Appeal to Maranatha media bloggers for help with difficult S.O.P. quotes that SEEM to defend the trinity
Posted Jan 24, 2014 by Jeff Wilson in General
Hello everyone,
Recently I have been personally corresponding with a very prominent S.D.A. I have been sharing concepts that are very dear to our hearts relating to the truth about the Father and Son and the Holy Spirit's identity......He seems resistant, however I am glad so far he has read all I have sent him. (We know that it is sometimes the case that at first truth is resisted, then it is questioned and finally it is accepted as undeniable fact.) I am hoping and praying this would apply to this dear follower of God.
He sent me the following quotes that are typically used as objections to non-trin concepts. I am sure most of you are aware of them. I don't feel threatened by them but it has been a number of years since I examined these in their proper context.
I would appreciate any pointers here or feedback on how you would go about answering these common objections.
Blessings!!!
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.--Manuscript 145, 1901. {Ev 616.4} [note she specifies three separate “dignitaries”]
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. (From a talk to the students at the Avondale School.) {Ev 616.5}
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. . . .
{Ev 616.6}
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."--Manuscript 20, 1906. {Ev 617.1}