Understanding Deep Doctrines: The Godhead

There are two "beings" to consider with Christ: His humanity and His divinity. Ellen White is clear that His humanity was created. As such, it did not always exist--which we should already know from Numbers 23:19 where God says clearly that He is not a man, nor the son of man.

God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? (Numbers 23:19)

Mrs. Ellen G. White, who received inspired instruction from God and His angels, often by means of visions and sometimes the angels stood by her side to give her the words to write, had much to say on the subject of Jesus Christ and His nature.

I will try to answer this important question: As God He could not be tempted: but as a man He could be tempted, and that strongly, and could yield to the temptations. His human nature must pass through the same test and trial Adam and Eve passed through. His human nature was created; it did not even possess the angelic powers. It was human, identical with our own. He was passing over the ground where Adam fell. He was now where, if He endured the test and trial in behalf of the fallen race, He would redeem Adam's disgraceful failure and fall, in our own humanity. {6MR 111.1}

God cannot be tempted, but man can. If God was not tempted in the wilderness, as Mrs. White tells us, then who was? Not God. It was Man. A separate entity (being) from God. A created "nature" (Ellen White's term). Thus we see that while the "Son of Man" is a separate being from God the Father, it is the Father who is God. This is why the Bible also speaks of God the Father as the only true God.

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. (1 Corinthians 8:6).

The Bible is clear that there is one God, and one Lord (separate from God, i.e. not God). Consider 1 Corinthians 8:6 for one clear example of this.

Ellen White is clear that Jesus, who WAS tempted in the Wilderness, was not GOD being tempted. See James 1:13 for the reason it could NOT have been God who was tempted.

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: (James 1:13)

Was Jesus God? Yes AND no. He was BOTH God and man. The pioneers sometimes referred to Him as the God-man. Mrs. White says:

. . . Christ took upon Himself humanity, that He might reach humanity. Divinity needed humanity; for it required both the divine and the human to bring salvation to the world. Divinity needed humanity, that humanity might afford a channel of communication between God and man. So with the servants and messengers of Christ. Man needs a power outside of and beyond himself, to restore him to the likeness of God, and enable him to do the work of God; but this does not make the human agency unessential. Humanity lays hold upon divine power, Christ dwells in the heart by faith; and through co-operation with the divine, the power of man becomes efficient for good. {DA 296.4}

Now, take that statement to heart. Christ took "humanity" upon Himself. "Humanity lays hold upon divine power." If we do this, we become "efficient for good." But do we become divine? Do we become God?

Christ's humanity was never God, nor ever will be. The Bible refers to Him, in His human Sonship, as our Lord. When we speak of Him as our God, we refer to the divine which indwelt His humanity, and not to His human form merely.

There are indeed two, but they two come to us in the form of the person of Christ.

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering." [James 1:5, 6.] "And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him because we keep his commandments and do those things that are pleasing in his sight." [1 John 3:22.] "And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. Little children keep yourselves from idols." [1 John 5:20, 21.] The Lord is soon to come. We want that complete and perfect understanding which the Lord alone can give. It is not safe to catch the spirit from another. We want the Holy Spirit, which is Jesus Christ. If we commune with God, we shall have strength and grace and efficiency. {Lt66-1894.18}

The Holy Spirit IS Jesus Christ...Jesus' divinity, at least, for it is not "cumbered" by His humanity.

Mrs. White is doing her very best to help us understand just Who Jesus was in the above passage. I would encourage readers here to look it up for themselves and see even more of the context. This is precious. I note the following points:

1) The Spirit, called by Christ "another Comforter," was actually already with the disciples. They just didn't recognize this.

3) The Spirit was "divested of the personality of humanity, and independent thereof."

5) Jesus (the Saviour) would be nearer to His people by returning to Heaven than if He did not.

"Another Comforter." This Comforter was already present with them, and had been all along. In fact, when we look at the Greek word Jesus used, we begin to understand what was meant. It was NOT a different nor a new Comforter at all. It was actually more of Christ.

Spiros Zhodiates, a native-born Greek, and expert in its language, wrote the following commentary on the Greek word translated as "Comforter" (painstakingly re-typed from The Complete WordStudy New Testament: Bringing the Original Text to Life) (1991).

3875. Paraklētos; from parakaleō (3870), to call hither, toward, to to speak to, to speak cheerfully to, encourage. It is properly a verbal adj., that is, he who has been or may be called to help, a helper. Used by the Gr. writers of a legal advisor, pleader, proxy, or advocate, one who comes forward on behalf of and as the representative of another. Thus in 1 John 2:1, Christ is termed our substitutionary, intercessory advocate. Christ designates the Holy Spirit as "Paraclete" (John 14:16), and He calls Him állos (243), another, which means another of equal quality (and not héteros [2087], another of a different quality). Therefore, the Holy Spirit is designated by Jesus Christ as equal with Himself, God (1 John 2:1). The new Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, was to witness concerning Jesus Christ (John 14:26; 16:7, 14) and to glorify Him. The Holy Spirit is called a Paraclete because He undertakes Christ's office in the world while Christ is away from the world as the God-Man. He is also called the Paraclete because He acts as Christ's substitute on earth. When Christ, in John 14:16, designates Himself at the same time as the Paraclete, the word must not be understood as applying to Christ in the same sense as in 1 John 2:1, where it is used with the meaning of our substitutionary Advocate, but rather as He who pleads God's cause with us (see John 14:7-9). The verb parakaleō (3870) and the noun paraklēsis (3874) do not occur at all in the writings of John.

I will try to answer this important question: As God He could not be tempted: but as a man He could be tempted, and that strongly, and could yield to the temptations. His human nature must pass through the same test and trial Adam and Eve passed through. His human nature was created; it did not even possess the angelic powers. It was human, identical with our own. He was passing over the ground where Adam fell. He was now where, if He endured the test and trial in behalf of the fallen race, He would redeem Adam's disgraceful failure and fall, in our own humanity. {6MR 111.1}

"Divested of the personality of humanity." One cannot be divested of something one did not previously have. Mrs. White's description, using this terminology, is very insightful. Consider the definition used in her day for "divest."

So when the Holy Spirit is said to be "divested of the personality of humanity," this is very clearly a reference to Christ, for none other than Christ had both divinity and humanity. Once again, we see clearly that Christ and the Holy Spirit are One and the Same.

Let's continue our study of this subject using the terms that Inspiration uses. Therefore, cross the word "members" off the list. In fact, shall we list some terms that are never used to describe the Godhead in either the Bible or in any statement Mrs. White herself published? *

* NOTE: The word "Trinity" was added by editors of the later compilation Evangelism as a subheading which Ellen White did not write, as well as in an editorial note in the SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7A, though she did refer to "trinity" (lowercase) once to speak of "the world’s trinity—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life" {Lt43-1898.25}; and the word "beings" appears in a stenographer's record of one of Ellen White's sermons which she herself never published (it is not known if she would have corrected this, or if she even noticed it in her records at a later date).

Actually, just looking at that list, and realizing that not even one of those terms is ever used by an inspired writer to describe God, we should already be finished with this study. There is NO TRINITY. It's all a man-made belief, and it was not a part of our church doctrine in the days of Ellen White and our early pioneers (more on that shortly).

Now, what about the term "Godhead"? What does it mean? Here are some interesting "snippets" of Ellen White on this.

Christ determined that when He ascended from this earth He would bestow a gift on those who had believed on Him and those who should believe on Him. What gift could He bestow rich enough to signalize and grace His ascension to the mediatorial throne? It must be worthy of His greatness and His royalty. He determined to give His representative, the third person of the Godhead. This gift could not be excelled. He would give all gifts in one, and therefore the divine Spirit, converting, enlightening, sanctifying, would be His donation. {ST, December 1, 1898 par. 2}

In Him is gathered all the glory of the Father, the fullness of the Godhead. {COL 115.1}

In Christ "dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and in Him ye are made full." Colossians 2:9, 10, R. V. {DA 181.1}

Christ had not ceased to be God when He became man. Though He had humbled Himself to humanity, the Godhead was still His own. Christ alone could represent the Father to humanity, and this representation the disciples had been privileged to behold for over three years. {DA 663.5}

The Father can not be described by the things of earth. The Father is all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and is invisible to mortal sight. The Son is all the fullness of the Godhead manifested. The word of God declares Him to be "the express image of His person." "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Here is shown the personality of the Father. {BTS, March 1, 1906 par. 1}

The Comforter that Christ promised to send after He ascended to heaven, is the Spirit in all the fullness of the Godhead, making manifest the power of divine grace to all who receive and believe in Christ as a personal Saviour. There are three living persons of the heavenly trio. In the name of these three powers,--the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, those who receive Christ by living faith are baptized, and these powers will cooperate with the obedient subjects of heaven in their efforts to live the new life in Christ. {BTS, March 1, 1906 par. 2}

Behold the Saviour of the world, in whom dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. {1888 822.3}

The Godhead was not made human, and the human was not deified by the blending together of the two natures. Christ did not possess the same sinful, corrupt, fallen disloyalty we possess, for then He could not be a perfect offering.--Ms 94, 1893, pp. 1-3. ("Could Christ Have Yielded to Temptation?" June 30, 1893.) {6MR 112.2}

Though Christ humbled Himself to become man, the Godhead was still His own. His deity could not be lost while He stood faithful and true to His loyalty. {ST, May 10, 1899 par. 11}

The power of the Saviour's Godhead was hidden. He overcame in human nature, relying upon God for power. {YI, April 25, 1901 par. 11}

Christ in His Godhead shone forth as He burst from the tomb, and rose triumphant over death and the grave. {ST, May 30, 1895 par. 7}

Evil had been accumulating for centuries, and could only be restrained and resisted by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead, who would come with no modified energy, but in the fullness of divine power. {TM 392.2}

The open path, the safe path of walking in the way of His commandments, is a path from which there is no safe departing. And when men follow their own human theories dressed up in soft, fascinating representations, they make a snare in which to catch souls. In the place of devoting your powers to theorizing, Christ has given you a work to do. His commission is, Go through and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Before the disciples shall compass the threshold, there is to be the imprint of the sacred name, baptizing the believers in the name of the threefold powers in the heavenly world. The human mind is impressed in this ceremony, the beginning of the Christian life. It means very much. The work of salvation is not a small matter, but so vast that the highest authorities are taken hold of by the expressed faith of the human agency. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, the eternal Godhead is involved in the action required to make assurance to the human agent to unite all heaven to contribute to the exercise of human faculties to reach and embrace the fulness of the threefold powers to unite in the great work appointed, confederating the heavenly powers with the human, that men may become, through heavenly efficiency, partakers of the divine nature and workers together with Christ. {Ms45-1904.16}

The Godhead was stirred with pity for the race, and the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit gave themselves to the working out of the plan of redemption. . . . {AUCR, April 1, 1901 par. 10}

The three powers of the Godhead, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, are pledged to be their strength and their efficiency in their new life in Christ Jesus. {AUCR, October 7, 1907 par. 9}

The three powers of the Godhead have pledged their might to carry out the purpose that God had in mind when he gave to the world the unspeakable gift of his Son. . . . {RH, July 18, 1907 par. 3}

The second temple was honored, not with the cloud of Jehovah's glory, but with the living presence of One in whom dwelt all the fulness of the Godhead bodily,--God himself manifest in the flesh. . . . {RH, January 16, 1908 par. 14}

In Christ was the fullness of the Godhead bodily. . . . {ST, May 30, 1892 par. 5}

Jesus invites the needy to come to him and find completeness in him who is the fullness of the Godhead bodily. . . . {ST, May 30, 1892 par. 6}

But the Sun of Righteousness shines forth into the midnight darkness of superstition and error, and rolls back the cloud, and presents himself as the one in whom dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, as the exact representation of the Father. This is his message to the world: "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." {ST, June 27, 1892 par. 4}

And that doctrine that denies the absolute Godhead of Jesus Christ, denies also the Godhead of the Father; for no man knoweth the Son but the Father. {ST, June 27, 1895 par. 3}

The Lord Jesus is the embodiment of the glory of the Godhead. . . . {ST, July 3, 1907 par. 4}

In Christ Jesus is a revelation of the glory of the Godhead. . . . {ST, December 12, 1895 par. 5}

And yet the Creator of worlds, he in whom was the fulness of the Godhead bodily, was manifest in the helpless babe in the manger. Far higher than any of the angels, equal with the Father in dignity and glory, and yet wearing the garb of humanity! Divinity and humanity were mysteriously combined, and man and God became one. It is in this union that we find the hope of our fallen race. Looking upon Christ in humanity, we look upon God, and see in him the brightness of his glory, the express image of his person. {ST, July 30, 1896 par. 3}

In Christ is gathered all the glory of the Father. In Him is all the fulness of the Godhead. He is the brightness of the Father's glory and the express image of His person. . . . {ST, November 24, 1898 par. 1}

Christ might, because of our guilt, have moved far away from us. But instead of moving farther away, he came and dwelt among us, filled with all the fulness of the Godhead, to be one with us, that through his grace we might attain perfection. By a death of shame and suffering he paid our ransom. From the highest excellency he came, his divinity clothed with humanity, descending step by step to the lowest depths of humiliation. No line can measure the depth of his love. {SW, October 22, 1907 par. 6}

With every needed blessing, Adam and Eve were abundantly supplied. Not a shadow interposed between them and their Creator. They knew God as their beneficent Father, and in all things their will was conformed to the will of God. And God's character was reflected in the character of Adam. His glory was revealed in every object of nature. The invisible things of God were clearly seen, being understood by the things that were made, even his eternal power and Godhead. {YI, June 2, 1898 par. 2}

Christ was God manifest in the flesh; in him dwelt "all the fullness of the Godhead bodily." {YI, March 21, 1901 par. 8}

When Christ bowed his head and died, he bore the pillars of Satan's kingdom with him to the earth. He vanquished Satan in the same nature over which in Eden Satan obtained the victory. The enemy was overcome by Christ in his human nature. The power of the Saviour's Godhead was hidden. He overcame in human nature, relying upon God for power. This is the privilege of all. In proportion to our faith will be our victory. Mrs. E. G. White. {YI, April 25, 1901 par. 11}

The prince of the power of evil can only be held in check by the power of God in the third person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit. {SpTA10 37.1}

He was not the Father but in Him dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, . . . {20MR 94.2}

Christ unites in His person the fullness and perfection of the Godhead and the fullness and perfection of sinless humanity. . . . {18MR 331.4}

Was the human nature of the Son of Mary changed into the divine nature of the Son of God? No; the two natures were mysteriously blended in one person--the Man Christ Jesus. In Him dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. When Christ was crucified, it was His human nature that died. Deity did not sink and die; that would have been impossible. Christ, the sinless One, will save every son and daughter of Adam who accepts the salvation proffered them, consenting to become the children of God. The Saviour has purchased the fallen race with His own blood. {21MR 418.5}

Essentially, the Spirit of Prophecy defines the Godhead as a unity of three persons: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The "fulness" of this Godhead is said to have dwelt in Christ. That "Godhead" is equated with Deity. Christ was both divine and human--Deity and humanity--in a single person. Since Deity did not become human, nor human become divine, that single person had two distinct "natures." Those natures were human and divine. On the cross, it was only the human being that died; divinity did not die. The God-being cannot die, for Mrs. White tells us such would have been impossible (see final quote just above).

The Comforter

Unfortunately, translators have chosen to obscure this beautiful truth by saying "Comforter" in every place except for the one text which identifies the Comforter as being Jesus Christ. Why would they have done this? Perhaps they were Trinitarian. In any case, the Greek text does not lie, and it clearly shows that our Comforter is Jesus.

Our Original Foundation

The following quote is taken from the Adventist statement of Fundamental Principles printed in 1872--principles which Ellen White upheld.

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. {MR760 9.5} [ca. 1906]

Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers? (Malachi 2:10)

And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: (Mark 12:32)

If there were more than one God, or if God should have been addressed as "Them" instead of as "He," Jesus did not correct His questioner. He certainly could have. And I think, if what had been said were not true, He would have.

But aren't there THREE persons in the Godhead?

Yes and no. Unfortunately, Satan is in the business of spreading error and lies, and part of his work involves changing the very definitions of words we use to share the truth. The word "person" has changed meaning from Mrs. White's day to today: Today it would usually be understood to mean "being," but in Mrs. White's day this was not always the case. Consider the definition used in Webster's 1828 Dictionary.

According to those definitions, there is only one sense of the word which could properly apply to God: the sixth one. The others refer clearly to human beings--and God is not a man (Num. 23:19), or to points of grammar which have no application to God.

The only meaning that could have applied to God applies in such a way as to allow three persons to exist in a single being. For example, a man might relate to others in the person of a father, the person of a son, or the person of a husband--and yet, despite being three separate "persons," he is still the same "being." In fact, the word "person" comes to us from an old French word "persone" and from the Latin "persona", meaning: "actor's mask, character in a play," which later evolved to mean "human being." In other words, the concept of "role" or "office" comes inherently with the origin of the word "person"--a word which is, in our day, redefined.

How many Beings does Ellen White speak of in the Godhead?

The earth was dark through misapprehension of God. That the gloomy shadows might be lightened, that the world might be brought back to God, Satan's deceptive power was to be broken. This could not be done by force. The exercise of force is contrary to the principles of God's government; He desires only the service of love; and love cannot be commanded; it cannot be won by force or authority. Only by love is love awakened. To know God is to love Him; His character must be manifested in contrast to the character of Satan. This work only one Being in all the universe could do. Only He who knew the height and depth of the love of God could make it known. Upon the world's dark night the Sun of Righteousness must rise, "with healing in His wings." Malachi 4:2. {DA 22.1}

A large class to whom the doctrine of eternal torment is revolting are driven to the opposite error. They see that the Scriptures represent God as a being of love and compassion, and they cannot believe that He will consign His creatures to the fires of an eternally burning hell. But holding that the soul is naturally immortal, they see no alternative but to conclude that all mankind will finally be saved. Many regard the threatenings of the Bible as designed merely to frighten men into obedience, and not to be literally fulfilled. Thus the sinner can live in selfish pleasure, disregarding the requirements of God, and yet expect to be finally received into His favor. Such a doctrine, presuming upon God's mercy, but ignoring His justice, pleases the carnal heart and emboldens the wicked in their iniquity. {GC 537.1}

As the evil passions and purposes of men banished God from their thoughts, so forgetfulness of Him inclined them more strongly to evil. The heart in love with sin clothed Him with its own attributes, and this conception strengthened the power of sin. Bent on self-pleasing, men came to regard God as such a one as themselves--a Being whose aim was self-glory, whose requirements were suited to His own pleasure; a Being by whom men were lifted up or cast down according as they helped or hindered His selfish purpose. The lower classes regarded the Supreme Being as one scarcely differing from their oppressors, save by exceeding them in power. By these ideas every form of religion was molded. Each was a system of exaction. By gifts and ceremonies, the worshipers sought to propitiate the Deity in order to secure His favor for their own ends. Such religion, having no power upon the heart or the conscience, could be but a round of forms, of which men wearied, and from which, except for such gain as it might offer, they longed to be free. So evil, unrestrained, grew stronger, while the appreciation and desire for good diminished. Men lost the image of God and received the impress of the demoniacal power by which they were controlled. The whole world was becoming a sink of corruption. {Ed 75.2}

No outward shrines may be visible, there may be no image for the eye to rest upon, yet we may be practicing idolatry. It is as easy to make an idol of cherished ideas or objects as to fashion gods of wood or stone. Thousands have a false conception of God and His attributes. They are as verily serving a false god as were the servants of Baal. Are we worshiping the true God as He is revealed in His word, in Christ, in nature, or are we adoring some philosophical idol enshrined in His place? God is a God of truth. Justice and mercy are the attributes of His throne. He is a God of love, of pity and tender compassion. Thus He is represented in His Son, our Saviour. He is a God of patience and long-suffering. If such is the being whom we adore and to whose character we are seeking to assimilate, we are worshiping the true God. {5T 173.4}

As a personal being, God has revealed Himself in His Son. Jesus, the outshining of the Father's glory, "and the express image of His person" (Hebrews 1:3), was on earth found in fashion as a man. As a personal Saviour He came to the world. As a personal Saviour He ascended on high. As a personal Saviour He intercedes in the heavenly courts. Before the throne of God in our behalf ministers "One like unto the Son of man." Revelation 1:13. {8T 265.1}

God is a being, and man was made in His image. After God created man in His image, the form was perfect in all its arrangements, but it had no vitality. Then a personal, self-existing God breathed into that form the breath of life, and man became a living, breathing, intelligent being. All parts of the human machinery were put in motion. The heart, the arteries, the veins, the tongue, the hands, the feet, the perceptions of the mind, the senses, were placed under physical law. It was then that man became a living soul.--Ms 117, 1898. {3MR 304.1}

Very few realize the sinfulness of sin; they flatter themselves that God is too good to punish the offender. But the cases of Miriam, Aaron, David, and many others show that it is not a safe thing to sin against God in deed, in word, or even in thought. God is a being of infinite love and compassion, but he also declares himself to be a "consuming fire, even a jealous God." {RH, August 14, 1900 par. 2}

Joshua assured the Israelites that of themselves they could not serve the Lord. The natural heart is a battle-field, upon which there is a constant warfare; conscience seeking to hold sway, and passion also struggling for the victory. God would not grant them his favor and support while they persisted in transgression. If they honored him, he would honor them. If they should forsake him, and serve strange gods, he would forsake them. As God is a being of perfect truth and holiness, it was impossible for them to serve him and yet continue in sin; for he could not unite with iniquity. Only by thorough repentance and reformation of life, could they hope to secure the divine favor. {ST, May 19, 1881 par. 19}

But few realize the sinfulness of sin; they flatter themselves that God is too good to punish the offender. The cases of Moses and Aaron, of David, and numerous others, show that it is not a safe thing to sin in word or thought or deed. God is a Being of infinite love and compassion. In the parting address which Moses gave to the children of Israel he said: "For the Lord thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God." The touching plea made by Moses that he might be privileged to enter Canaan was steadfastly refused. The transgression at Kadesh had been open and marked; and the more exalted the position of the offender, the more distinguished the man, the firmer was the decree and the more certain the punishment. {4T 370.1}

The mighty power that works through all nature and sustains all things is not, as some men of science represent, merely an all-pervading principle, an actuating energy. God is a spirit; yet He is a personal being, for man was made in His image. {8T 263.1}

God is the strongest being in the universe, and He demands of you to come up to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty. [Ephesians 6:10-18, quoted.] {20MR 318.2}

Texts showing the Disciples' understanding of Matthew 28:19

1) Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38, KJV)

2) But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. (Acts 8:12, KJV)

3) (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) (Acts 8:16, KJV)

4) Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. (Acts 19:4, KJV) When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 19:5, KJV)

5) And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. (Acts 22:16, KJV)

6) Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? (Romans 6:3, KJV)

7) For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (Galatians 3:27, KJV)

The Beauty of Knowing Who God Is

I used to think God, the Father, was a strict Judge and that without Christ to intercede on my behalf, the Father would never like me nor accept me. But Jesus said "he that hath seen me hath seen the Father" (John 14:9). Jesus also said that "the Father himself loveth you" (John 16:27). When God is with us, it is the Father Himself who walks with us.

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. (John 17:3)

The Godhead: