"As Much A Person"

Excerpted from: As Much A Person. For the full list see: Putting the Pieces Together.

From Evangelism: “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.)”{Evangelism, p. 616}

This statement is talking about the Lord Jesus (when it is read in its original context). The statement appearing in Evangelism is edited to suit the bias of the compilers. This is a classic example of misquotation. We were warned very plainly not to do this with the Spirit of Prophecy:

“There are many who interpret that which I write in the light of their own preconceived opinions. You know what this means. A division in understanding and diverse opinions is the sure result.” {E. G. White, Selected Messages Book 3, p. 79}

“There are some, who upon accepting erroneous theories, strive to establish them by collecting from my writings statements of truth, which they use, separated from their proper connection and perverted by association with error. Thus seeds of heresy, springing up and growing rapidly into strong plants, are surrounded by many precious plants of truth, and in this way a mighty effort is made to vindicate the genuineness of the spurious plants.” {E. G. White, This Day With God, p. 126}

Now let us look at that statement in its full context (which is hidden from the reader of Evangelism).

“The Lord says this because He knows it is for our good. He would build a wall around us, to keep us from transgression, so that His blessing and love may be bestowed on us in rich measure. This is the reason we have established a school here. The Lord instructed us that this was the place in which we should locate, and we have had every reason to think that we are in the right place. We have been brought together as a school, and we need to realize that the Holy Spirit, who is as much a person as God is a person, is walking through these grounds, unseen by human eyes; that the Lord God is our Keeper and Helper. He hears every word we utter and knows every thought of the mind.”{E. G. White, Sermons and Talks Volume Two, pp. 136, 137} {Also appearing in Manuscript Releases Vol. 7, p. 299}

As can be plainly seen, the statement appearing in Evangelism was doctored (altered) by the editors to suit their own thinking. In 1946 the editors and compilers of Evangelism (compiled by LeRoy E. Froom and friends) selected a number of E. G. White statements on the Godhead (about 6-8) which seemed to imply that she was teaching the trinity doctrine. Remember, the book Evangelism by Ellen White is a compilation with subheadings she did not supply. They are supplied by Froom and friends, such as the use of the word “Trinity.” She never used the word in all her writings. It was LeRoy Froom who supplied the word trinity in the subheadings of the book Evangelism, as well as the carefully “selected” (and edited) quotes by Ellen White on the Godhead.

Yet the prophet has not failed to warn us of such attempts either.as much a person

“There will be those once united with us in the faith who will search for new, strange doctrines, for something odd and sensational to present to the people. They will bring in all conceivable fallacies,and will present them as coming from Mrs. White, that they may beguile souls.” {E. G. White,Selected Messages Book 1, p. 41}

Who has a right to meddle with the words of the inspired Messenger? Why should the editors of Evangelism feel a need to place a full stop where the prophet places a comma and continues her explanation? Why should they thus cut up this sentence? Anyone reading the whole paragraph should know the answer...

Let us now examine the statement carefully in its full context. Mrs. White is not talking of more than one individual, for she is using the singular pronoun “he” all through. If she were talking of more than one she would have used “they” rather than “he.” Therefore, she is talking only of one person; “The Lord.” It is “The Lord” who is our keeper, not someone else. The Lord is the one who hears every word. It is the Lord who is “unseen by human eyes”. And even though He is there by His Holy Spirit yet He is as much a real person as if He were here physically! This is the meaning of that statement. His personal presence is His person, which is as much a person as He is a person.

Now let us compare the Spirit of Prophecy (the key) here a little and there a little:

“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}

How plain! When Christ speaks of the Spirit He is referring “to his person” (not to a different person other than Himself). This is why it is as much a person as God is a person, for it is His very own person!

“Christ walks unseen through our streets. With messages of mercy He comes to our homes. With all who are seeking to minister in His name, He waits to co-operate. He is in the midst of us, to heal and to bless, if we will receive Him.” {E. G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 107}

“Remember that Jesus is beside you wherever you go, noting your actions and listening to your words. Would you be ashamed to hear his voice speaking to you, and to know that he hears your conversation?” {E. G. White, The Youth’s Instructor, February 4, 1897 par. 3}

Who walks unseen in our streets? Who is it that listens to our words and hears our conversation? Why, it is Jesus who is beside us. But, how is He beside us?

“That Christ should manifest Himself to them, and yet be invisible to the world, was a mystery to the disciples. They could not understand the words of Christ in their spiritual sense. They were thinking of the outward, visible manifestation. They could not take in the fact that they could have the presence of Christ with them, and yet He be unseen by the world. They did not understand the meaning of a spiritual manifestation.” {E. G. White, The Southern Work, September 13, 1898 par. 2}

“By the Spirit the Father and the Son will come and make their abode with you.” {E. G. White, Bible Echo and Signs of the Times, January 15, 1893 par. 8}

“The Lord Jesus standing by the side of the canvasser, walking with them, is the chief worker. If we recognize Christ as the One who is with us to prepare the way, the Holy Spirit by our side will make impressions in just the lines needed.” {E. G. White, Colporteur Ministry, p. 107}

Therefore, we rightly conclude that the Holy Spirit is the unseen personal presence of the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit is the unseen person of Christ.