Topical Encyclopedia The concept of the sealing of the Holy Spirit is a significant theological theme within the New Testament, representing the assurance and security of the believer's salvation. This divine seal is a mark of ownership and authenticity, indicating that the believer belongs to God and is under His protection. The sealing of the Holy Spirit is exclusively for those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ, and it is not extended to the wicked or unbelievers.Biblical Foundation The Apostle Paul provides a foundational understanding of the sealing of the Holy Spirit in his epistles. In Ephesians 1:13-14 , Paul writes, "And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth—the gospel of your salvation—you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory." This passage highlights that the sealing occurs upon belief in the gospel, marking the believer as God's possession and guaranteeing their future inheritance. Further, in Ephesians 4:30 , Paul exhorts believers, "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." This verse underscores the permanence and purpose of the seal, which is to preserve the believer until the final day of redemption. Exclusion of the Wicked The wicked, defined as those who reject God and live in opposition to His will, do not receive the sealing of the Holy Spirit. The New Testament consistently portrays a clear distinction between the righteous, who are sealed, and the wicked, who are not. In Romans 8:9 , Paul states, "You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ." This indicates that those without the Spirit, synonymous with the wicked, do not belong to Christ and therefore are not sealed. The absence of the Holy Spirit's seal in the wicked is further emphasized in 1 Corinthians 2:14 , where Paul explains, "The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." The natural man, or the unregenerate, is incapable of receiving the Spirit's seal because they do not accept or understand spiritual truths. Theological Implications The sealing of the Holy Spirit serves as a divine guarantee of the believer's salvation and eternal security. It is a testament to God's faithfulness and the transformative work of the Spirit in the life of the believer. The exclusion of the wicked from this sealing underscores the necessity of faith in Christ for salvation and the reception of the Holy Spirit. The distinction between the sealed and the unsealed is a recurring theme in Scripture, highlighting the separation between those who are in Christ and those who are not. This separation is not merely a matter of moral behavior but is rooted in one's relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. The sealing of the Holy Spirit is thus both a privilege and a responsibility for believers, calling them to live in a manner worthy of their calling and to reflect the character of the One who has sealed them. Torrey's Topical Textbook Revelation 9:4And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Grieving the Holy Spirit "For what the Law could not Do, in that it was Weak Though the ... "Who Walk not after the Flesh, but after the Spirit. " Good News Assurance Of the Sacraments. Analysis of the Westminster Confession. They Shall be Called the Children of God The Seventh (And Last) vision "On Earth" A Table of the Chief Things. Resources What was the significance of the sprinkling of blood? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the definitions of some common theological terms? | GotQuestions.org What is the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives today? | GotQuestions.org Sealing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Sealing of the Holy Spirit is to the Day of Redemption Sealing of the Holy Spirit: Christ Received Sealing of the Holy Spirit: Judgment Suspended Until all Saints Receive Sealing of the Holy Spirit: Saints Receive Sealing of the Holy Spirit: The Wicked do not Receive Sealing of the Holy Spirit: Typified Related Terms |
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