Questions and Answers
Trinitarians use John 14:16-17 to teach that the Comforter is ANOTHER PERSON OTHER than Christ Himself. However, Our Lord Jesus Christ EXPRESSLY SAID that HE HIMSELF WOULD COME TO US (John 14:18) and BE IN US (John 14:20), for HE WOULD MANIFEST HIMSELF TO US (John 14:21-22). Read carefully John 14:16-23.
(Question) - John 14:16 - Who is the "Comforter" (Greek: parakletos)?
(Answer) - 1 John 2:1 ..'My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have AN ADVOCATE (GREEK: PARAKLETOS) with the Father, JESUS CHRIST THE RIGHTEOUS:'
"Let them link up with one another and WITH CHRIST. Let them study the seventeenth of John, and learn how to pray and how to live the prayer of Christ. HE IS THE COMFORTER. He will abide in their hearts, making their joy full. His words will be to them as the bread of life." (RH, Jan 7, 1903 )
(Question) - John 14:16 - What did Christ mean by 'another?'
(Answer) – He meant ANOTHER FORM by HIS HOLY SPIRIT as the OMNIPRESENT. The Holy Spirit is ANOTHER FORM of the SAME PERSON, NOT a third divine being called "God the Holy Spirit".
"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." (14MR 23.3)
(Question) - John 14:16 - Who will 'abide with you forever'
(Answer) - Matthew 28:20 ...'Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, even unto the end of the world. Amen.'
"While JESUS ministers in the sanctuary above, HE IS STILL BY HIS SPIRIT THE MINISTER OF THE CHURCH ON EARTH. He is withdrawn from the eye of sense, but HIS PARTING PROMISE IS FULFILLED, 'LO, I AM WITH YOU ALWAY, EVEN UNTO THE END OF THE WORLD.' MATTHEW 28:20. While He delegates His power to inferior ministers, HIS ENERGIZING PRESENCE is still with His church." (DA 166.2)
(Question) - John 14:17 - Who is 'truth?'
(Answer) - John 14:6 ..' JESUS SAITH unto him, I AM the way, THE TRUTH, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.'
(Question) - John 14:17 - Who is the 'Spirit of truth?'
(Answer) - Galatians 4:6-7 ..'And because ye are sons, God HATH SENT FORTH THE SPIRIT OF HIS SON INTO YOUR HEARTS, CRYING, ABBA, FATHER. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God THROUGH CHRIST.'
"The only safeguard against his power is found in the PRESENCE OF JESUS. Before men and angels Satan has been revealed as man's enemy and destroyer; Christ, as man's friend and deliverer. HIS SPIRIT WILL DEVELOP IN MAN all that will ennoble the character and dignify the nature. IT WILL BUILD MAN UP for the glory of God in body and soul and spirit." (DA 341)
(Question) - John 14:17 - Did Christ ever refer to Himself as 'He?'
(Answer) - John 10:2-4, 16-18..'BUT HE that entereth in by the door IS THE SHEPHERD OF THE SHEEP. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep HEAR HIS VOICE: and HE CALLETH HIS OWN SHEEP by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep FOLLOW HIM: for they KNOW HIS VOICE. ... I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall HEAR MY VOICE; and there shall be one fold, and ONE SHEPHERD.'
"But little did they yet suspect who their traveling companion was. They did not think that the subject of their conversation was walking by their side; for CHRIST REFERRED TO HIMSELF AS THOUGH HE WERE ANOTHER PERSON." (DA, 800)
(Question) - John 14:18 - Does Christ 'come to you?'
(Answer) - Revelation 3:20 ...'Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I WILL COME IN TO HIM, and will sup with him, and he with me.'
"ONLY CHRIST CAN CLEANSE THE SOUL TEMPLE. But He will not force an entrance. He comes not into the heart as to the temple of old; but He says, 'Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I WILL COME IN TO HIM.' REVELATION 3:20. HE WILL COME, not for one day merely; for He says, 'I will dwell in them, and walk in them; ... and they shall be My people.' 'He will subdue our iniquities; and Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.' 2 Corinthians 6:16; Micah 7:19. HIS PRESENCE WILL CLEANSE AND SANCTIFY THE SOUL, so that it may be a holy temple unto the Lord, and 'an habitation of God through the Spirit.' Ephesians 2:21, 22." (DA, 161)
(Question) - John 14:20 - What does 'in my Father' mean?
(Answer) - John 14:10 ..'Believest thou not that I AM IN THE FATHER, AND THE FATHER IN ME? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but THE FATHER THAT DWELLETH IN ME, he doeth the works.'
"THE FATHER HIMSELF suffered with the Son; FOR 'GOD WAS IN CHRIST, reconciling the world unto himself.' Man, with his human, finite judgment, cannot safely question the wisdom of God." (ST December 30, 1889, par. 2)
(Question) - John 14:20 - Is Christ 'in you?'
(Answer) - Galatians 2:20 ..'I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but CHRIST LIVETH IN ME: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.'
"When God's people take the position that they are the temple of the Holy Ghost, CHRIST HIMSELF ABIDING WITHIN, they will so clearly reveal Him in spirit, words and actions, that there will be an unmistakable distinction between them and Satan's followers." (Ms100, July 14, 1902)
(Question) - John 14:21-22 - Does Christ 'manifest Himself?'
(Answer) - 2 Corinthians 3:14-17 ..'But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; WHICH VAIL IS DONE AWAY IN CHRIST. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall TURN TO THE LORD, THE VAIL SHALL BE TAKEN AWAY. Now THE LORD IS THAT SPIRIT: and where the Spirit OF THE LORD is, there is liberty.'
"He that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, AND I WILL LOVE HIM, AND WILL MANIFEST MYSELF TO HIM.' Jesus read the future of His disciples. He saw one brought to the scaffold, one to the cross, one to exile among the lonely rocks of the sea, others to persecution and death. HE ENCOURAGED THEM WITH THE PROMISE THAT IN EVERY TRIAL HE WOULD BE WITH THEM. That promise has lost none of its force. The Lord knows all about His faithful servants who for His sake are lying in prison or who are banished to lonely islands. HE COMFORTS THEM WITH HIS OWN PRESENCE. When for the truth's sake the believer stands at the bar of unrighteous tribunals, CHRIST STANDS BY HIS SIDE. All the reproaches that fall upon him, fall upon Christ. Christ is condemned over again in the person of His disciple. When one is incarcerated in prison walls, CHRIST RAVISHES THE HEART WITH HIS LOVE." (DA 669)
(Question) - John 14:23 - Christ said "we will come" - Who comes with Christ?
(Answer) - John 17:20-23 ...'Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; AS THOU, FATHER, ART IN ME, AND I IN THEE, THAT THEY ALSO MAY BE ONE IN US: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that THEY MAY BE ONE, EVEN AS WE ARE ONE: I IN THEM, AND THOU IN ME, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.'
(Question) - Did Christ talk about the Comforter in proverbs?
(Answer) - John 16:25 ..."These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father."
"The thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of John need careful study and earnest practice if we honor God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent." (Lt16j-1892.3)
(Question) - Why do we need to know that Jesus Christ is the Comforter?
(Answer) - Revelation 3:18 ..."I COUNSEL THEE TO BUY OF ME gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and WHITE RAIMENT, THAT THOU MAYEST BE CLOTHED, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see."
"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.' CHRIST has all power in heaven and in earth, and he CAN STRENGTHEN THE WAVERING, AND SET RIGHT THE ERRING." (RH, August 26, 1890)
(Question) - Finally, is this an eternal life issue?
(Answer) - John 17:3 ..."And THIS IS LIFE ETERNAL, THAT THEY MIGHT KNOW THEE THE ONLY TRUE GOD, AND JESUS CHRIST, WHOM THOU HAST SENT."
"My brethren and sisters, STUDY THE THIRTEENTH, FOURTEENTH, FIFTEENTH, SIXTEENTH, AND SEVENTEENTH CHAPTERS OF JOHN. The words of these chapters explain themselves. 'THIS IS LIFE ETERNAL,' CHRIST DECLARED, 'THAT THEY MIGHT KNOW THEE THE ONLY TRUE GOD, AND JESUS CHRIST, WHOM THOU HAST SENT.' In these words THE PERSONALITY OF GOD AND OF HIS SON IS CLEARLY SPOKEN OF. The personality of the one does not do away with the necessity for the personality of the other." (Lt232-1903.48)
"Let the brightest example the world has yet seen be your example, rather than the greatest and most learned men of the age, WHO KNOW NOT GOD, NOR JESUS CHRIST WHOM HE HAS SENT. THE FATHER AND THE SON ALONE ARE TO BE EXALTED." (The Youth's Instructor, July 7, 1898, par. 2)
Questions about the Holy Spirit for Trinitarians:
1. Is there one verse, anywhere in Scripture, where God speaks to and/or expresses His love for the Holy Spirit, as He often does to His only begotten Son?
2. Is there one verse, anywhere in Scripture, where God's only begotten Son speaks to and/or expresses His love for the Holy Spirit, as He often does to His God and Father?
3. Is there one verse, anywhere in Scripture, where the Holy Spirit speaks to and/or expresses His love for either God or the Son of God, as God and His Son often do towards one another?
4. Is there one verse, anywhere in Scripture, where the Holy Spirit expresses His love toward us as does the Father and the Son?
5. Is there one verse, anywhere in Scripture, where we are told that we will ever see and/or meet the Holy Spirit?
6. Is there one verse, anywhere in Scripture, where the Holy Spirit is spoken of as sitting on a throne in heaven?
7. Is there one verse, anywhere in Scripture, where “one divine being” (which trinity claims) is said to be three persons?
8. Is there one verse, anywhere in Scripture, where we find any of these terms mentioned: trinity, triune or God the Holy Spirit?
9. Why does the Scripture almost always mention the Holy Spirit as a possessive pronoun/noun, as in ‘His Spirit’, His Holy Spirit’, ‘Spirit OF God’ or ‘Spirit OF Christ’?
10. According to Matthew 1:20, we read, “fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.”
Question: If the Holy Spirit is a separate being as trinity claims, then how is it that, Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and yet Christ continually prayed to and addressed God the Father, not the Holy Spirit, as His father (Matthew 10:32-33; Matthew 11:25-27; Matthew 12:50; Matthew 15:13; Matthew 16:17; Matthew 16:27; Matthew 18:10; Matthew 18:35). Never did Christ referred Holy Spirit as His father.
11. Galatians 4:4-6 says, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, GOD HATH SENT FORTH THE SPIRIT OF HIS SON INTO YOUR HEARTS, CRYING, ABBA, FATHER.”
Question: If the Holy Spirit is another deity other than Christ’s own spirit, than why would he call God the Father “Abba”? Are there two sons in the Godhead?
12. Speaking of Jesus' Second Coming, Matthew 24:36 (and Mark 13:32) tells us, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but ONLY THE FATHER.” When asked, "If Jesus was God (being omniscient), why did He not know when He would return? A Trinitarian may answer, “When Christ became a man, He voluntarily restricted the use of certain divine attributes… His omniscience, omnipresence, etc.”
Question still remains: Why doesn’t the Holy Spirit know, isn’t the Holy Spirit also a divine being who is omniscient as the Father? Why ONLY the Father knows?
13. In Matthew 11:27 it says, “All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, BUT THE FATHER; neither knoweth any man the Father, SAVE THE SON, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.”
Question: How is it that only the Father knows the Son and vise a versa but the Holy Spirit is excluded? It also says, “and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.” Does this mean then that the Holy Spirit is also dependent on the Son to get to know the Father
14. In John 1:18 it says, “No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.”
Question: How is it that “no one hath seen God at any time” except the Son? Surely, if the Holy Spirit was a being and was present during the creation week as trinity doctrine claims then He would have certainly seen the Father.
15. How is it that the Holy Spirit doesn’t have a name, as does the Father and the Son
The name “Jesus” comes from the Greek name “Iesous”, a rendition of the Hebrew Yeshua (ישוע) but if you look up Iēsous in the Strong’s Concordance, it has its origin in Hebrew which is, יְהוֹשׁוּעַ Yĕhowshuwa` (yeh·hō·shü'·ah; Strong's H3091). So the Messiah’s original name in Hebrew is Yĕhowshuwa. (“and thou shalt call his name JESUS” Matthew 1:21)
According to Strong’s Bible Concordance, the Father’s name (translated as LORD in KJV) given in Hebrew is Yĕhovah, pronounced, “yeh·hō·vä”. This is a vocalization of the Tetragrammaton, more commonly referred to as Jehovah which is an anglicized representation of Hebrew יְהֹוָה-YHWH)
Strong's Number H3068 matches the Hebrew יְהֹוָה (Yĕhovah), which occurs 6519 times in 5521 verses in the Hebrew concordance of the KJV.
16. If the Holy Spirit is a divine person like the Father and the Son then why does the Scripture refer to the Holy Spirit as an IT? Father and the Son were never referred as IT.
Romans 8:16 says, “The Spirit itself [not himself ] beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” Similarly, Romans 8:26 says “the Spirit itself [again, not himself ] maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”