The Godhead in the Bible

As we undertake the study of the Bible, what inspired council are we given to guide us when we attempt to explain the meaning of its verses?

“The language of the Bible should be explained according to its obvious meaning.” {GC 598}

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GodHow many gods does the Bible teach exist?Thou shalt have no other gods before

me. Exodus 20: 3

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God [is] one LORD. Deuteronomy 6: 4

hath not one God created us? Malachi 2: 10

[there is] none other God but one. 1 Corinthians 8: 4

But to us [there is but] one God. 1 Corinthians 8: 6

One God and Father of all. Ephesians 4: 6

For [there is] one God. 1 Timothy 2: 5

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What is the common title given in the Bible to the One God?

Have we not all one father? Malachi 2: 10

But to us [there is but] one God, the Father. 1 Corinthians 8: 6

Grace to you and peace from God our Father. Romans 1: 7

One God and Father of all, who [is] above all, and through all, and in you all. Ephesians 4:6

Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father. 2 Thessalonians 1: 2

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Is the one God, our Father, the father of Jesus Christ as well?

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. Ephesians 1: 3.

I ascend unto my Father, and your Father. John 20: 17

One God and Father of all. Ephesians 4: 6

Conclusion: The Bible teaches that there is one God, who is the Father of all.

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ChristWho is Christ?

And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. John 6: 69

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Mark 1:1

Truly this man was the Son of God. Mark 15:39

And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. John 1:34

Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. John 1:49

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Is ‘the son of living God’ a mere title given to Christ or is He in reality the very son of the one God?For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. Isaiah 9: 6

Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell? Proverbs 30: 4

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father. John 1:14

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Does the Bible reveal when Christ was begotten of the Father? When did He become the “Son of God”?

Yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. Micah 5:2

“And the Son of God declares concerning Himself: "The Lord possessed Me in the beginning of His way, before His works of old. I was set up from everlasting. . . . When He appointed the foundations of the earth: then I was by Him, as one brought up with Him: and I was daily His delight, rejoicing always before Him." Proverbs 8:22-30.” {PP 34}

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Does the Bible reveal when Christ was begotten of the Father? When did He become the “Son of God”?

The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. … Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him. Proverbs 8:22-30

Conclusion: The One God at one point from everlasting begat Christ, His only begotten son. And if what God gave was not His real and only begotten, then Abraham’s test would not have been a meaningful type

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Aspects of the divine ‘begetting’

What did the one God, the Father of all, pass unto His only begotten?

For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself. John 5: 26

The brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person; Hebrews 1: 3

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What does it mean that God passed His glory to His only begotten son?

And he said, I beseech thee, show me thy glory. And he said, I will make all my goodness pass. Exodus 33: 18, 19

It pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell. Colossians 1:19

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Did the one God pass on His name to His only begotten son?

Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. Hebrews 1:4

Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him. Exodus 23:20, 21

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What else was passed by the Father unto His only begotten?

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

Conclusion: God passed unto His only begotten son, unconditional ‘life in Himself’. As the baby becomes independent of the mother once he is born, Christ became self-existent once He was begotten of the Father. Self-existence was inherent in His birth. In addition to self existence, the son received from His Father His very character [goodness], and thus His express image. There was nothing that the Father had which was not passed unto the His only begotten Son. Even the very Spirit of God is shared by His Son. Christ naturally received the name of His Father [Jehovah/God]. He is therefore fully divine.

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How did Christ regard His Father?

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God. John 17:3

Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. John 20: 17

A At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Matthew 11:25

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Equality of Christ

What was Christ’s position in heaven?

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

For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. Colossians 2:9

A “God is the Father of Christ; Christ is the Son of God. To Christ has been given an exalted position. He has been made equal with the Father. All the counsels of God are opened to His Son.” {8T 268}

“Christ, the Word, the only begotten of God, was one with the eternal Father--one in nature, in character, in purpose--the only being that could enter into all the counsels and purposes of God.” {PP 34}

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How does the Bible demonstrate the submission of Son to His Father, the one God?

And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's. 1 Corinthians 3: 23

But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. 1 Corinthians 11: 2

One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Ephesians 4: 5, 6

A For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. 1 Corinthians 15: 27, 28Conclusion: The Son of God inherited His

Father’s nature and is equal to Him in nature, character, and purpose; His full and only co-partner. This reality does not negate, however, the submission of the Son to His Father, who is the one God, who rules over all including the Son.

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Does the Biblical fact of Christ’s submission to His Father affect our worship of the Son?

That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. John 5: 23

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Holy SpiritWhat is the Bible definition for

‘Spirit’?

Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him? Isaiah 40:13

For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Roman 11:34

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Who is the Holy Spirit?

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

And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Galatians 4: 6

A And 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. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. John 14: 16- 18

Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:17

Conclusion: The Holy Spirit is none other than the very Spirit of Christ which proceeded from the Father, the one God, [of whom are all things]. 1 Corinthians 8: 6.

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Does the SOP confirm that fact that the Holy Spirit is the very spirit of Christ?

“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." … This refers to the omnipresence of the Spirit of Christ, called the Comforter.” {EGW, 14MR 179}

”The Saviour is our Comforter. This I have proved Him to be.” {EGW, 8MR 49}

A “As by faith we look to Jesus, our faith pierces the shadow, and we adore God for His wondrous love in giving Jesus the Comforter.” {EGW, 19MR 297, 298}

“The reason why the churches are weak and sickly and ready to die, is that the enemy has brought influences of a discouraging nature to bear upon trembling souls. He has sought to shut Jesus from their view as the Comforter, as one who reproves, who warns, who admonishes them, saying, "This is the way, walk ye in it"” {EGW, RH, August 26, 1890 par. 10}

A “Let them study the seventeenth of John, and learn how to pray and how to live the prayer of Christ. He is the Comforter.” {EGW, RH, January 27, 1903}

“Let them be thankful to God for His manifold mercies and be kind to one another. They have one God and one Saviour; and one Spirit--the Spirit of Christ--is to bring unity into their ranks.” {EGW, 9T 189}

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What is another definition of the Holy Spirit?

“Jesus is seeking to impress upon them the thought that in giving His Holy Spirit He is giving to them the glory which the Father hath given Him, that He and His people may be one in God.” {EGW, 2MR 36, 37}

“The impartation of the Spirit is the impartation of the life of Christ.” {EGW, DA 805}

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Some have attempted to tamper with God’s divine council and promote the Spirit of Christ to a god. Is this Biblical?

*The Holy Spirit is never referred to as an individual god-being in the Bible.

*It will contradict the plain Bible teaching of one God only.

*The Bible is plain there are only two divine beings, never three.

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Is Jesus Christ ever referred to as “Spirit”?

Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:17

And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 1 Corinthians 15:45

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. Acts 20:28

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Who is sent into our hearts to comfort us?

And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Galatians 4:6

But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. 1 Corinthians 6:17

Conclusion: The Holy Spirit is not an individual being like God the Father and His Son. It is rather the mind of God, His very own personal presence with us. This is how Christ fulfills His promise to us:

And, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

Amen.