as ‘also’ pleading [maketh intercession].
Who is this other person who is pleading with God the Father?Romans 8:26,27 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God [the Father].
The other person who is pleading [maketh intercession] is the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is pleading with God the Father. Therefore, He cannot be the Father or extension of him, for he is not pleading with himself.
Romans chapter 8:34 mentions that there is another Person who pleads for us, and that is why Christ Jesus is mentioned as ‘also’ pleading [maketh intercession].
Who is this other person who is pleading with God the Father?Romans 8:26,27 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God [the Father].
The other person who is pleading [maketh intercession] is the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is pleading with God the Father. Therefore, He cannot be the Father or extension of him, for he is not pleading with himself.
The bible says the Father and the Son are ONE. How are they ONE according to scriptures?
John 17:20-21 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be ONE; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
John 10:30 I and my Father are ONE.
"Christ, the Word, the only begotten of God, was one with the eternal Father--one in nature, in character, in purpose.."–PP. page 35"
Note: ONE here is UNITY. They are [the Father, the Son and the Spirit] are one in purpose, in mind, in character, but not in person.
Where else does the bible equate ONE with UNITY?
Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be ONE flesh.
Note: Here we have two separate individuals, yet these two are to be "one" flesh. This does not mean they were some kind of weird, monstrous looking beings with two heads but one flesh. No, this means they were to be one in unity.
Is the doctrine of a Three person Godhead only a New Testament idea?
Isaiah 48:16 Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord GOD, and his Spirit, hath sent me
Numbers 6:24-26 The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
Note: LORD + LORD + LORD = THREE
And yet, the [THREE] LORD our God is:
Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD
1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
Note: God’s plurality is revealed in “ALL scripture”, not just in the New Testament.
Lord our God is how many according to scriptures?
Mark 12:29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments [is], Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is ONE LORD
Note: Lord our God is ONE LORD according to scripture.
Who comprises 'ONE Lord' according to scriptures?
1 Cor 8:6 But to us [there is but] one God, the Father, of whom [are] all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom [are] all things, and we by him.
2 Cor 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord[is], there [is] liberty.
Luk 10:21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth...
Note:
- The Father is Lord our God
- The Son is Lord our God
- The Spirit is Lord our God
And yet, the bible makes it plain that the Lord our God is ONE LORD - one here once again refers to UNITY.
Note: ONE here is UNITY. They are [the Father, the Son and the Spirit] are one in purpose, in mind, in character, but not in person.
Where else does the bible equate ONE with UNITY?
Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be ONE flesh.
Note: Here we have two separate individuals, yet these two are to be "one" flesh. This does not mean they were some kind of weird, monstrous looking beings with two heads but one flesh. No, this means they were to be one in unity.
Is the doctrine of a Three person Godhead only a New Testament idea?
Isaiah 48:16 Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord GOD, and his Spirit, hath sent me
Numbers 6:24-26 The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
Note: LORD + LORD + LORD = THREE
And yet, the [THREE] LORD our God is:
Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD
1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
Note: God’s plurality is revealed in “ALL scripture”, not just in the New Testament.
Lord our God is how many according to scriptures?
Mark 12:29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments [is], Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is ONE LORD
Note: Lord our God is ONE LORD according to scripture.
Who comprises 'ONE Lord' according to scriptures?
1 Cor 8:6 But to us [there is but] one God, the Father, of whom [are] all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom [are] all things, and we by him.
2 Cor 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord[is], there [is] liberty.
Luk 10:21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth...
Note:
- The Father is Lord our God
- The Son is Lord our God
- The Spirit is Lord our God
And yet, the bible makes it plain that the Lord our God is ONE LORD - one here once again refers to UNITY.
Who is the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost?
- The Father is the Giver (James 1:17, Heb. 6:4, I Co 7:7, Rom 6:23)
- The Son the is the Gift (John 4:10, Rom 5:17, Rom 6:23)
- The Holy Ghost is the Bearer of the Gift (I Corinthians 12:4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 28, 29, 30, Gal 5:22, 23).
Conclusion: There are three living persons in the heavenly trio; a plurality of divine persons in the scriptures, and these are only three. This is not Polytheism, for these three are also ONE [God] both in essence and in agreement, purpose and truth. Polytheism is a belief in many separate gods who are different either in essence or nature (ex. Hercules) and/or purpose and agreement (ex. Zeus verses Hades).