It was also a circular letter that did not address any issues or problems
It was a general letter teaching truths to all Christians
Eph 1 is a confirming letter
Paul reminds the Christians of their election, holiness, adoption, forgiveness of sins
There are many doctrines
Tonight looking at the doctrine of the seal of the Holy Spirit
Only three mentions in the New Testament:
2 Cor 1:22
Eph 1:13
Eph 4:30
There are different views on the 'seal of the Holy Spirit'
E.g. Charles Wesley Songs
An assurance given by God as a seal after conversion
E.g. Lloyd-Jones
What does the Bible teach?
'We' were the first - Paul and the Jews; but now 'you' the Gentiles are saved
There are not two different classes of Christians
All Christians are sealed with the Holy Spirit
There is no time lapse in being sealed after having believed
A Sign of Security
Think of a scroll in Roman times sealed in wax or the tomb of Jesus that was sealed
If we have trusted in Christ - we have been marked out by God
We have been given the Holy Spirit and are secure
None can pluck us out of His hand
"And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you." John 14:16-17
Once God has given His Holy spirit He remains with His people
We can grieve the Holy Spirit
He can withdraw His comfortable presence from us and leave us feeling dry and barren
God will never leave His people
A Sign of Authenticity
Example of Jezebel
The Holy Spirit is a proof that a Christian is authentic and genuine
"But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His." Rom 8:9
The guiding of the Holy Spirit
The proofs within and the proofs without
There are many forgeries
The Lord knows who are His
There will be a separation on the last day
A Sign of Ownership
Example of Jeremiah
We are the property of God
We are not our own
We belong to God
We must take care of our bodies: physical, mental, etc
God will defend us
He who is within us is greater than he who is within the world
This is a comforting thought
A Promise
The Holy Spirit is a promise/a pledge from God
In one sense a foretaste of heaven on earth
He shows us the spiritual realities
Our spirits have been redeemed and one day our body will be redeemed
"Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has givenus the Spirit as a guarantee." 2 Cor 5:5
"But you have not so learned Christ..." Eph 4:20
"The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we arechildren of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and jointheirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Rom 8:16-18
Example of Rebbecca Jones
Praise of God
This seal comes with the authority of God
We are to be to the praise of His glory
"And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit" Eph 5:18
"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Rom 15:13
