A friend of mine who is a Seventh-day Adventist sent me the following four texts regarding Jesus’ baptism. He believes these four texts clearly show three separate beings. Do these texts reveal that God is a Trinity?
Baptism of Jesus: The following 4 texts repeat that the three persons of the Godhead were all at Jesus’ baptism;
1) the Spirit appeared as dove (separate being),
2) God the Father spoke from heaven
3) Jesus was baptized by immersion (three separate beings).Matthew 3:16; And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him…
Mark 1:10; And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him
Luke 3:22; And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
John 1:32; And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him (3 person Godhead].(Email received from my Seventh-day Adventist friend.)
Let’s prayerfully study these texts.
Seventh-day Adventist Trinity Proof Text: Matthew 3:16-17
And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Matthew 3:16-17
From this text here is the knowledge that is revealed to me:
- Jesus Christ was baptized (Trinitarians and non-Trinitarians both agree)
- The heavens were opened unto him (Trinitarians and non-Trinitarians both agree)
- Jesus Christ saw “the Spirit of God” descending like a dove, and lighting upon him
- There was a voice from heaven that said “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased”
Points #3 and #4 are the key points. Trinitarians and non-Trinitarians have no disagreement with points #1 and #2 that Jesus was baptized and that the heavens were opened unto Jesus. My friend is communicating to me that this text proves that there are 3 separate beings in the Godhead. In other words he is saying that this could not be the Spirit of the Father and the Son but must be a separate Holy Spirit being apart from the Father and the Son.
Question: Can I honestly say that this text proves the Spirit of God is a separate being different from the Father and the Son?
Answer: No I cannot say that.
To come to a conclusion believing there are three separate beings revealed in this text, one needs to believe that:
“The Spirit of God” = A separate being apart from God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ.
The real question that divides Trinitarian Adventists from non-Trinitarian Adventists is:
Question: Is the Holy Spirit a separate co-eternal being or is the Holy Spirit the Spirit of the Father and the Son?
Answer: Please keep reading.
Side Note – Third Person of the Godhead EGW Quotes
Please do not think that you have to believe the Holy Spirit is a separate being because in the back of your mind you are holding on to all the Ellen White “third person” of the Godhead quotes. Take every Ellen White “third person of the Godhead” quote and remember to harmonize it with all of Mrs. White’s writings such as the Desire of Ages quote:
The Holy Spirit is Christ’s representative, but divested of the personality of humanity, and independent thereof. Cumbered with humanity, Christ could not be in every place personally. Therefore it was for their interest that He should go to the Father, and send the Spirit to be His successor on earth. No one could then have any advantage because of his location or his personal contact with Christ. By the Spirit the Saviour would be accessible to all. In this sense He would be nearer to them than if He had not ascended on high. {Desire of Ages p.669.2}
- The third person of the Godhead (Holy Spirit) is divested of the personality of humanity. To be divested of something is to be stripped of something.Example. “He divested himself of his coat and trousers, the prince undressed.” A person has to have “coat and trousers” to divest them. The Desire of Ages quote is telling us that the Holy Spirit had the “personality of humanity”. Does the Bible show another divine being apart from Christ having the “personality of humanity?” No Jesus Christ had the personality of humanity (Son of man).
- “By the Spirit the Saviour would be accessible to all.” Jesus Christ would be nearer to us. This is what the Desire of Ages quote is saying. Please read it again. Do you see it? “He (Jesus) would be nearer to them.” This quote reveals the Holy Spirit is not a separate being apart from Jesus.
- Question: Who comes personally by His Holy Spirit?
Answer: “I testify to my brethren and sisters that the church of Christ, enfeebled and defective as it may be, is the only object on earth on which He bestows His supreme regard. While He extends to all the world His invitation to come to Him and be saved, He commissions His angels to render divine help to every soul that cometh to Him in repentance and contrition, and He comes personally by His Holy Spirit into the midst of His church”. {Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers p.15.1} - Question: Is the Holy Spirit the Spirit of Christ?
Answer: “The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ; it is His representative. Here is the divine agency that carries conviction to hearts.” {13MR 313.3} - Question: Is the Holy Spirit Jesus Christ?
Answer: “The Lord is soon to come. We want that complete and perfect understanding which the Lord alone can give. It is not safe to catch the spirit from another. We want the Holy Spirit, which is Jesus Christ. If we commune with God, we shall have strength and grace and efficiency.” — {Lt66-1894.18} https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/6785.2000001 - Question: Is the Lord that Spirit?
Answer: Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:17 - Question: Are you saying that I should now see Jesus Christ as my Comforter?
Answer: Let them study the seventeenth of John, and learn how to pray and how to live the prayer of Christ. He is the Comforter. {RH, January 27, 1903 par. 15}
Answer: It is not essential for you to know and be able to define just what the Holy Spirit is. Christ tells us that the Holy Spirit is the Comforter, and the Comforter is the Holy Ghost, “the Spirit of truth, which the Father shall send in My name.” “I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him, for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you” [John 14:16, 17]. This refers to the omnipresence of the Spirit of Christ, called the Comforter. Again Jesus says, “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth is come, He will guide you into all truth” [John 16:12, 13]. {14MR 179.2} - Question: Can Jesus be ministering in the sanctuary above and yet still be on earth by His Holy Spirit?
Answer: “Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25. Though the ministration was to be removed from the earthly to the heavenly temple; though the sanctuary and our great high priest would be invisible to human sight, yet the disciples were to suffer no loss thereby. 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. 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 p.166.2}
Question: Perhaps people are now saying. “Well Jason, that doesn’t make any sense. Are you saying that in Matthew 3:16 the “Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him” is actually talking about Jesus and the Father and not a separate being?
Answer: Yes and Ellen White is saying the same thing. Allow me to share a few quotes to help you see the truth of this verse.
The emblem in the form of a dove that hovered over Jesus at His baptism represents His gentleness of character. {Ms 19, 1892.}
Never before had angels listened to such a prayer as Christ offered at his baptism, and they were solicitous to be the bearers of the message from the Father to his Son. But, no; direct from the Father issues the light of his glory. The heavens were opened, and beams of glory rested upon the Son of God, and assumed the form of a dove, in appearance like burnished gold. The dove-like form was emblematical of the meekness and gentleness of Christ. While the people stood spell-bound with amazement, their eyes fastened upon Christ, from the opening heavens came these words: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” The words of confirmation that Christ is the Son of God was given to inspire faith in those who witnessed the scene, and to sustain the Son of God in his arduous work. Notwithstanding the Son of God was clothed with humanity, yet Jehovah, with his own voice, assures him of his sonship with the Eternal. In this manifestation to his Son, God accepts humanity as exalted through the excellence of his beloved Son. {The Spirit of Prophecy Volume Two p.60}
The glory of God, in the form of a dove of burnished gold, rested upon Him, and from the infinite glory was heard these words, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” {Christ Triumphant p.207}
John related what he had heard and seen of his teachings. He told of the wonderful manifestations at the time of the baptism of Jesus, by the prophet John, in the river Jordan; how the light and glory from Heaven had descended upon him in the form of a dove, while a voice from the cloudless heavens proclaimed him to be the Son of the Infinite Father. {The Spirit of Prophecy Volume Two p.105}
There are precious treasures of truth here if one will set aside preconceived ideas. The dove at Jesus’ baptism does not point to a Trinity nor does it point to a separate co-eternal being. The dove is pointing to your meek and gentle Savior. Let’s continue shall we?
Bible Search – “Spirit of God”
They key phrase in Matthew 3:16 is “Spirit of God.” Typing into the E-Sword Bible program I came across 26 verses that have “Spirit of God” in them. Will these texts lend evidence in favor of a separate third being or provide weight that the Spirit of God is the Spirit of the Father and the Son?
And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. Genesis 1:2
And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? Genesis 41:38
And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, Exodus 31:3
And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship; Exodus 35:31
And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him. Numbers 24:2
And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them. 1 Samuel 10:10
And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly. 1 Samuel 11:6
And Saul sent messengers to take David: and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed over them, the Spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied. 1 Samuel 19:20
And he went thither to Naioth in Ramah: and the Spirit of God was upon him also, and he went on, and prophesied, until he came to Naioth in Ramah. 1 Samuel 19:23
And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded: 2 Chronicles 15:1
And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you. 2 Chronicles 24:20
All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils; Job 27:3
The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. Job 33:4
Afterwards the spirit took me up, and brought me in a vision by the Spirit of God into Chaldea, to them of the captivity. So the vision that I had seen went up from me. Ezekiel 11:24
And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: Matthew 3:16
But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. Matthew 12:28
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. Romans 8:9
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Romans 8:14
Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. Romans 15:19
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. 1 Corinthians 2:11
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16
But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God. 1 Corinthians 7:40
Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. 1 Corinthians 12:3
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30
Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 1 John 4:2
“Spirit of God” Word Search Insights
Did you see anything as you went and read all the Bible references talking about the phrase “Spirit of God?” Two verses stood out for me and I highlighted them in blue.
Point #1
One of the major characteristics of Hebrew poetry is parallelism. There are many kinds of parallelism. Synonymous parallelism describes bicola or tricola in which the same or similar thoughts are repeated.
Notice what Job is saying with this synonymous parallelism:
The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. Job 33:4
The “Spirit of God” is the SAME or SIMILAR thought as “breath of the Almighty”. This lends evidence that the Spirit of God (Holy Spirit) is NOT a separate being.
The Father gave His Spirit without measure to His Son, and we also may partake of its fullness. Jesus says, “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?” Luke 11:13. “If ye shall ask anything in My name, I will do it.” “Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” John 14:14: 16:24. {Great Controversy p.477.1}
All who consecrate body, soul, and spirit to His service will be constantly receiving a new endowment of physical, mental, and spiritual power. The inexhaustible supplies of heaven are at their command. Christ gives them the breath of His own Spirit, the life of His own life. The Holy Spirit puts forth its highest energies to work in mind and heart. Through the grace given us we may achieve victories that because of our own erroneous and preconceived opinions, our defects of character, our smallness of faith, have seemed impossible. {Ministry of Healing p.159.4}
Jesus is waiting to breathe upon all His disciples, and give them the inspiration of His sanctifying Spirit, and transfuse the vital influence from Himself to His people. .Signs of the Times, Oct. 3, 1892. {YRP 26.4}
Point #2
The next blue highlighted verse of interest was found in the New Testament :
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. Romans 8:9
The “Spirit of God” and the “Spirit of Christ” are used interchangeably. This is significant. This is another piece of evidence to me that the Spirit of God (Holy Spirit) is NOT a separate being from the Father and the Son.
The Father gave His Spirit without measure to His Son, and we also may partake of its fullness. {Great Controversy p.477.1}
“The HOLY SPIRIT is the SPIRIT of CHRIST, which is sent to all men to give them sufficiency, that through His grace we might be complete in Him.” — (Ellen G. White, 14MR 84.3)
After reading all 26 verses I don’t have anything solid that tells me the “Spirit of God” is a being that is separate from God the Father or His Son Jesus Christ. The “Spirit of God” looks to me like it is truly the SPIRIT…..OF……GOD.
I hope you will not discount this information because popular preachers of our day teach the Holy Spirit as another separate co-eternal being.
O, may we act as men who want light! May God give us His Holy Spirit day by day, and let the light of His countenance shine upon us, that we may be learners in the school of Christ. When a doctrine is presented that does not meet our minds, we should go to the word of God, seek the Lord in prayer, and give no place for the enemy to come in with suspicion and prejudice. We should never permit the spirit to be manifested that arraigned the priests and rulers against the Redeemer of the world. They complained that He disturbed the people, and they wished He would let them alone; for He caused perplexity and dissension. The Lord sends light to us to prove what manner of spirit we are of. We are not to deceive ourselves. {Gospel Workers p.301.3}
Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. Galatians 6:18
Jason