The BRI (Biblical Research Institute) put together a document that was considered by Daniel Mesa. This is part two of two.
Notes:
II. Eternal Pre-existence of Christ1. Distinct Existence From Eternity.—”The Lord Jesus Christ, the divine Son of God, existed from eternity, a distinct person, yet one with the Father. He was the surpassing glory of heaven. He was the commander of the heavenly intelligences, and the adoring homage of the angels was received by him as his right. This was no robbery of God.”—The Review and Herald, April 5, 1906 , p. 8.
He received “adoring homage” when His Father commanded the angels to worship Him. (See number 12 in section I)
Consider the verse that is being quoted, “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:6-7).
2. Always With Eternal God.—”In speaking of His pre-existence, Christ carries the mind back through dateless ages. He assures us that there never was a time when He was not in close fellowship with the eternal God. He to whose voice the Jews were then listening had been with God as one brought up with Him.”—The Signs of the Times, Aug. 29, 1900.
What is so interesting about this quote—which seems ignored nearly every time—is the fact that Proverbs 8 is quoted in the last sentence. Just as the Proverbs 8 paragraph was left out in number 6 in section I.
“Dateless ages” is another way of saying “eternity,” or a period without dates. In that ‘time’ Christ was “brought forth” as it says twice in Proverbs 8.
3. Unmeasured Pre-existence.—”Here Christ shows them that, although they might reckon His life to be less than fifty years, yet His divine life could not be reckoned by human computation. The existence of Christ before His incarnation is not measured by figures.”—The Signs of the Times, May 3, 1899.
Notice, she didn’t say, “could not be reckoned at all…” Or, she did not say, “is not measured by any means…” She could easily have worded this to have no ways of misunderstanding—she could have said, “His divine life had no beginning.” BUT SHE DIDN’T! She makes it clear that Christ was begotten, and does not contradict herself—ever!
Some have come to place more meaning into the words of this paragraph than what was intended by the Author (See 1 Peter 1:10-11).
4. United From All Eternity.—”From all eternity Christ was united with the Father, and when He took upon Himself human nature, He was still one with God.”—The Signs of the Times, Aug. 2, 1905, p. 10.
“From” is not the same as “through” or “throughout” in the writings of EGW. (See number 6 in section I.)
Also, being ‘one’ doesn’t mean being a singular person, but rather, “two in individuality, yet one in spirit, and heart, and character.” YI December 16, 1897, par. 5
5. Glory From All Eternity.—”When Christ passed within the heavenly gates, He was enthroned amidst the adoration of the angels. As soon as this ceremony was completed, the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples in rich currents, and Christ was indeed glorified, even with the glory which He had with the Father from all eternity.”—The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 38, 39.
This is more evidence that the gift of His omnipresent Spirit was given at Pentecost. Again, “from” is not the same as “through” or “throughout” in the writings of EGW.
6. Mediator From Everlasting.—”But while God’s Word speaks of the humanity of Christ when upon this earth, it also speaks decidedly regarding his pre-existence. The Word existed as a divine being, even as the eternal Son of God, in union and oneness with his Father. From everlasting he was the Mediator of the covenant, the one in whom all nations of the earth, both Jews and Gentiles, if they accepted him, were to be blessed. “The Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Before men or angels were created, the Word was with God, and was God.”—The Review and Herald, April 5, 1906 .
“From” is not the same as “through” or “throughout” in the writings of EGW. Also, eternity has a beginning to move forward without end. For example, when did your eternal life begin?
7. Never-ending and Ever-existing.—”A human being lives, but his is a given life, a life that will be quenched. ‘What is your life? It is even vapor, that appeareth for a little time , and then vanisheth away.’ But Christ’s life is not a vapor; it is never-ending, a life existing before the worlds were made.”—The Signs of the Times, June 17, 1897, p. 5.
This says nothing of Christ’s existing throughout eternity past, but rather “before the worlds were made.” Also, His life was given Him, “As the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself” (John 5:26).
8. From the Days of Eternity.—”From the days of eternity the Lord Jesus Christ was one with the Father; He was ‘the image of God,’ the image of His greatness and majesty, ‘the outshining of His glory.'”—The Desire of Ages, p. 19.
The word “image” as taken from Hebrews 1:3, literally, “engraving, exact copy.” Yet, they are “little short of being identical.” YI December 16, 1897, par. 5
9. Before Angels Were Created.—”He was one with the Father before the angels were created.”—The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, p. 17.
This is true also because of what is said in the Bible, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:1-3). But this cannot annihilate what EGW says about Christ being begotten.
1 0. Was From All Eternity.—”Christ was God essentially, and in the highest sense. He was with God from all eternity, God over all, blessed forevermore.”—The Review and Herald, April 5, 1906 , p. 8.
If EGW would use the words “through” or “throughout” as this study suggests she means “from,” there would be a different conclusion. But those words are not used interchangeably.
11. Christ the Eternal Presence.—”The name of God, given to Moses to express the idea of the eternal presence, had been claimed as His own by this Galilean Rabbi. He had announced Himself to be the self-existent One, He who had been promised to Israel, ‘whose goings forth have been from of old, from the days of eternity.’ Micah 5:2, margin.”—The Desire of Ages, pp. 469, 470.
Micah 5:2 is quite often used along side Proverbs 8 by EGW. Please read Patriarch and Prophets page 34.1. That is one example. Notice also the only other time the Hebrew phrase “goings forth” is used, “They brake down the image of Baal, and brake down the house of Baal, and made it a draught house unto this day” (2 Kings 10:27). The word #4163 in Hebrew Strong’s means, “family descent; also a sewer (marg.; compare 6675):—draught house; going forth.” When comparing #6675, we come away with “excrement” translated “dung.”
I like rather to think that Eve’s ‘going forth’ from Adam’s side is a better illustration of Christ’s being “brought forth” from the Father, as stated in Proverbs 8. Nevertheless, that’s what is being said.
There is also the idea of the stone being cut out of the mountain without hands. This could easily fit along side the idea of Eve being brought forth from the side of Adam, and the Lord’s “goings forth” from the Father. “The Eternal Father, the unchangeable one, gave his only begotten Son, tore from his bosom Him who was made in the express image of his person.” RH July 9, 1895, par. 13
12. Equal From the Beginning.—”In it [God’s Word] we may learn what our redemption has cost Him who from the beginning was equal with the Father.”—Counsels to Parents and Teachers, p. 13.
III. Three Persons in the Godhead1. Three Persons in Heavenly Trio.—”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 [a New Testament practice other than through the Red Sea], and these powers will co-operate with the obedient subjects of heaven in their efforts to live the new life in Christ.”—Evangelism, p. 615.
What’s amazing is how the book Evangelism so often leaves out the context. For example, I’ll make blue what was left out: “The Comforter that Christ promised to send after He ascended to heaven, is the Spirit in all the fulness of the Godhead, making manifest the power of divine grace to all who receive and believe in Christ as a personal Saviour. 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. Ms21-1906.11
The third person of the Godhead was given as a gift at Pentecost. Before that the spirit was “in all the fullness of the Godhead.” (See number 16 in section I.)
2. Godhead United in Redemption.—”The Godhead was stirred with pity for the race, and the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit gave themselves to the working out of the plan of redemption.”Counsels on Health, p. 222.
The Godhead (the Father being the fullness, and Son being the fullness, with the Spirit IN them) gave themselves to the “working out” of THE plan, not A plan, as the plan had already been made, in “the counsel of peace… between Them both.” In the working out of the plan, the Father and Son both decided that the Son would give His omnipresent Spirit—therefore, the Spirit is mentioned, having not yet been “divested of the personality of humanity and independent thereof.” Notice the 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 word “successor” cannot mean someone who comes before, but only afterward]. The Holy Spirit is Himself [that would be Christ, as clarified in the next sentence], divested of the personality of humanity, and independent thereof. Christ would represent Himself as present in all places by His Holy Spirit,—as the Omnipresent. “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall [although unseen by you] teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. . . . Nevertheless, I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away, for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you.” Present Truth, May 30, 1895, par. 7
Notice in blue what was left out of the quote in question: “The Godhead was stirred with pity for the race, and the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit gave Themselves to the working out of the plan of redemption. In order fully to carry out this plan, it was decided that Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, should give Himself an offering for sin [both physically (on the cross) and spiritually (by giving His Spirit)]. What line can measure the depth of this love? God would make it impossible for man to say that He could have done more. With Christ He gave all the resources of heaven, that nothing might be wanting in the plan for man’s uplifting. Here is love—the contemplation of which should fill the soul with inexpressible gratitude! Oh, what love, what matchless love! The contemplation of this love will cleanse the soul from all selfishness. It will lead the disciple to deny self, take up the cross, and follow the Redeemer.” CH 222.2
The phrase “all the resources” sounds a lot like the blessings given by the Spirit, “Only to those who wait humbly upon God, who watch for His guidance and grace, is the Spirit given. The power of God awaits their demand and reception. This promised blessing, claimed by faith, brings all other blessings in its train. It is given according to the riches of the grace of Christ, and He is ready to supply every soul according to the capacity to receive.” DA 672.1
Christ gave His Spirit at Pentecost.
3. Three Great Powers of Heaven.—”Those who proclaim the third angel’s message must put on the whole armor of God, that they may stand boldly at their post, in the face of detraction and falsehood, fighting the good fight of faith, resisting the enemy with the word, ‘It is written.’ Keep yourselves where the three great powers of heaven, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, can be your efficiency. These powers work with the one who gives himself unreservedly to God. The strength of heaven is at the command of God’s believing ones. The man who takes God as his trust is barricaded by an impregnable wall.”—The Southern Watchman, Feb. 23, 1904 , p. 122.
Why do we only see two stacks of six loaves of bread on the table of shewbread? Why not three stacks with four loaves in each? Because the Spirit doesn’t have a place on the throne. If there were three stacks of bread, it would be more like 6, 6, 6. (There are also two crowns on the table of shewbread—separated by a hands breadth). Why doesn’t the Spirit have a crown?
Yes, there are three, but somehow I don’t believe we’re being taught all of the truth. Something is missing in this study… Christ has given His Spirit, and that is precisely why He mentioned Himself nearly every of the 84 times in the gospels as the “Son of man,” speaking of Himself in the grammatical third person.
Remember “Christ gave His representative, the third person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit” at Pentecost. (See Ms44-1898.11)
4. Cooperation of Three Imperative.—”Our sanctification is the work of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is the fulfillment of the covenant that God has made with those who bind themselves up with Him, to stand with Him, with His Son, and with His Spirit in holy fellowship. Have you been born again? Have you become a new being in Christ Jesus? Then co-operate with the three great powers of heaven who are working in your behalf. Doing this you will reveal to the world the principles of righteousness.”—The Signs of the Times, June 19, 1901.
“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 [Himself], and through all [His Son], and in you all [His Spirit]” (Ephesians 4:4-6). Just as mentioned in the above quote.
There is ONE throne for the Father and the Son. The “living waters” (the Holy Spirit according to John 7:38-39) “clear as crystal, proceed[s] out of the throne of God and of the Lamb” (Revelation 22:1).
Ultimately, “the Spirit of truth, [is] which proceedeth from the Father…” (John 15:26).
“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.” Desire of Ages 166.2
5. Three Eternal Dignitaries.—”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, p. 616.
Eternal? Do we have eternal life? If we do, have we existed throughout eternity past? Or did our eternal life start when we excepted the gift of the One who ‘gives’ us the life that is “original, unborrowed, underived?” See 1 John 5:11 to see that God the Father gives us that life. 0/
6. The Three Highest Powers.—”We are to co-operate with the three highest powers in heaven,—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost,—and these powers will work through us, making us workers together with God.”—Ibid., p. 617.
I believe the above, but what would the authors of this study do with the quotes which say the following?
“Lucifer in heaven, before his rebellion, was a high and exalted angel, next in honor to God’s dear Son” (SR 13.1).
“Of Gabriel the Saviour speaks in the Revelation, saying that “He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John.” Revelation 1:1. And to John the angel declared, “I am a fellow servant with thee and with thy brethren the prophets.” Revelation 22:9, R. V. Wonderful thought—that the angel who stands next in honor to the Son of God is the one chosen to open the purposes of God to sinful men” (DA 99.1).
Could that mean that there is NOT the Father, Son, and Spirit as the three most honored? Yes, that’s what it means. But what does THAT mean? The three most honored beings in Heaven today are the Father, the Son, and Gabriel. The Spirit of God is not a being, else it too would have been invited into the counsels of peace which were between the Father and the Son. (Remember, the Spirit is IN all the fullness of the Godhead—the Father and the Son each independently having that fullness.)
7. The Threefold Name .—”Those who are baptized in the threefold name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, at the very entrance of their Christian life declare publicly that they have forsaken the service of Satan, and have become members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King.”—Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 91.
Baptizing them in the “name” is singular in the Bible reference of Matthew 28:19. Here’s how we are brought into the family of God—only through the one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. Does this quote say anything about what the compilers of this study think it says?
So, to complete this response, Christ’s place in the Godhead is not a spot that will fill the void in the Godhead that would be empty were He not there, but rather, Christ IS the fullness of the Godhead, and so is His Father.
Notes: https://phm.org/answering-the-biblical-research-institute-christs-place-in-the-godhead/
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