Most respond, “How can Christ represent Himself?”

Many fail to realize that the Spirit of Christ can function as a “Person” separate to Himself, and therefore “another person.” This is the nature of the Holy Spirit that Ellen White said we cannot understand; it is a mystery…. “Christ in you, the hope of glory”(Col 1:27).

Ellen White understood that “representative” does not make another third being, but that Christ represents Himself in a different form. God and His Son have a Spirit and that is how “They” represent “Themselves” while they are not personally present. She made this very clear several times as we find from the following quotes.

“CHRIST came to our world, but the world could not endure His purity. He has gone to His Father, but HE has sent HIS Holy Spirit to REPRESENT HIM in the world till he shall come again.” — (E.G. White, Ms1, Jan 11, 1897)

“CHRIST has left HIS Holy Spirit to be HIS REPRESENTATIVE in the world, to give celestial aid to every hungering, thirsting soul.” — (E.G. White, Lt84, Oct 22, 1895)

“The Holy Spirit is the SPIRIT of CHRIST; it is HIS REPRESENTATIVE. Here is the divine agency that carries conviction to hearts. When the power of His Spirit is revealed through the servants of God, we behold divinity flashing through humanity.” — (E.G. White, 13MR 313.3, 1895)

“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.” — (E.G. White, Lt119, Feb 18, 1895)

“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 HE is withdrawn from the eye of sense, but HIS parting promise is fulfilled, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”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.” — (EGW, DA, p. 166)

“We cannot be with CHRIST in person, as were His first disciples, but HE has sent HIS Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth, [John 16:13 quoted]” — (EGW, Ms30, June 18, 1900)

“When God’s people search the Scriptures with a desire to know what is truth, JESUS is present in the PERSON of HIS REPRESENTATIVE, the HOLY SPIRIT, reviving the hearts of the humble and contrite ones.” — (E.G. White, 12MR 145.2, 1898)

Note: Christ is physically MINISTERING in the Heavenly Sanctuary and HE is also MINISTERING on earth by His own Spirit.

 “CHRIST came to our world, but the world could not endure His purity. He has gone to His Father, but HE has sent HIS Holy Spirit to represent HIM in the world till he shall come again.” — (E.G. White, Ms1, Jan 11, 1897)

“Though the ministration was to be REMOVED FROM THE EARTHLY TO THE HEAVENLY TEMPLE; though the sanctuary and our great high priest would be INVISIBLE TO HUMAN SIGHT, yet the disciples were to suffer no loss thereby. They would realize no break in their communion, and no diminution of power because of the Saviour’s absence. 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

“The work of the ministry is no common work. CHRIST IS WITHDRAWN ONLY FROM THE EYE OF SENSE, BUT HE IS AS TRULY PRESENT BY HIS SPIRIT AS WHEN HE WAS VISIBLY PRESENT ON EARTH. The time that has elapsed since his ascension has BROUGHT NO INTERRUPTION IN THE FULFILLMENT OF HIS PARTING PROMISE,—“LO, I AM WITH YOU ALWAY, even unto the end of the world.” God has provided light and truth for the world by having placed it in the keeping of faithful men, who in succession have committed it to others through all generations up to the present time. These men have derived their authority in an unbroken line from the first teachers of the faith. CHRIST REMAINS THE TRUE MINISTER OF HIS CHURCH, but HE DELEGATES HIS POWER TO HIS UNDER-SHEPHERDS, to his chosen ministers, who have the treasure of his grace in earthen vessels. God superintends the affairs of his servants, and they are placed in his work by divine appointment.” ST April 7,1890, par. 6

“There may be a similarity in moral character between believers and some unbelievers; nevertheless there is a difference between them, which the human conception does not comprehend. The difference may not always be seen, but it exists unseen by the eye of sense and unappreciated by the unconverted mind. This difference is in the state of the heart; the one has an abiding hope and faith in Jesus Christ; while the other is unmindful of God and of spiritual things. CHRIST DWELLING IN THE HEART BY FAITH IS A FORTRESS TO THE BELIEVER. The Christian struggling against opposing influences may sometimes be overcome and speak and act in a manner unbecoming to a Christian. But the Lord will pardon. He is very tender of the bruised lambs of His fold.” Lt317a-1904.18

Thus, we find that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God coming to us through His Son, and that Christ sent His Spirit to represent Himself. It is not another being as the Trinity doctrine claims.