Receiving of the Fullness of the Godhead – The Holy Spirit

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Holy Spirit – Fullness of The Godhead
Faith-and-Holy-Spirit
“As in humility they submitted to the molding influence of the Holy Spirit, they received of the fullness of the Godhead and were fashioned in the likeness of the divine.” {Ellen White BLJ 21.3}

A man who submits himself to the molding influence of the Holy Spirit receives the fullness of the Godhead. We are told that the fullness of the Godhead is the Holy Spirit. And we are told that it fashions us in the likeness of the divine. Partakers of the divine nature.

“The Comforter that Christ promised to send after He ascended to heaven, is the Spirit in all the fulness of the Godhead.” (Ellen White spTB07 Page 63)

The Godhead – Divinity

The word “Godhead” is a very misunderstood word. Some believe that it refers to a three in one God called the Trinity, and they use this word to refer to the trinity because this word is found in the bible as well as the spirit of prophecy, but the word trinity is not found. This word “Godhead” is used only three times in the bible.

Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

In this verse we are seeing that the “Godhead” belongs to someone. It says “His..power and Godhead”. Therefore the Godhead must then belong to someone. He owns it. It is likened to “His…power”. In the Spirit of prophecy this verse is quoted from another version of the bible.

“The invisible things of Him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even His everlasting power and divinity.” Romans 1:20, A.R.V.”(Ministry of Healing page 410)

Here we see that the word “Godhead” in Romans 1:20 is translated “divinity” in this version of scripture quoted by Ellen White. This is a quote from the chapter “A true knowledge of God” in the book Ministry of Healing. This book tells us that the “Godhead” is “His…divinity”.

God’s Godhead (Divinity)

So who does the word “His” refer to in the context of this verse? It is referring to God. And therefore it is God’s Godhead. He is the possessor of all power and divinity. He is the Father.

Rom 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

He showed it to them by revealing his power and divinity in the things that He has made.

Rom 1:7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

God the Father is the one who showed it to us. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the channel which He has used to show us. The channel by which we receive His Spirit.

Rev 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

The Channel of Blessing

The father is the source of that spirit. When we look at the sanctuary in heaven we see that the father is the source of living water and all things come through his son Jesus.

Rev 22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

So that river of living water flows from the source. What is the water a symbol of?

Joh 7:38-39 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water(But this spake he of the Spirit….

That living water that flows from the throne of God is the spirit. It flows through his son Jesus Christ and out through all of the children of God. As Jesus said it will even proceed out of you. But the source is none other than the father.

1Co 8:6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

As we have already read earlier by receiving the Holy Spirit “they received of the fullness of the Godhead”. They were partakers of the divine.

2Pe 1:3-4 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: (4) Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

If the “divine nature” is the Godhead, then we therefore are “partakers of the Godhead” and have “received of the fullness of the Godhead”. That’s the gospel. And a very important part of it to say the least.

We are not partakers of a 3 in 1 God. We are partakers of our Father’s divinity.

godhead trinity adventist
The Godhead is not three gods.

Christ the Fullness of the Godhead Manifest

“The Son is all the fulness of the Godhead manifested.”{SpTB07 63}

To see the fullness of the Godhead manifested, or the fullness of God’s divinity manifest, His Holy Spirit, the only way by which this could happen is by beholding Christ, or Christ manifest in the “things that are made”. In his saints, in his angels. “God was manifest in the flesh”(1 Tim 3:16), Christ is manifest in you. (Revelation 14:7, Col 1:27, 1 John 4:3, 4) Because “The Lord is that Spirit”(2 Cor 3:17) and we have “One Lord Jesus Christ by whom are all things.”(1 Cor 8:6)

The Father the fullness of the Godhead Invisible

Joh 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

No man has seen God at any time. He is invisible to mortal sight. Christ who is the only begotten Son of Him has made Him manifest or “he hath declared him”(John 1:18)

“The Father is all the fulness of the Godhead bodily, and is invisible to mortal sight.” {SpTB07 62}

The Father loves to give good gifts to his children. (Luke 11:9-13) The gift of the Holy Spirit is a very special gift, and God was well pleased that in his Son should all the fullness dwell. (Col 1:19)

Christ Inherited the Divinity of God by Birthright

Christ is the ONLY BEGOTTEN of God. He is the only one who by birth could have been born with the same nature as God. No other being has been begotten of God.

Col 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

The dedication of the first-born had its origin in the earliest times. God had promised to give the First-born of heaven to save the sinner.” {Ellen White The Desire of Ages, p. 51}

What does this birth entitle Him too?

Col 1:19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

The fullness of what?

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

Therefore, Christ is the fullness of the Godhead by birth in heaven from earliest times. He has by birth a more excellent nature than the angels. Note carefully the following quotes which talk about the reception of the nature, form, and substance of God by His Son.

“A complete offering has been made; for “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, and in all the brightness of his majesty and glory, one equal with God in authority, dignity, and divine perfection. In him dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” (Ellen White, The Signs of the Times, May 30, 1895)

When was he begotten in the express image of God?

“Before Christ came in the likeness of men, he existed in the express image of his Father.” (Ellen White, Youth’s Instructor, December 20, 1900)

Christ was begotten in the express image of the Father’s person before he came in the likeness of men. Some say that he wasn’t born or begotten until he became a man. But the above tells us he was begotten in the express image of his Father before he was made in the likeness of men.

I truly believe that to deny that Christ really was a literal Son before coming in the likeness of men denies the love of our Father. (1 John 4:9) And it also makes the Father out to be a liar. (1 John 5:10) Because it is denying what Father gave to His Son, the fullness of His divinity, his Godhead, and it denies what Father is giving to us. His only begotten Son, the fullness of the Godhead manifest.

Heb 1:3-5 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; (4) Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. (5) For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?

He was in this form “Before Christ came in the likeness of men.” Hebrews 1 refers to his God nature, which was “better than the angels.”(Heb 1:4) Hebrews 2 refers to his human nature which was “lower than the angels”(Heb 2:7-9)

Receiving the Comforter – The Holy Spirit – Christ in You

This is the new birth, this is necessary to becoming a Son of God.

Rom 8:14-16 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (15) For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (16) The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Without receiving this, we are yet to become part of God’s family, yet to become children. If when we are led by the Spirit we are receiving the fullness of the Godhead and are fashioned in the similitude of the divine. It is not any wonder that we are receiving Christ in us.

Col 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

If the fullness of Godhead or divinity dwells in Christ bodily, and we are the body of Christ, the manifestation of his body, the arms, legs, feet, etc. Then we have received the fullness of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit.

If the fullness of that Spirit is manifest in his saints, then we should recognize that “spirit of truth” when he comes. John said:

1Jn 4:1-6 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. (2) Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: (3) And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. (4) Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (5) They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. (6) We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

“Hereby know we the Spirit of God…hereby know we the spirit of truth.”(1 John 4:1-6) We know it. He dwells in us. “Greater is He that is in you”. Do you confess that He is dwelling in your flesh?(1 John 4:3,4) Do you know Him? Do you know “the comforter…the Spirit of truth”(John 14:16-18) Is Jesus Christ dwelling in your flesh? If we deny him to be dwelling in our flesh, we are teaching antichrist doctrine.

Joh 14:16-17 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.

Many when they read these verses regarding the comforter or “spirit of truth” stop right there. But Jesus is saying right here, “he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you”. Who is dwelling with them? Jesus answers in the next verse:

Joh 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

“The Saviour is our Comforter. This I have proved Him to be.” (Ellen White, Manuscript Releases, vol. 8, page 49)

“The nights are long and painful, but Jesus is my Comforter and my Hope.” (Ellen White, Manuscript Releases, vol. 19, page 296)

“Christ is everything to those who receive Him. He is their Comforter, their safety, their healthfulness. Apart from Christ there is no light at all.” (Ellen White, Manuscript Releases, vol. 21, page 372)

“There is no comforter like Christ, so tender and so true. He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities. His Spirit speaks to the heart.… The influence of the Holy Spirit is the life of Christ in the soul.” (Ellen White, Review & Herald, October 26, 1897)

How does he manifest himself? In his disciples, in his angels.

“Work will be done in the simplicity of true godliness, and the old, old times will be back when, under the Holy Spirit’s guidance, thousands were converted in a day. When the truth in its simplicity is lived in every place, then God will work through His angels as He worked on the day of Pentecost, and hearts will be changed so decidedly that there will be a manifestation of the influence of genuine truth, as is represented in the descent of the Holy Spirit.” {Ellen White SpTB07 63-64}

So how then can we recognize this third manifestation of God’s divinity or Godhead when it comes if we don’t know how it can be manifest like it was through the angels on Pentecost, or through those who accept Christ the comforter to dwell in them?

We are to “try the spirits.”(1 John 4:1) God will reveal it by the fruit. (Gal 5:22, 23, Matt 7:20)

The Fruit of the Spirit – Peace

God’s spirit is a spirit that brings peace. Peace being the opposite of war, or strife.

Eph 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

The fruit of the spirit is “love, joy, peace”(Gal 5:22) When we have this spirit there is no more strife, or fighting, no more feelings of self focus, self justification, self defence.

Psa 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

To be defensive, or to strive with others, to complain is against the faith, and is a sign that we have not got Christ dwelling in us, it is a sign that we don’t have that “peace”, and that we are yet to become a “Son of God” and filled with “the fullness of Him that filleth all in all.”(Eph 1:22, 23)

Eph 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.river of life godhead holy spirit

And by this we know we are the children of God. When we receive the Spirit of adoption.

Mat 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

When we accept the spirit of God there are no more divisions. There is unity. When we don’t have the Holy Spirit, there are divisions.

1Co 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

When we do not have the Spirit, we are carnal, we have no unity, we have division, we have no peace, we have strife.

Jas 3:14-18 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. (15) This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. (16) For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. (17) But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. (18) And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Summary:

1. God is a single person.

2. He has a Godhead, which is His divine nature.

3. He is the Father of Jesus Christ,

4. God is the fullness of the Godhead invisible to mortal sight. No man has seen God at any time.

5. Christ is the only begotten Son of God.

6. Christ by inheritance received all the fullness of the Godhead

7. He is all the fullness of the Godhead visible.

8. And the Holy Spirit “is the Spirit in all the fulness of the Godhead.” The third manifestation of His (God the Father’s) Godhead.

9. The Holy Spirit is the Comforter

10. Christ is the Comforter

11. We receive Christ in us.

12. We receive that Spirit

13. We receive of the fullness of the Godhead

14. When we have the Spirit, we have peace and unity among brethren and we can no longer complain about others, or strive with one another, or argue to win, because we know our identity as sons of God.

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