Thursday: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
In different ways, Jesus taught and demonstrated that three divine Persons constitute the Godhead: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Although we cannot explain this truth rationally, we accept it by faith (like many of the truths revealed in Scripture), and together with Paul we strive to attain a full knowledge of the mystery of God (Col. 2:2, NKJV). That is, though there is much we don’t understand, we can seek by faith, obedience, prayer, and study to learn more and more.
Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com
The three Persons of the Godhead were active in the key moments of the life of Jesus. Summarize the role of each One in the following events:
Birth: Luke 1:26-35
Baptism: Luke 3:21-22
Crucifixion: Heb. 9:14
When Jesus’ earthly ministry was about to finish, He promised His distressed disciples that He would send the Holy Spirit. Here again we see the three Persons working together. I will pray the Father, Jesus assured them, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever, . . . the Spirit of truth (John 14:16-17, NKJV; see also John 14:26).
Jesus explained that there is complete harmony and cooperation between the three Divine Persons in the plan of salvation. As the Son glorified the Father, demonstrating His love (John 17:4), so the Holy Spirit glorifies the Son, revealing His grace (and love) to the world as well (John 16:14).
Think through some of the other revealed truths that are difficult to comprehend through rational thought alone. At the same time, think about many things in the natural world that are similarly difficult to comprehend. What should these mysteries tell us about the limits of our rational thought and the need to live by faith? Bring your answers to class on Sabbath.
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Something we may not understand, but is important to accept is just how much sin has interfered with the relationship between the Father and His fallen creation; perhaps the best reason to abhor sin. We ought not to pretend that a gap does not exist and revise scripture with the narrative which makes us feel better. Every time we deny the straight testimony of the Bible or try to fix it to conform to our preferred version of love we miss important messages and open ourselves to error. An error though comforting is still error and leads astray.
Supported by the Holy Spirit the Son, subject to His Father’s authority, and bridging the gap (2 Corinthians 5:19) has been the expression of the Father’s love. If we through the work of the Holy Spirit know Jesus, the Alpha and Omega, we also know the Father, albeit indirectly. Although there was an estrangement in Eden there is sufficient revelation for us to be comfortable with the Father, given the present mediatorial connection, and at the ultimate restoration in Heaven; then face to face.
The God of the Old Testament is the same God of the New Testament. Jehovah is Jesus. And He is one with the Father.
EGW stated in the book, That I May Know Him p. 102 – “Since the sin of our first parents, there has been no direct communication between God and man. The Father has given the world into the hands of Christ, that through His mediatorial work He may redeem man, and vindicate the authority and holiness of the law of God. All the communion between heaven and the fallen race has been through Christ. It was the Son of God that gave to our first parents the promise of redemption. It was He who revealed Himself to the patriarchs. Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses understood the gospel.”
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I ask myself if a conscient heart is a Holy Spirit, answer me if it is. Old Testament says not about Holy Ghost....why?
Well, as I see it from Scripture, a conscient (conscientious) heart is not a Holy Spirit and certainly not the Holy Spirit. But the Holy Spirit dwells in a conscientious heart (see Hezekiel 36:26-27; Psalm 51:10-12.17 KJV). The Spirit of God was already active in creation (Genesis 1:2). Hence, the Spirit of God as the Holy Spirit is the co-creator together with God the Father and God the Son (John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2). His life giving creatory activity is also revealed in the resurrection of the dead (Ezekiel 37:9-10; Romans 8:11). Further, the Holy Spirit is sent from the Father and from the Son (John 14:26; 16:7; 15:26). This being true, the Father and the Son agree in sending the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit agrees with the Father and with the Son being sent. The Holy Trinity is acting in creation and redemption in union with the Father und with the Son. There are three different personalities acting unitedly for our salvation: in indestructible unity and indestructible diversity.
Winfried Stolpmann
A conscience is not the Holy Spirit, conscience only shows that your heart is receptive of the Holy Spirit and he is still speaking to you. When you respond to his prompting he will guide, but when you deny him he will leave you.The bible says in Genesis 1v1, the Spirit of God moved upon the waters, v26 adds then God said, let us create man in our own image. The Spirit has been there forever.
Thursday's lesson (July 3, 2014): The statement that says: The three persons of the Godhead were active in the key moments of the life of Jesus. The three persons of the Godhead are the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. It's clear that Father and the Holy Spirit were active in the life of Jesus. But for me the confusing thing is how was the Son active in the life of Jesus. Because the Son and Jesus are one, right? Or the Son and Jesus are different? If anybody can comment,I would be happy.
Jesus Christ is the son. In this context we are talking about the ministry of Jesus Christ the son. He received the cooperation of the Father and the Holy Spirit during His major tasks on Earth like Baptism and wilderness temptation, in other words He was not working alone.