how do adventists view of the trinity?

[sparow]

It is a title. It is neither pagan nor sacred.

Not true. In Hebrew, only God's proper name YHVH is not applied (in scripture) to other gods, or even men.
Elohay, (singular) Elohim (plural) and Adon are all used to refer to people or the pagan gods of the Egyptians and Canaanites.

Mi kamocha Ba'elim Adonai?
Mi kamocha ne'dar bakodesh;
Nora tehillot, oseh feleh.

Who is like unto Thee, O Lord, among the gods?
Who is like unto Thee, glorious in holiness;
Fearful in praises, and doing wondrous deeds? Exodus 15.11

Ba'elim is a version of Elohim that is translated "among the gods."

In Genesis 35.2, Jacob instructs all in his household to put away the "strange gods" nekar elohim and to be clean.

You have made a permanent change to my thinking.

 

[BobRyan]

Nothing there about "one God in three persons" being condemned or wrong - as I think we have come to expect.

By contrast Christians who believe in the Trinity do claim it as "one God in Three Persons"

 

[overcomer]

Nothing there about "one God in three persons" - as I think we have come to expect.

By contrast Christians who believe in the Trinity do claim it as "one God in Three Persons"

Bob,

Almost every pagan religion has a 'trinity': the father, son and mother gods, whether they want to call it trinity and triune gods, it's irrelevant. The bible does not support the concept of a 'one God in three distinct persons, co-equal, co-divine, co-eternal'. This concept is no where to be found in the bible.

The Adventist pioneers did not have a confused view on the trinity. They clearly objected to the concept of 3 persons, co-equal, co-divine, co-eternal. More on the is later.

Now you said Ellen White introduced 'God the Spirit as the third person of the Godhead' for which the scriptures give no support. So did Ellen White add a new concept that is not in the bible? Here is what she said about her writings.

“The testimonies themselves will be the key that will explain the messages given, as scripture is explained by scripture.” ... “Regarding the testimonies, nothing is ignored; nothing is cast aside; but time and place must be considered.” {E. G. White, Selected Messages Book 1, pp. 42, 57}

So the time and place (situation) must be considered. Her quotes can not be taken out of context in the same the bible is considered.

In 1891, brother Chapman wrote to Ellen White complaining about the brethren did not allow him to preach because he had a 'new light' that 'holy ghost is the not the spirit of God, which is Christ, but the angel Gabriel.' 14 MR p175.

Sis. White wrote this back to him:

"Your ideas of... do not harmonize with the light which God has given me. ... 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. ...I hope that you will seek to be in harmony with the body. I have been shown that you would not exert a saving influence in teaching the truth, because your mind is restless, and unless you drank deeper of the Fountain of life, you would make the mistake that many others have made, of thinking that you have new light, when it is only a new phase of error. {14MR 180.1} Now, my brother, it is truth that we want and must have, but do not introduce error as new truth. I would be glad to write further on this point, but must drop the subject now. God wants us to be a unit.—Letter 7, 1891.{14MR 180.4}

So according to Ellen White, the pioneers had it right regarding to the identity of the Holy Spirit.

Was Ellen White correct? Here is what the bible says on this.

John 14
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 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.
18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

Rom 8
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 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.

2 Cor 3
6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. ...
8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?...
17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Gal 4
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

So according to EGW the pioneers were correct in regard to their position on the holy spirit and on the 'trinity'. What does the bible say about the Adventist pioneers?

Daniel 12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

So the pioneers were wise and taught the First and Second angels' message as the message of righteousness.

Here is more what EGW wrote in regard to her supposed 'introduction of God the Holy Spirit as the third person of the Godhead'.

“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing; the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." Christ is not here referring to his doctrine, but to his person, the divinity of his character.” {E. G. White, Review and Herald, April 5, 1906 par. 12}

“The Holy Spirit, which proceeds from the only begotten Son of God, binds the human agent, body, soul, and spirit, to the perfect, divine-human nature of Christ.” {E. G. White, Review and Herald, April 5, 1906 par. 16}

“The only being who was one with God lived the law in humanity, descended to the lowly life of a common laborer, and toiled at the carpenter's bench with his earthly parent.” {E. G. White, Signs of the Times, October 14, 1897 par. 3}

“The Father and the Son alone are to be exalted.” {E. G. White, The Youth’s Instructor, July 7, 1898 par. 2}

“Christ the Word, the Only Begotten of God, was one with the eternal Father,--one in nature, in character, and in purpose,--the only being in all the universe that could enter into all the counsels and purposes of God.” {E. G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 493}

Here sis. White stated Christ is the only being in the universe that could enter into counsel with God the Father. Lets check the scriptures on this.

Zech 6:12 And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:
13 Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.

Now what of the EGW quote of 'Here are the three living persons of the heavenly trio'?

Well the previous quotes from EGW should have sufficiently explained her position regarding to 'God the spirit as the third person of the Godhead' as taught by the trinitarianism. If you believe she was a prophet of God then she couldn't have contradicted herself.

Furthermore, her writing does not actually say 'three living persons of the heavenly trio'. In her original manuscript, she corrected it. It actually says 'Here are the living three personalities of the heavenly trio'.

Here is how EGW defined the 'heavenly trio' with her own words:

“They have one God and one Saviour; and one Spirit--the Spirit of Christ--is to bring unity into their ranks.” {Testimonies Volume 9, p. 189}

“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.” {Manuscript Releases Vol.14, p. 179}

“Cumbered with humanity, Christ could not be in every place personally; therefore it was altogether for their advantage that He should leave them, go to His father, and send the Holy Spirit to be His successor on earth. The Holy Spirit is Himself divested of the personality of humanity and independent thereof. He would represent Himself as present in all places by His Holy Spirit, as the Omnipresent.” {Manuscript Releases Vol.14, p. 23}

Now lets look at this verse again

Daniel 12:11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.

The 1290 year prophecy (from 508-1798)'s starting point is marked by the Trinitarians' persecution of the non-Trinitarians.

Inspiration tells us 'They chose new gods; then was war in the gates:' Judges 5:8

And this starting point event/war is termed in Dan 12:11 as the abomination that maketh desolate.

Deut 7:26 Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: but thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing.

Ellen White further explained the 'abomination of desolation' is the idolatrous pagan standards setting up on the holy grounds.

 

[BobRyan]

Bob,

Almost every pagan religion has a 'trinity': the father, son and mother gods, whether they want to call it trinity and triune gods, it's irrelevant. The bible does not support the concept of a 'one God in three distinct persons,

You may oppose the "one God in three persons" doctrine of the Trinity - but you should not expect that this is the same position held by the Seventh-day Adventist church.

One God - "Hear o' Israel the Lord your God is ONE" - Deut 6:4 - Mark 12:29
Three persons - "in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit" Matt 28.

Now you said Ellen White introduced 'God the Spirit as the third person of the Godhead' for which the scriptures give no support.

Until you read Matthew 28.

In any case the thread asks what the SDA view of it is - and this "one God in three persons" statement does answer the point.

In 1891, brother Chapman wrote to Ellen White complaining about the brethren did not allow him to preach because he had a 'new light' that 'holy ghost is the not the spirit of God, which is Christ, but the angel Gabriel.' 14 MR p175.

Sis. White wrote this back to him:

"Your ideas of... do not harmonize with the light which God has given me. ... 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. ...I hope that you will seek to be in harmony with the body. I have been shown that you would not exert a saving influence in teaching the truth, because your mind is restless, and unless you drank deeper of the Fountain of life, you would make the mistake that many others have made, of thinking that you have new light, when it is only a new phase of error. {14MR 180.1} Now, my brother, it is truth that we want and must have, but do not introduce error as new truth. I would be glad to write further on this point, but must drop the subject now. God wants us to be a unit.—Letter 7, 1891.{14MR 180.4}

At no point does that quote argue that the Holy Spirit is not a person or that opposition to the Trinity is good. You have someone arguing error - that Gabriel is the Holy Spirit - and that error is being refuted in that quote

 

[EastCoastRemnant]

You may oppose the "one God in three persons" doctrine of the Trinity - but you should not expect that this is the same position held by the Seventh-day Adventist church.

Is this the same church that is promoting infidel speakers and authors to be featured and taught to our youth in our schools and our camp meetings? The same church that turns a blind eye to homosexuals seeking and obtaining office in the church? The same church who allows their churches to have Sunday worship?

The church has been subverted by the enemy a long time ago... adding the trinity doctrine to our fundamentals does not show it to be truth... rather, it's what is considered truth today in our denomination.

 

[overcomer]

You may oppose the "one God in three persons" doctrine of the Trinity - but you should not expect that this is the same position held by the Seventh-day Adventist church.

One God - "Hear o' Israel the Lord your God is ONE" - Deut 6:4 - Mark 12:29
Three persons - "in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit" Matt 28.

Until you read Matthew 28.

I always find it interesting when it comes to baptism, Matt 28:19 is always quoted, while other 6 similar phrases are never mentioned. The difference is those six do not mention in the name of the 'trinity', they say either baptize in the name of Jesus (Acts 2:38, 8:12, 8:16, 19:5) or baptize in the name of the Lord (Acts 10:48, 22:16).

The bible tells us 'precept upon precept, line upon line, here a little, there a little'. Isn't that convenient the Trinitarians will quote one verse in Matt 28:19 and never mention that other six.

And Matt 28:19 doesn't say God is three persons. In no where in the bible that concept is taught.

In any case the thread asks what the SDA view of it is - and this "one God in three persons" statement does answer the point.

At no point does that quote argue that the Holy Spirit is not a person or that opposition to the Trinity is good. You have someone arguing error - that Gabriel is the Holy Spirit - and that error is being refuted in that quote

The point illustrated by the quote is that pioneers rejected the Trinitarianism. EGW never used the term trinity and never reproved the pioneers' position. On the contrary, when the new light that 'the holy spirit is not the spirit of Christ', Ellen White wrote the person to tell him to get into harmony with the brethren.

It's clear to me from the quotes from SOP and the bible in the previous post, the holy spirit is spirit of Christ, not some separate, distinct person.

 

[BobRyan]

Bob,

Almost every pagan religion has a 'trinity': the father, son and mother gods, whether they want to call it trinity and triune gods, it's irrelevant. The bible does not support the concept of a 'one God in three distinct persons,

You may oppose the "one God in three persons" doctrine of the Trinity - but you should not expect that this is the same position held by the Seventh-day Adventist church.

One God - "Hear o' Israel the Lord your God is ONE" - Deut 6:4 - Mark 12:29
Three persons - "in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit" Matt 28.

Is this the same church that is promoting infidel speakers and authors to be featured and taught to our youth in our schools and our camp meetings? The same church that turns a blind eye to homosexuals seeking and obtaining office in the church? The same church who allows their churches to have Sunday worship?

There are local churches and local conferences that may do any number of things - but those things are not voted and approved of by the entire world church of SDAs. What is the voice and statement of the world church is our doctrinal statements. And it is clear from both those statements and the texts above that the "One God in three Persons" doctrine of the Trinity as we see it in Matt 28, Mark 12:29 etc is approved of by the SDA denomination. Which is the question in the OP.

Not every single person will agree with that doctrine - but the body of SDAs as a group does hold to it publicly, formally, officially -- no matter that a local congregation or a local conference or even an entire division embraces practices (as you point out ) unrelated to this doctrine -- practices that the group as a whole does not favor.

I always find it interesting when it comes to baptism, Matt 28:19 is always quoted, while other 6 similar phrases are never mentioned. The difference is those six do not mention in the name of the 'trinity', they say either baptize in the name of Jesus (Acts 2:38, 8:12, 8:16, 19:5) or baptize in the name of the Lord (Acts 10:48, 22:16). .

If deleting scripture were allowed each time it is not repeated - then the Sabbath would be deleted each time even one of the Ten Commandments is quoted but not the Sabbath and the 3rd commandment which is against taking God's name in vain -- and is not quoted at all in the NT - would have been deleted.

 

[Dave-W]

One God - "Hear o' Israel the Lord your God is ONE" - Deut 6:4 - Mark 12:29
Three persons - "in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit" Matt 28.

Deut 6.4 in Hebrew: Sh'ma Yisrael, Adonai Elohenu Adonai echad.

In both instances, "Adonai" is used for the tetragramaton yud hay vav hay; the personal name of God. Between them is "Elohenu," OUR God (-nu = 1st person plural).

So in this great statement of God's unity, He is named 3 times. And the word for "one" is echad which is the same word used in Genesis to describe husband and wife as "one" flesh.

So it means more of a composite unity rather than an absolute singularity.

So the concept of the Trinity is there, even in the Sh'ma.

 

[overcomer]

Deut 6.4 in Hebrew: Sh'ma Yisrael, Adonai Elohenu Adonai echad.
2:4
In both instances, "Adonai" is used for the tetragramaton yud hay vav hay; the personal name of God. Between them is "ElElohenu," OUR God (-nu = 1st person plural).

So in this great statement of God's unity, He is named 3 times. And the word for "one" is echad which is the same word used in Genesis to describe husband and wife as "one" flesh.

So it means more of a composite unity rather than an absolute singularity.

So the concept of the Trinity is there, even in the Sh'ma.

No trinity concept implied here at all!

Deut 6:4 Yehovah Elohim is one Yehovah. LORD God is one LORD. Not talking about 3 persons.

Yehovah Elohim is one of many names of God.

Gen 2:4 Yehovah Elohim made earth and heavens. This text doesn't mention anything about the 3 persons, does it?

In fact the very first verse of the bible expressed the same idea.

Gen 1:1 Elohim bara'. God created. Elohim: plural intensive, but singular meaning. bara': create (singular).

Elohim does not necessarily mean plural. For example when God told Moses He was going to make him a god to the pharaoh, the word used is Elohim.

Exodus 7:1 I have made thee a god (elohim) to pharaoh.

Obviously here elohim is singular in meaning in this verse. The plural intensive only emphasizes on the intensity.

 

[Dave-W]

No trinity concept implied here at all!

You did not address the operative word. Echad.

 

[overcomer]

What did the Adventist pioneers believe on the subject of the Trinity?

The Adventist Pioneers and the trinity

The early Adventist pioneers came out of the Protestant churches: Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian… These protestant churches historically accepted the Trinitarian doctrine. However the early Adventist pioneers uniformly rejected the Trinitarian doctrine after coming out of the harlot of Babylon and her harlot daughters.

“Most of the founders of Seventh-day Adventism would not be able to join the church today if they had to subscribe to the denomination’s Fundamental Beliefs. Most specifically, most would not be able to agree to belief number 2, which deals with the doctrine of the Trinity. For Joseph Bates the Trinity was an unscriptural doctrine, for James White it was that ‘old Trinitiarian absurdity’, and for M E Cornell it was a fruit of the great apostasy, along with such false doctrines as Sunday-keeping and the immortality of the soul”. Ministry magazine. October 1993 p10. Article by George Knight, professor of church history at Andrews University.

Lets look at the writings of the pioneers to see if George Knight was correct on this account.

“At first they were generally Trinitarians; subsequently they have almost unanimously, rejected the Trinitarian doctrine as unscriptural.” Article by Joshua V Himes entitled ‘Christian Connection’ from Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge. Ed. T Newton Brown 1835 p382.

“To assert that the sayings of the Son and his apostles are the commandments of the Father, is as wide from the truth as the old trinitarian absurdity that Jesus Christ is the very and eternal God.” Review & Herald. Aug 5. 1852 p52. James White

“The doctrine of the Trinity was established in the church by the council of Nice AD325. This doctrine destroys the personality of God, and His Son Jesus Christ our Lord. The infamous measures by which it was forced upon the church which appear upon the pages of ecclesiastical history might well cause every believer in that doctrine to blush.” Review & Herald. Mar 6. 1855. J N Andrews

The immortality of the soul – the transmigration of the soul – and the trio of gods – God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost; and that of the spirits of holy men coming and dwelling in men in the millennial state, to convert the world. It is all Paganism from beginning to end.” Review & Herald. Mark E Green. January 29. 1857.

“Protestants and Catholics are so nearly united in sentiment, that it is not difficult to conceive how Protestants may make an image to the Beast. The mass of Protestants believe with Catholics in the Trinity, immortality of the soul… and the Papal Sunday for the Sabbath; all of which is contrary to the spirit and letter of the new testament.” Facts for the Times. p76. 1858. Merritte Cornell

“The inconsistent position held by many in regard to the Trinity, as it is termed, has, no doubt, been the prime cause of many other errors. Erroneous views of the divinity of Christ are apt to lead us into error in regard to the nature of the atonement… As we can trace this doctrine no farther back than the origin of the ‘Man of Sin’, and as we find this dogma at that time established rather by force than otherwise, we claim the right to investigate the matter, and ascertain the bearing of Scripture on this subject.” Review & Herald. Nov 10. 1859. D.W. Hull

“Question. What serious objection is there to the doctrine of the Trinity? Answer. There are many objections which we might urge, but on account of our limited space we shall reduce them to the three following: 1. It is contrary to common sense. 2. It is contrary to Scripture. 3. Its origin is pagan and fabulous. This doctrine of the trinity was brought into the church about the same time with image worship, and keeping the day of the sun, and is but Persian doctrine remodeled. It occupied about three hundred years from its introduction to bring the doctrine to what it is now.” Review & Herald. November 5. 1861. J. N. Loughborough.

“Respecting the trinity, I concluded that it was an impossibility for me to believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, was also the Almighty God, the Father, one and the same being….” Autobiography of Joseph Bates 1868.

“Christ is the only literal Son of God. “The only begotten of the Father” John 1:14. He is God because is the Son of God…” Review & Herald, October 12, 1869, J G Matteson

“Children inherit the name of their Father. The Son of God ‘hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than the angels’. That name is the name of His Father”. Review & Herald. Jun 1. 1869. R F Cottrell.

“This (the trinity) has been a popular doctrine and regarded as orthodox ever since the bishop of Rome was elevated to popedom on the strength of it; but each person is permitted to explain the doctrine in his own way…. My reasons for not adopting and defending it are: 1. Its name is unscriptural – the Trinity, or the triune God, is unknown to the Bible… 2. I have never felt called upon to adopt and explain that which is contrary to all the sense and reason that God has given me… But to hold the doctrine of the trinity is not so much an evidence of evil intention as of intoxication from that wine of which all the nations have drunk…” Review & Herald. Jul 6. 1869. R F Cottrell.

“And as to the Son of God… He had God for His Father, and did, at some point in the eternity of the past, have beginning of days.” Review & Herald. Sept 7. 1869. J N Andrews.

“The inexplicable Trinity that makes the Godhead three in one and one in three, is bad enough; ...” Review & Herald. Nov 29. 1877 p172, James White

“What a contradiction of terms is found in the language of a trinitarian creed: ‘In unity of this Godhead are three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost’. There are many things that are mysterious, written in the word of God, but we may safely presume the Lord never calls upon us to believe impossibilities. But creeds often do”. Signs of the Times. May 22. 1879 A J Dennis

“The Father is the greatest in that He is first. The Son is next in authority because He has been given all things”. Review & Herald. Jan 4. 1881. James White,

Some say James White became a trinitarian before he died. The above quote was from the year he died.

“The Scriptures nowhere speak of Christ as a created being, but on the contrary plainly state that He was begotten of the Father… But while as the Son He does not possess a co-eternity of past existence with the Father, the beginning of His existence, as the begotten of the Father, antedates the entire work of creation, in relation to which He stands as joint Creator with God.” Thoughts on the Book of Daniel and the Revelation p430. 1882 Uriah Smith.

“We may believe that Christ came into existence in a manner different from that in which other beings first appeared; that He sprang from the Father’s being in a way not necessary for us to understand.” The Captain of our Salvation. p17. 1886 C W Stone.

“The Scriptures declare that Christ is “the only begotten Son of God”. He is begotten, not created. As to when He was begotten, it is not for us to inquire, nor could our minds grasp it if we were told… There was a time when Christ proceeded forth and came from God, from the bosom of the Father, but that time was so far back in the days of eternity that to finite comprehension, it is practically without beginning.” Christ and His Righteousness. p9. 1890. E J Waggoner.

The angels are the sons of God, as was Adam, by creation; Christians are the sons of God by adoption (Rom 8:14, 15), but Christ is the Son of God by birth…and so Christ is the express image of the Father’s person.” ibid, p12, 1890, E J Waggoner.

“But respecting the Spirit, the Bible uses expressions which cannot be harmonized with the idea that it is a person like the Father and the Son. Rather it is shown to be a divine influence from them both, the medium which represents their presence and by which they have knowledge and power through all the universe, when not personally present.” Review & Herald. Oct 25. 1890. Uriah Smith.

“When we speak of the Spirit of God we are really speaking of His presence and power.” Review & Herald. Sept 13. 1898. J N Loughborough

“God is everywhere present by His Spirit… The presence of God is therefore His Holy Spirit; and the Holy Spirit is therefore the life of God.” Signs of the Times. Jun 2. 1898. M C Wilcox.

“He was born of the Holy Ghost. In other words, Jesus Christ was born again. He came from heaven, God’s first-born, to the earth, and was born again… He was born again, and was made partaker of the human nature, that we might be born again, and so made partakers of the divine nature.” Review & Herald. Aug 1. 1899. Lessons on Faith p154. 1899. A T Jones.

“Dear Brother Froom, From my personal knowledge the doctrine of the ‘Trinity-Godhead’, was not taught by Seventh-day Adventists during the early days of my ministry.” Letter from H Cottrell to L E Froom. Oct 16. 1931.

“Replying to your letter of October 13 regarding the doctrine of the Trinity, I will say that Seventh-day Adventists do not and never have accepted the dark, mysterious Catholic doctrine of the Trinity”. Letter from B G Wilkinson to Dr D S Teters. November 3. 1936.

“Dear Brother Froom, Mrs Soper calls to our attention the fact that you are seeking information as to the positions held by our early workers concerning the Trinity, the personality of the Holy Spirit, and the pre-existence of Christ as this may be revealed in their writings. I think we will have to concede that our early workers were not Trinitarians”. Letter from Arthur L White to L E Froom. Dec 7. 1955.


Ellen White on the pioneers’ position

“I do not wish to ignore or drop one link in the chain of evidence that was formed as, after the passing of the time in 1844, little companies of seekers after truth met together to study the Bible and to ask God for light and guidance.... The truth, point by point, was fastened in our minds so firmly that we could not doubt....The evidence given in our early experience has the same force that it had then. The truth is the same as it ever has been, and not a pin or a pillar can be moved from the structure of truth. That which was sought for out of the Word in 1844, 1845, and 1846 remains the truth today in every particular.” Ellen White, Manuscript Release Vol. 1 p52.

“Many of our people do not realize how firmly the foundation of our faith has been laid. My husband, Elder Joseph Bates, Father Pierce,* Elder [Hiram] Edson, and others who were keen, noble, and true, were among those who, after the passing of the time in 1844, searched for the truth as for hidden treasure… I would be taken off in vision, and a clear explanation of the passages we had been studying would be given me, with instruction as to how we were to labor and teach effectively. Thus light was given that helped us to understand the scriptures in regard to Christ, His mission, and His priesthood.” Ellen White, Selected Message, Vol 1, p206.

After the passing of the time in 1844 when the Millerites experienced the Great Disappointment in October 22, 1844, the remnant of the Millerites re-examined their beliefs through exhaustive bible studies.

“The way spiritualizers have disposed of or denied the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ is first using the old unscriptural Trinitarian creed, viz, that Jesus Christ is the eternal God, though they have not one passage to support it, while we have plain scripture testimony in abundance that he is the Son of the eternal God.” James White, the Day Star, January 24, 1846.

“Those who seek to remove the old landmarks are not holding fast; they are not remembering how they have received and heard. Those who try to bring in theories that would remove the pillars of our faith concerning the sanctuary or concerning the personality of God or of Christ, are working as blind men. They are seeking to bring in uncertainties and to set the people of God adrift without an anchor.” Ellen White, Manuscript Release, number 760

What theories did those blind men try to bring in concerning the personality of Christ?

“Here we might mention that Trinity, which does away the personality of God, and of His Son Jesus Christ.” James White, Review & Herald, December 11, 1855.

“God has permitted the precious light of truth to shine upon His Word and illuminate the mind of my husband. He may reflect the rays of light from the presence of Jesus upon others by his preaching and writing.” Ellen White, Testimonies Vol 3, p502, 1875.

“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.” Ellen White, Testimonies Vol 8, p268.

“God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, -- not a son by creation, as were the angels, nor a son by adoption, as is the forgiven sinner, but a Son begotten in the express image of the Father’s person…” Ellen White, Signs of the Times, May 30, 1895.

Notice the above quote from EGW is identical to what E J Waggoner wrote in “Christ and His Righteousness” page 12 in 1890.

 

[BobRyan]

What did the Adventist pioneers believe on the subject of the Trinity?

Well as we just saw - Ellen White was not only raised as a United Methods - trinitarian... she also declared the Holy Spirit to be the "third PERSON of the Godhead".

No "extreme inference" needed on that one.

 

[BobRyan]

1. We had 3 published statements of belief before Ellen White died - not one of them denied the Trinity.

2. IT was Ellen White who introduced "Third Person of the Godhead" terms into Adventist literature - and this turned the tide in favor the Trinitarian SDAs starting in the 1880's.

3. James White and others like him held such a wrong idea of the Trinity so as to oppose a doctrine that neither they nor any Christians today believe in.

For example

In 1855 J. James White published an article in the Review and Herald entitled “Preach the Word.” In dealing with Paul’s statement in 2 Timothy 4:4 “they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” he wrote, “Here we might mention the Trinity, which does away the personality of God and His Son Jesus Christ, ....”


Joseph Bates wrote in 1868, “Respecting the trinity, I concluded that it was impossible for me to believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, was also the Almighty God, the Father, one and the same being.”


4. But as their view of the definition for the term became more accurate and their understanding of the nature of God improved - the men like James White and Uriah Smith began to see no real difference between their own view of God the Father and God the Son - vs - the Trinitarian one.


But in 1876 he wrote that “S. D. Adventists hold the divinity of Christ so nearly with the Trinitarians, that we apprehend no trial here.”38 And a year later he declared his belief in the equality of the Son with the Father and condemned any view as erroneous that “makes Christ inferior to the Father.”38 (2) Originally Uriah Smith and others taught that Christ was the first created being. Later he adopted the position that Christ was begotten not created (see p. 3 above).............................

37 (The Day Star, Jan 21, 1846)

38 (Review And Herald, Oct 12, 1876)

============================


Trinity (Fundamental Belief 2)
There is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three co-eternal Persons. God is immortal, all-powerful, all-knowing, above all, and ever present. He is infinite and beyond human comprehension, yet known through His self-revelation. He is forever worthy of worship, adoration, and service by the whole creation. (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; Eph. 4:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 Tim. 1:17; Rev. 14:7.) 1 John 5:7-10 KJV Mark 12:29-30


The power of evil had been strengthening for centuries, and the submission of men to this satanic captivity was amazing. Sin could be resisted and overcome only through the mighty agency of the Third Person of the Godhead, who would come with no modified energy, but in the fullness of divine power. It is the Spirit that makes effectual what has been wrought out by the world’s Redeemer. It is by the Spirit that the heart is made pure. Through the Spirit the believer becomes a partaker of the divine nature. Christ has given His Spirit as a divine power to overcome all hereditary and cultivated tendencies to evil, and to impress His own character upon His church. {DA 671.2}

We are to co-operate with the three highest powers in heaven,—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost,—and these powers will work through us, making us workers together with God.—Special Testimonies, Series B, No. 7, p. 51. (1905). {Ev 617.3}

—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}

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,

Jesus declared, “I am the resurrection, and the life.” In Christ is life, original, unborrowed, underived. “He that hath the Son hath life.” The divinity of Christ is the believer’s assurance of eternal life.—The Desire of Ages, 530 (1898). {Ev 616.2}

 

[overcomer]

Nothing there about "one God in three persons" being condemned or wrong - as I think we have come to expect.

By contrast Christians who believe in the Trinity do claim it as "one God in Three Persons"

Where in the bible does it say 'one God in three persons'? And where does the bible call the holy spirit God? Please provide direct quotes, no interpretations.

Throughout the bible, we are taught the fact when a king makes a law, not even himself can violate it. So mathematics is the law God uses to govern His physical universe. But with the 3 persons yet 1 God mystery, we are told to just believe in "1+1+1=1". How absurd?

No matter how you choose to call it Trinity, Triunity, Triune God, if each one is God in his own right, then three of them together are 3 gods. That's polytheism. That's the root of the problem. Trinity originated from pagan Sun-worship of Nimrod, Semiramis and Tammuz. Even the symbol of Trinity is pagan Sun worship symbol.

 

[overcomer]

1. We had 3 published statements of belief before Ellen White died - not one of them denied the Trinity.

2. IT was Ellen White who introduced "Third Person of the Godhead" terms into Adventist literature - and this turned the tide in favor the Trinitarian SDAs starting in the 1880's.

3. James White and others like him held such a wrong idea of the Trinity so as to oppose a doctrine that neither they nor any Christians today believe in.

For example

In 1855 J. James White published an article in the Review and Herald entitled “Preach the Word.” In dealing with Paul’s statement in 2 Timothy 4:4 “they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” he wrote, “Here we might mention the Trinity, which does away the personality of God and His Son Jesus Christ, ....”


Joseph Bates wrote in 1868, “Respecting the trinity, I concluded that it was impossible for me to believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, was also the Almighty God, the Father, one and the same being.”


4. But as their view of the definition for the term became more accurate and their understanding of the nature of God improved - the men like James White and Uriah Smith began to see no real difference between their own view of God the Father and God the Son - vs - the Trinitarian one.


But in 1876 he wrote that “S. D. Adventists hold the divinity of Christ so nearly with the Trinitarians, that we apprehend no trial here.”38 And a year later he declared his belief in the equality of the Son with the Father and condemned any view as erroneous that “makes Christ inferior to the Father.”38 (2) Originally Uriah Smith and others taught that Christ was the first created being. Later he adopted the position that Christ was begotten not created (see p. 3 above).............................

37 (The Day Star, Jan 21, 1846)

38 (Review And Herald, Oct 12, 1876)

============================


Trinity (Fundamental Belief 2)
There is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three co-eternal Persons. God is immortal, all-powerful, all-knowing, above all, and ever present. He is infinite and beyond human comprehension, yet known through His self-revelation. He is forever worthy of worship, adoration, and service by the whole creation. (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; Eph. 4:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 Tim. 1:17; Rev. 14:7.) 1 John 5:7-10 KJV Mark 12:29-30


The power of evil had been strengthening for centuries, and the submission of men to this satanic captivity was amazing. Sin could be resisted and overcome only through the mighty agency of the Third Person of the Godhead, who would come with no modified energy, but in the fullness of divine power. It is the Spirit that makes effectual what has been wrought out by the world’s Redeemer. It is by the Spirit that the heart is made pure. Through the Spirit the believer becomes a partaker of the divine nature. Christ has given His Spirit as a divine power to overcome all hereditary and cultivated tendencies to evil, and to impress His own character upon His church. {DA 671.2}

We are to co-operate with the three highest powers in heaven,—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost,—and these powers will work through us, making us workers together with God.—Special Testimonies, Series B, No. 7, p. 51. (1905). {Ev 617.3}

—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}

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,

Jesus declared, “I am the resurrection, and the life.” In Christ is life, original, unborrowed, underived. “He that hath the Son hath life.” The divinity of Christ is the believer’s assurance of eternal life.—The Desire of Ages, 530 (1898). {Ev 616.2}

Are you copying from a Trinitarian website? Why don't you do some your own research without pre-conceived ideas so the other side of the story can be told?

In 1855 J. James White published an article in the Review and Herald entitled “Preach the Word.” In dealing with Paul’s statement in 2 Timothy 4:4 “they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” he wrote, “Here we might mention the Trinity, which does away the personality of God and His Son Jesus Christ, ....”

The pioneers did NOT have such wrong ideas about Trinity since after all, they were all Trinitarians originally.

Here is Ellen White defended the old landmarks

“I do not wish to ignore or drop one link in the chain of evidence that was formed as, after the passing of the time in 1844, little companies of seekers after truth met together to study the Bible and to ask God for light and guidance.... The truth, point by point, was fastened in our minds so firmly that we could not doubt....The evidence given in our early experience has the same force that it had then. The truth is the same as it ever has been, and not a pin or a pillar can be moved from the structure of truth. That which was sought for out of the Word in 1844, 1845, and 1846 remains the truth today in every particular.” Ellen White, Manuscript Release Vol. 1 p52.

“Many of our people do not realize how firmly the foundation of our faith has been laid. My husband, Elder Joseph Bates, Father Pierce,* Elder [Hiram] Edson, and others who were keen, noble, and true, were among those who, after the passing of the time in 1844, searched for the truth as for hidden treasure… I would be taken off in vision, and a clear explanation of the passages we had been studying would be given me, with instruction as to how we were to labor and teach effectively. Thus light was given that helped us to understand the scriptures in regard to Christ, His mission, and His priesthood.” Ellen White, Selected Message, Vol 1, p206.

After the passing of the time in 1844 when the Millerites experienced the Great Disappointment in October 22, 1844, the remnant of the Millerites re-examined their beliefs through exhaustive bible studies.

“The way spiritualizers have disposed of or denied the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ is first using the old unscriptural Trinitarian creed, viz, that Jesus Christ is the eternal God, though they have not one passage to support it, while we have plain scripture testimony in abundance that he is the Son of the eternal God.” James White, the Day Star, January 24, 1846.

“Those who seek to remove the old landmarks are not holding fast; they are not remembering how they have received and heard. Those who try to bring in theories that would remove the pillars of our faith concerning the sanctuary or concerning the personality of God or of Christ, are working as blind men. They are seeking to bring in uncertainties and to set the people of God adrift without an anchor.” Ellen White, Manuscript Release, number 760.

The trinity destroys the personality of Christ through the creed that the Son is the co-eternal God, thus denying the fact that Jesus is the begotten son of God.

So here according to Ellen White the old landmarks, the personality of Christ and the Sanctuary which were established in 1844, 1845 & 1846 can not be removed. And those who try are working as blind men. Specifically she noted her husband James White along with other pioneer were given light to understand scriptures regarding to Christ.

And about Uriah Smith...in the book Thoughts on Daniel and Revelation...he wrote against the Trinity doctrine:

“The Scriptures nowhere speak of Christ as a created being, but on the contrary plainly state that He was begotten of the Father… But while as the Son He does not possess a co-eternity of past existence with the Father, the beginning of His existence, as the begotten of the Father, antedates the entire work of creation, in relation to which He stands as joint Creator with God.” Thoughts on the Book of Daniel and the Revelation p430. 1882 Uriah Smith.

Ellen White endorsed Uriah Smith's book. She testified two brothers while in prison read this book and were converted into the truth. She said this book should be circulated as much as it can be and the book is "the helping hand of God."

“I was carrying a great burden of responsibility, for the Lord had given me instruction that the light in these books must be given to the people without delay. Their circulation must be without limit, for they contained the truths which the world needed The Thoughts on Daniel and Revelation was also to occupy the field, for the light it contained was to go to the people in all parts of the world.” {Lt59-1901.4}

“Daniel and Revelation, Great Controversy, Patriarchs and Prophets, and Desire of Ages should now go to the world. The grand instruction contained in Daniel and Revelation has been eagerly perused by many in Australia. This book has been the means of bringing many precious souls to a knowledge of the truth. Everything that can be done should be done to circulate Thoughts on Daniel and Revelation. I know of no other book that can take the place of this one. It is God’s helping hand.”—Manuscript 76, 1901

Here it presents you a dilemma. If you think she endorsed trinity from those 3 quotes among all she has written, then she must be a false prophet.

Lastly, Ellen White's writings are not the basis for any doctrine. She didn't want you to use her writings for such and she wanted you to use the bible as the final authority.

Prove all things with the scriptures.

 

[BobRyan]

1. We had 3 published statements of belief before Ellen White died - not one of them denied the Trinity.

2. IT was Ellen White who introduced "Third Person of the Godhead" terms into Adventist literature - and this turned the tide in favor the Trinitarian SDAs starting in the 1880's.

3. James White and others like him held such a wrong idea of the Trinity so as to oppose a doctrine that neither they nor any Christians today believe in.

For example

In 1855 J. James White published an article in the Review and Herald entitled “Preach the Word.” In dealing with Paul’s statement in 2 Timothy 4:4 “they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” he wrote, “Here we might mention the Trinity, which does away the personality of God and His Son Jesus Christ, ....”


Joseph Bates wrote in 1868, “Respecting the trinity, I concluded that it was impossible for me to believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, was also the Almighty God, the Father, one and the same being.”


4. But as their view of the definition for the term became more accurate and their understanding of the nature of God improved - the men like James White and Uriah Smith began to see no real difference between their own view of God the Father and God the Son - vs - the Trinitarian one.


But in 1876 he wrote that “S. D. Adventists hold the divinity of Christ so nearly with the Trinitarians, that we apprehend no trial here.”38 And a year later he declared his belief in the equality of the Son with the Father and condemned any view as erroneous that “makes Christ inferior to the Father.”38 (2) Originally Uriah Smith and others taught that Christ was the first created being. Later he adopted the position that Christ was begotten not created (see p. 3 above).............................

37 (The Day Star, Jan 21, 1846)

38 (Review And Herald, Oct 12, 1876)

============================


Trinity (Fundamental Belief 2)
There is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three co-eternal Persons. God is immortal, all-powerful, all-knowing, above all, and ever present. He is infinite and beyond human comprehension, yet known through His self-revelation. He is forever worthy of worship, adoration, and service by the whole creation. (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; Eph. 4:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 Tim. 1:17; Rev. 14:7.) 1 John 5:7-10 KJV Mark 12:29-30


The power of evil had been strengthening for centuries, and the submission of men to this satanic captivity was amazing. Sin could be resisted and overcome only through the mighty agency of the Third Person of the Godhead, who would come with no modified energy, but in the fullness of divine power. It is the Spirit that makes effectual what has been wrought out by the world’s Redeemer. It is by the Spirit that the heart is made pure. Through the Spirit the believer becomes a partaker of the divine nature. Christ has given His Spirit as a divine power to overcome all hereditary and cultivated tendencies to evil, and to impress His own character upon His church. {DA 671.2}

We are to co-operate with the three highest powers in heaven,—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost,—and these powers will work through us, making us workers together with God.—Special Testimonies, Series B, No. 7, p. 51. (1905). {Ev 617.3}

—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}

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,

Jesus declared, “I am the resurrection, and the life.” In Christ is life, original, unborrowed, underived. “He that hath the Son hath life.” The divinity of Christ is the believer’s assurance of eternal life.—The Desire of Ages, 530 (1898). {Ev 616.2}

Are you copying from a Trinitarian website?

Adventists are Trinitarian and these quotes above are from Adventists -- so ... I guess you could say I am copying from them - since I am posting their quotes here.

That was not the "news" was it??

How many non-Trinitarians call the Holy Spirit "the third Person of the Godhead"?? I don't find many doing that.
How many non-Trinitarians speak of " eternal heavenly dignitaries—God, and Christ, and the Holy Spirit"??

The pioneers did NOT have such wrong ideas about Trinity since after all, they were all Trinitarians originally

That is totally false.

Uriah Smith and James White were both from the Christian Connection (Church of the brethren) which is non-Trinitarian.

It is Ellen White - that was United Methodist and that speaks of the "Third person of the Godhead" being the Holy Spirit.



“Many of our people do not realize how firmly the foundation of our faith has been laid. My husband, Elder Joseph Bates, Father Pierce,* Elder [Hiram] Edson, and others who were keen, noble, and true, were among those who, after the passing of the time in 1844, searched for the truth as for hidden treasure… I would be taken off in vision, and a clear explanation of the passages we had been studying would be given me, with instruction as to how we were to labor and teach effectively. Thus light was given that helped us to understand the scriptures in regard to Christ, His mission, and His priesthood.” Ellen White, Selected Message, Vol 1, p206.

is a great example of Ellen White NOT pointing to James White as an expert on the deity of Christ.

 

[BobRyan]

First I post this
One God - "Hear o' Israel the Lord your God is ONE" - Deut 6:4 - Mark 12:29
Three persons - "in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit" Matt 28.

Then you post this

Where in the bible does it say 'one God in three persons'? .

Now... I post this
One God - "Hear o' Israel the Lord your God is ONE" - Deut 6:4 - Mark 12:29
Three persons - "in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit" Matt 28.

 

[BobRyan]

And where does the bible call the holy spirit God? .

Hebrews 10
14 For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. 15 And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying,
16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them
After those days, says the LORD:
I will put My laws upon their heart,
And on their mind I will write them,”
He then says,
17 “And their sins and their lawless deeds
I will remember no more.”


Jer 31:31-33
31 “Behold, days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, 32 not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them,” declares the LORD.

LORD all upper case - is always YHWH.

And Hebrews 10 -- says that is the Holy Spirit speaking - and so is in fact YHWH!

=======================================

You have chosen to debate the Trinity - the One God in three persons doctrine of the SDA church.

It is one thing to debate the church on that point - that happens all the time. It is another thing not to know that the SDA church affirms One God in three Divine Persons.

 

[overcomer]

Adventists are Trinitarian and these quotes above are from Adventists -- so ... I guess you could say I am copying from them - since I am posting their quotes here.

That was not the "news" was it??

How many non-Trinitarians call the Holy Spirit "the third Person of the Godhead"?? I don't find many doing that.
How many non-Trinitarians speak of " eternal heavenly dignitaries—God, and Christ, and the Holy Spirit"??

Right. I figured that much.

That is totally false.
Uriah Smith and James White were both from the Christian Connection (Church of the brethren) which is non-Trinitarian.

It is Ellen White - that was United Methodist and that speaks of the "Third person of the Godhead" being the Holy Spirit.

Uriah Smith's parents were Millerites. He was 12 in 1844. He certainly was not from Christian Connection.

“At first they were generally Trinitarians; subsequently they have almost unanimously, rejected the Trinitarian doctrine as unscriptural.” Article by Joshua V Himes entitled ‘Christian Connection’ from Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge. Ed. T Newton Brown 1835 p382.

Anyway vast majority of Adventist pioneers were Trinitarians originally because most of they came of the protestant churches.

“Many of our people do not realize how firmly the foundation of our faith has been laid. My husband, Elder Joseph Bates, Father Pierce,* Elder [Hiram] Edson, and others who were keen, noble, and true, were among those who, after the passing of the time in 1844, searched for the truth as for hidden treasure… I would be taken off in vision, and a clear explanation of the passages we had been studying would be given me, with instruction as to how we were to labor and teach effectively. Thus light was given that helped us to understand the scriptures in regard to Christ, His mission, and His priesthood.” Ellen White, Selected Message, Vol 1, p206.

is a great example of Ellen White NOT pointing to James White as an expert on the deity of Christ.

James White and the pioneers were given the light regarding to the personality of Christ. The two EGW quotes prove it.

 

[overcomer]

First I post this
One God - "Hear o' Israel the Lord your God is ONE" - Deut 6:4 - Mark 12:29
Three persons - "in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit" Matt 28.

Then you post this

Now... I post this
One God - "Hear o' Israel the Lord your God is ONE" - Deut 6:4 - Mark 12:29
Three persons - "in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit" Matt 28.

Putting two verses together does not prove 3-in-1 God.

Matt 28:19 says nothing about their relationship, nothing about the personality of the son and nothing about the divinity of the holy spirit.