The Three Distinct Persons of the Godhead in Ellen White’s Writings

The Godhead consists of three distinct, eternal, and holy persons who have worked together since the beginning for the salvation of the human race2MR 34.1+2. These three great Worthies are the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and they are pledged to be the strength and efficiency of every believer who enters into a covenant with them through baptism Matthew 28:197MR 267.2+2.

The Three Persons of the Godhead

• Distinct Personalities: The Scriptures and the Spirit of Prophecy clearly indicate the relation between God the Father and Christ, bringing to view the personality and individuality of eachCCh 76.4+1. While they are one in heart, mind, and purpose, they are two separate beings John 10:30BCL 127.3+1.

• The Holy Spirit as the Third Person: The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead, a distinct personality who comes with the fullness of divine power to restrain evil and regenerate the heart2MR 34.1+2. The Holy Spirit is the highest of all gifts that Christ could solicit from His Father for the exaltation of His peopleHLv 450.3+1.

• The Three Holiest Beings: Upon baptism, a believer stands under the sanction and power of the three holiest beings in heaven, who are able to keep the soul from falling7MR 267.2+1. These three eternal heavenly dignitaries—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—arm the disciples with more than mortal energy to advance the work of God in the world6BC 1074.9+1.

The Mystery of the Trinity

While the heavenly universe is composed of these three distinct powers, the exact nature of the Holy Spirit remains a sacred mysteryULe 20.5. It is enough for us to know that the Father is all the fullness of the Godhead bodily and is invisible, while the Son is all the fullness of the Godhead manifested Colossians 2:9BTS March 1, 1906, par. 1+1. Though some of the early pioneers initially struggled with certain definitions of the trinity due to their rejection of traditional creeds, the light given through the Spirit of Prophecy led the church to a clear understanding of the three co-eternal persons of the Godhead working in perfect unityPP 38.3+2.

Baptismal Covenant

When individuals are baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, they declare publicly that they have forsaken the service of Satan and have become members of the royal family7ABC 442.6+1. This ceremony involves the highest authorities in the heavenly world, who contribute their efficiency to help man become a partaker of the divine nature 2 Peter 1:419LtMs, Ms 45, 1904, par. 16+1.

...d been accumulating for centuries, and could only be restrained and resisted by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Godhead, who would come with no modified energy, but in the fullness of divine power. Another spirit must b...— 2MR 34.1 (1987)

The Eternal Dignitaries of the Trinity—The eternal heavenly dignitaries—God, and Christ, and the Holy Spirit—arming them [the disciples] with more tha...— Ev 616.4 (1946)

...—to live a new life. You are born unto God, and you stand under the sanction and the power of the three holiest beings in heaven, who are able to keep you from falling. You are to reveal that you are dead to sin; your life is hi...— 7MR 267.2 (1990)

In the first chapter of Second Peter is presented the progressive work in the Christian life. The whole chapter is a lesson of deep importance. If man, in ac...— 6BC 1074.9 (1956)

...th in Christ, and their death to the old life of sin, have entered into covenant relation with God. The three powers of the Godhead, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, are pledged to be their strength and their efficiency in their new life in Christ Jesus— AUCR October 7, 1907, par. 9 (1898)

...he threshold, there is to be the imprint of the sacred name, baptizing the believers in the name of the threefold powers in the heavenly world. The human mind is impressed in this ceremony, the beginning of the Christian life. It means very m...— 19LtMs, Ms 45, 1904, par. 16