Topical Encyclopedia The concept of the sealing of the Holy Spirit is a profound theological theme found within the New Testament, signifying the believer's secure position in Christ and the assurance of salvation. This sealing is typified in various ways throughout Scripture, illustrating the permanence and divine guarantee of the believer's relationship with God.Old Testament Typology 1. Circumcision as a Seal: In the Old Testament, circumcision served as a physical sign of the covenant between God and Abraham's descendants. Genesis 17:11 states, "You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between Me and you." This act was a seal of righteousness by faith, as later expounded by Paul in Romans 4:11, where he describes it as "a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised." 2. The Passover Blood: The blood of the Passover lamb, applied to the doorposts of the Israelites' homes, served as a protective seal against the destroyer. Exodus 12:13 declares, "The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you." This typifies the protective and redemptive seal of the Holy Spirit upon believers, marking them as God's own. 3. The High Priest's Garments: The high priest in Israel wore a breastplate with twelve stones, each engraved with the name of one of the tribes of Israel (Exodus 28:21). This served as a continual memorial before the Lord, symbolizing the perpetual intercession and representation of God's people. This typifies the believer's secure position before God, sealed by the Holy Spirit. New Testament Fulfillment 1. The Holy Spirit as a Seal: In the New Testament, the sealing of the Holy Spirit is explicitly mentioned as a mark of ownership and a guarantee of the believer's inheritance. Ephesians 1:13-14 states, "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." 2. The Deposit Guaranteeing Our Inheritance: The Holy Spirit is described as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 affirms, "Now it is God who establishes both us and you in Christ. He anointed us, placed His seal on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a pledge of what is to come." This sealing signifies the believer's secure future and the assurance of eternal life. 3. The Mark of Authenticity and Ownership: The seal of the Holy Spirit also serves as a mark of authenticity and divine ownership. 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 indicates that the Holy Spirit's seal is both a present reality and a future promise, underscoring the believer's identity and security in Christ. Typological Significance The typology of the sealing of the Holy Spirit throughout Scripture underscores the continuity of God's redemptive plan and His unwavering commitment to His people. The Old Testament types find their fulfillment in the New Testament reality, where the Holy Spirit's seal is not merely a physical mark but a spiritual reality, signifying the believer's secure and eternal relationship with God. This sealing assures believers of their identity in Christ, their inheritance, and their ultimate redemption, reflecting the unchanging nature of God's promises. Torrey's Topical Textbook Romans 4:11And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed to them also: Torrey's Topical Textbook Library More Particularly, in what Respect Christ is Called the Truth. V. ... They Shall be Called the Children of God Homilies on Galatians and Ephesians. An Essay on the Scriptural Doctrine of Immortality. Concerning Baptism. The Preface to the Commandments Resources Who is the king of the North in Daniel 11? | GotQuestions.orgWho is the king of the South in Daniel 11? | GotQuestions.org Are there parallels between Jewish wedding traditions and our relationship to Christ? | 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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