Is the Holy Spirit Our Advocate, Counselor, Intercessor, Mediator, Comforter and Saviour?

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The answer to the heading question is YES! The crucial question is: When did the one eternal Holy Spirit essence of the Son of God become a third person? Or, was the Holy Spirit a "separate from the Father and Son" third person from eternity?

The following study proves that the Holy Spirit is the life and soul of Christ and not a third person extra to the life of Christ until the Incarnation took place, and the Holy Spirit essence of the Son THEN became His successor because humanity THEN AND ONLY THEN, cumbered His One Eternal Holy Spirit Substance Essence, to wit:

“Cumbered with humanity Christ could not be in every place personally, therefore it was altogether for their advantage that He should leave them to 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.” E.G. White, (Manuscript Releases Volume 14 (No’s 1081-1135) MR No.1084.

The Biblical counterpart to the above statement is its account of Christ emptying Himself at His Incarnation:

Emptied Himself -- Laid aside: It is obvious that prior to being born of the virgin Mary Jesus was not human at all, and only divine. When Jesus became a man, the Bible says, He emptied Himself. 'Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, though it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation ['emptied himself.' --Green's Literal Translation and RSV], and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name." Philippians 2:5-9.

"Literally, 'emptied Himself.' This emptying was voluntary (see on John 10:17, 18). It was not possible for Christ to retain all the tokens of divinity and still accomplish the Incarnation." SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 155, col. 1.

Tokens of Divinity

I am not questioning the full divinity of Christ. By tokens of Divinity, I believe it means that Christ's divinity was cumbered by His humanity. In other words Christ the Holy Spirit became Christ's successor in the earth, because His omnipresence was cumbered by His humanity, and I believe that same cumbrance accrues forever, because He retains His humanity forever. Thus, it was not possible for Christ to retain all His tokens of Divinity and still accomplish the Incarnation. Had He been able to retain His omnipresence, He would not have needed His Holy Spirit to be His successor in the earth. Omnipresence was certainly a distinguishing feature of His ONE ETERNAL HOLY SPIRIT ESSENCE before His Incarnation, and one definition of token is "a distinguishing feature, or CHARACTERISTIC" as is defined by Webster's below.

Jhn 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

John 15:26 "When the Comforter comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me." If the ONE ETERNAL SPIRIT OF TRUTH PROCEEDS FROM THE FATHER, why does it have to proceed from the Father is there is a third person Holy Spirit who is the avenue through whom the Holy Spirit comes?

Note the definition of token from Webster's Dictionary:

4 entries found for token.
To select an entry, click on it.
token[1,noun]token[2,adjective]hard-times token money

Main Entry: 1to·ken
Pronunciation: 'tO-k&n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English tAcen, tAcn sign, token; akin to Old
High German zeihhan sign, Greek deiknynai to show -- more at DICTION Date: before 12th century
1 : an outward sign or expression
2 a : SYMBOL, EMBLEM a white flag is a token of surrender b : an instance of a linguistic expression
3 : a distinguishing feature : CHARACTERISTIC
4 a : SOUVENIR, KEEPSAKE b : a small part representing the whole :
INDICATION (this is only a token of what we hope to accomplish)
c : something given or shown as a guarantee (as of authority, right, or identity)
5 a : a piece resembling a coin issued as money by some person or body other
than a de jure government b : a piece resembling a coin issued for use (as
for fare on a bus) by a particular group on specified terms
6 : a member of a group (as a minority) that is included within a larger group
through tokenism; especially : a token employee synonym see SIGN
- by the same token : for the same reason

Who is our Advocate? Who is our Counselor? Who is our Intercessor? Who is our Mediator? Who is our Comforter? Who is our Saviour? All of these adjectives refer to none other than Christ as the One Eternal Substance Essence Holy Spirit Life and Soul of the Son of God. Counselor refers to His Holy Spirit at work in the Old Testament (Isaiah 9:6) before His Incarnation. At His Incarnation, His ONE ETERNAL HOLY SPIRIT became His "third person" successor in administering these offices for the first time, except for being our Counselor in the Old Testament also. All the other administering’s of Christ apply under the New Covenant in the New Testament.

(Repeated for emphasis): “Cumbered with humanity Christ could not be in every place personally, therefore it was altogether for their advantage that He should leave them to 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." E.G. White, (Manuscript Releases Volume 14 (No's 1081-1135) MR No.1084.

1Jo 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Isa 59:15,16: Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment, And he saw that [there was] no man, and wondered that [there was] no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.

I Tim. 2:5 For [there is] one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

Hbr 8:6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

Hbr 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions [that were] under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

Hbr 12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than [that of] Abel.

Hsa 13:4 Yet I [am] the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for [there is] no Saviour beside me.

Luk 1:47: And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

Luk 2:11: For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Jhn 14:26 But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Jhn 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

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

Obviously, the "another Comforter," is Christ's One Eternal Essence Substance Omnipresent Holy Spirit which He possessed before the Incarnation. Notice:

"Cumbered with humanity Christ could not be in every place personally, therefore it was altogether for their advantage that He should leave them to 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." E.G. White, (Manuscript Releases Volume 14 (No's 1081-1135) MR No.1084. Notice further:


2Cr 3:17: Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord [is], there [is] liberty.

Ellen White and Scripture agree on the definition of the Holy Spirit. Notice even further:

"Christ declared that after his ascension, he would send to his church, as his crowning gift, the Comforter, who was to take his place. This Comforter is the Holy Spirit,--the soul of his life, the efficacy of his church, the light and life of the world. With his Spirit Christ sends a reconciling influence and a power that takes away sin.
In the gift of the Spirit [HIS LIFE--THE SOUL OF HIS LIFE], Jesus gave to man the highest good that heaven could bestow....
The Spirit was given as a regenerating agency, and without this the sacrifice of Christ would have been of no avail....
It is by the Spirit that the heart is made pure. Through the Spirit the believer becomes a partaker of the divine nature. Christ has given his Spirit as a divine power to overcome all hereditary and cultivated tendencies to evil, and to impress his own character upon the church." E.G. White, Review and Herald Articles, May 19, 1904, vol. 5, p. 42.

Strong's Concordance definition of Comforter as in John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7

Lexicon Results for parakletos (Strong's 3875)
Greek for 3875

Pronunciation Guide
parakletos {par-ak'-lay-tos}

TDNT Reference Root Word
TDNT - 5:800,782 a root word
Part of Speech
n m
Outline of Biblical Usage
1) summoned, called to one's side, esp. called to one's aid

a) one who pleads another's cause before a judge, a pleader, counsel for defense, legal assistant, an advocate

b) one who pleads another's cause with one, an intercessor

1) of Christ in his exaltation at God's right hand, pleading with God the Father for the pardon of our sins

c) in the widest sense, a helper, succourer, aider, assistant

1) of the Holy Spirit destined to take the place of Christ with the apostles (after his ascension to the Father), to lead them to a deeper knowledge of the gospel truth, and give them divine strength needed to enable them to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of the divine kingdom

Strong's definition of counselor (#03289) as used in Isaiah 9:6:

Lexicon Results for ya`ats (Strong's 03289)
Hebrew for 03289

Pronunciation Guide
ya`ats {yaw-ats'}

TWOT Reference Root Word
TWOT - 887 a primitive root
Outline of Biblical Usage
1) to advise, consult, give counsel, counsel, purpose, devise, plan

a) (Qal)

1) to advise, counsel, give counsel, consult

2) counsellor (participle)

b) (Niphal) to consult together, exchange counsel, deliberate, counsel together

c) (Hithpael) to conspire

Authorized Version (KJV) Translation Count - Total: 80
AV - counsel 25, counsellor 22, consult 9, give 7, purposed 5, advice 2,
determined 2, advise 2, deviseth 2, taken 2, misc 2; 80

Strong's definition of Counselor (#8802) as used in Isaiah 9:6:

Lexicon Results for 'ab (Strong's 01)
Hebrew for 01

Pronunciation Guide
'ab {awb}

TWOT Reference Root Word
TWOT - 4a a root
Part of Speech
n m
Outline of Biblical Usage
1) father of an individual

2) of God as father of his people

3) head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan

4) ancestor

a) grandfather, forefathers -- of person

b) of people

5) originator or patron of a class, profession, or art

6) of producer, generator (fig.)

7) of benevolence and protection (fig.)

8) term of respect and honour

9) ruler or chief (spec.)

Strong's definition of Intercessor as used in Isaiah 59:16 (Strong's #06666 and its derivitive #06663):

Lexicon Results for tsadaq (Strong's 06663)

Hebrew for 06663

Pronunciation Guide

tsadaq {tsaw-dak'}

Root Word

a primitive root Part of Speech

Outline of Biblical Usage

to be just, be righteous

to have a just cause, be in the right

to be justified [Who justified us?--Christ].

to be just (of God)

4) to be just, be righteous (in conduct and character)

b) (Niphal) to be put or made right, be justified

c) (Piel) justify, make to appear righteous, make someone righteous

d) (Hiphil)

1) to do or bring justice (in administering law)

2) to declare righteous, justify

3) to justify, vindicate the cause of, save

4) to make righteous, turn to righteousness

e) (Hithpael) to justify oneself

Emptied Himself -- Laid aside: "It is obvious that prior to being born of the virgin Mary Jesus was not human at all, and only divine. When Jesus became a man, the Bible says, He emptied Himself. 'Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, though it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation ['emptied himself.' --Green's Literal Translation and RSV], and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name." Phillippians 2:5-9.

In order for Jesus to become a man He emptied Himself. The Bible is clear that He emptied Himself of at least some of the attributes of divinity. There are certain characteristics that distinguish divinity from humanity. Some of these include: omniscience (all knowing), omnipresence (the ability to be in all places at the same time), omnipotence (all powerful), and immortality (not subject to death). We know for sure from the Bible that Jesus gave up all of these attributes of divinity while He was on earth. To wit:

Omniscience: Jesus said, “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.” (Mark 13:32) We know that, at least while Christ was on earth, He did not have knowledge of all things. In fact, the Bible says He learned while He was on earth. “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” (Luke 2:52) It is not possible for a man to increase in wisdom if he already has all wisdom.

Omnipresence: Jesus said, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.” (John 16:7) Jesus said that it was better for the disciples if He went away so that the Comforter could come to them. He said it would be better for them if the Comforter was there rather than Christ being there physically. Why was that? Jesus said, “I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 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. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” (John 14:16-18) Jesus said that the Comforter was dwelling with the disciples while He was on earth, and would be in them in the future. Then He said, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”

The disciples were at a disadvantage to have Christ dwelling with them instead of in them. That is why Christ said that it would be better for the disciples for Christ to go away and regain His omnipresence so that He could dwell in them by His Spirit rather than dwelling with them on the outside of them. “The Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.” (John 7:39) It is evident from this that Christ was limited by His humanity from being in all places at the same time. He did not have omnipresence while He was on earth.

Omnipotence: Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself.” (John 5:19) And again, “I can of mine own self do nothing.” (John 5:30) According to Jesus, while He was on earth He was not able to do anything by His own power. It is obvious that He was not all powerful while He was on earth. Immortality: The scripture says, “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” (Hebrews 2:9) It is obvious that Christ was subject to death while He was a human, for He died for our sins. It is evident that at least the four primary characteristics of divinity were laid aside by Christ when He came to earth to be a man. Christ was divine while He was on earth, not because of what He was made of or any special powers He had, but because of who He was—the Son of God.

The fullness of the Godhead was dwelling in Christ while He was on earth. “For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” (Colossians 2:9) Paul also wrote, “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell.” (Colossians 1:19) The fullness of the Godhead that dwelt in Christ while He was on this earth was the fullness of God, the Father. Of Jesus John the Baptist said, “God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.” (John 3:34) The Spirit of the Father was given to Christ without measure so that He was filled with all the fullness of God. Paul wrote that “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself.” (2 Corinthians 5:19) The Bible tells us that even you and I can be filled will all the fullness of God. “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:19) Being filled with all the fullness of God comes by being a partaker of the divine nature. “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.” (2 Peter 1:4)

While Jesus was on earth He was a human who was divine because of who He was, not because of what He was made of. He was a partaker of the divine nature of His Father and was filled with all the fullness of God. Any divine powers that were manifested in Christ were a result of His Father dwelling in Him. Jesus said, “The Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.” (John 14:10) Christ was divine because of who He was, but any divine powers manifested in Him were not His own powers, for they were relinquished when He became a man.

The popular Trinitarian idea that Jesus was part divine, retaining all the attributes and powers of divinity, and part human, taking upon Himself the limitations of humanity is incorrect. The Bible says that He emptied Himself of all the powers of divinity when He became a human. Jesus, of Himself, could do nothing. (John 5:19, 30).

God bless,

Ron Beaulieu