Adventistische Schriften über: "Was the Holy Spirit already on earth when Jesus was on earth, and what did Jesus mean when He said that the Comforter would not come unless He went away? Explain John 14:16-17 and John 16:7 according to Ellen G. White's writings."

According to the writings of Ellen G. White, Jesus pointed out in John 14:16-17 and 16:7 that the Holy Spirit was to be sent as His personal representative and the “gift of all gifts,” to dwell in believers and oppose evil with divine power. That Jesus had to go away first was because His ascension and appointment as priest and king in heaven were the prerequisite for pouring out the fullness of the Spirit upon His church. The outpouring at Pentecost was the heavenly sign that Jesus’ work of reconciliation had been accepted and His glorification completed.

The Promise of the Comforter as Christ’s Representative

»When Christ gave His disciples the promise of the Spirit, He was drawing near the end of His earthly ministry ... Before He offered Himself as a sacrifice, He instructed His disciples about a most essential and perfect gift that He intended to give to His successors—the gift that would make the limitless riches of His grace accessible to them. “I will ask the Father,” He said, “and He will give you another Comforter, that He may remain with you forever: the Spirit of truth, which the world cannot receive, for it does not see Him nor know Him; but you know Him, for He remains with you and will be in you.” The Savior thereby pointed ahead to the time when the Holy Spirit would come to do a mighty work as His representative.«

1 - Ellen Gould White, The Acts of the Apostles (AA 47.1)

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The Ascension as a Prerequisite for the Outpouring of the Spirit

»“It is good for you that I go,” Christ had said to His disciples; “for if I do not go, the Comforter will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you.” ... Christ’s ascension was the signal that His followers were to receive the promised blessing. They were to wait for this before beginning their work. When Christ passed through the heavenly gates, He was enthroned amid the worship of angels. Once this ceremony was completed, the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples in rich streams ... The Pentecostal outpouring was the heavenly announcement that the appointment of the Redeemer had been accomplished. According to His promise, He had sent the Holy Spirit from heaven to His followers as a sign that He, as priest and king, had received all authority in heaven and on earth and that the Anointed One was over His people.«

2 - Ellen Gould White, The Acts of the Apostles (AA 38.2)

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Christ’s Enthronement and the Gift of the Holy Spirit

»Christ said to His disciples: “It is good for you that I go; for if I do not go, the Comforter will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.” This was the gift of all gifts. The Holy Spirit was sent as the most precious treasure that humanity could receive ... All power in heaven and on earth was given to Him, and after He had taken His place in the heavenly courts, He could dispense these blessings to all who accepted Him. The church was baptized with the power of the Spirit.«

3 - Ellen Gould White, Bible Echo and Signs of the Times (BEcho May 22, 1899, par. 8)

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Jesus’ Intercession before the Father to Secure the Gift

»After Christ’s ascension the disciples were full of joy—not because He had abandoned them, but because He had ascended to stand before His Father so that He could secure the gift of the Holy Spirit for His waiting, watchful, and praying congregation on earth. And while the disciples prayed, the Savior’s promise was fulfilled. The Comforter came to the orphaned congregation, and as the Holy Spirit rested upon the apostles, they were empowered with great strength.«

4 - Ellen Gould White, Pacific Union Recorder (PUR July 3, 1902, par. 2)

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