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194
S.D.A. Bible Commentary Vol. 5
20-23. No Destruction of Personality
—Christ is one with the
Father, but Christ and God are two distinct personages. Read the
prayer of Christ in the seventeenth chapter of John, and you will find
this point clearly brought out. How earnestly the Saviour prayed that
His disciples might be one with Him as He is one with the Father.
But the unity that is to exist between Christ and His followers does
not destroy the personality of either. They are to be one with Him as
He is one with the Father (
The Review and Herald, June 1, 1905
).
[
John 17:20-23
quoted.] What a wonderful statement! The unity
that exists between Christ and His disciples does not destroy the
personality of either. In mind, in purpose, in character, they are one,
but not in person. By partaking of the Spirit of God, conforming to
the law of God, man becomes a partaker of the divine nature. Christ
brings His disciples into a living union with Himself and with the
Father. Through the working of the Holy Spirit upon the human
mind, man is made complete in Christ Jesus. Unity with Christ
establishes a bond of unity with one another. This unity is the most
convincing proof to the world of the majesty and virtue of Christ,
and of His power to take away sin (
Manuscript 111, 1903
).
24 (see
EGW comment on John 20:16, 17
). According to
Covenant Promise
—O, how the divine Head longed to have His
church with Him! They had fellowship with Him in His suffering
and humiliation, and it is His highest joy to have them with Him to
be partakers of His glory. Christ claims the privilege of having His
church with Him. “I will that they also, whom thou hast given me,
be with me where I am.” To have them with Him is according to
covenant promise and agreement with His Father (
The Review and
Herald, October 17, 1893
).