Seals: Converts
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Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical terminology, the concept of "seals" often refers to a mark of authenticity, ownership, or protection. This idea is applied metaphorically to describe the spiritual sealing of believers, or converts, by the Holy Spirit. The sealing of converts is a significant theme in the New Testament, symbolizing the assurance of salvation and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer.

Sealing by the Holy Spirit

The Apostle Paul frequently discusses the sealing of believers as a divine act that confirms their status as God's own. 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 convert as belonging to God and guaranteeing their future inheritance.

Similarly, in 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 , Paul states, "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." Here, the seal is described as a divine anointing, a confirmation of the believer's relationship with Christ, and a foretaste of eternal life.

The Purpose and Significance of Sealing

The sealing of converts serves multiple purposes. It is a mark of ownership, indicating that the believer belongs to God. In the ancient world, seals were used to denote ownership and authenticity, and this imagery is applied to the spiritual realm to convey the believer's secure position in Christ.

Furthermore, the seal of the Holy Spirit acts as a guarantee or deposit, assuring believers of their future inheritance in the kingdom of God. This assurance is not based on human effort but on the faithfulness of God, who has promised eternal life to those who believe in His Son.

Protection and Preservation

The sealing of the Holy Spirit also implies protection and preservation. In Ephesians 4:30 , Paul admonishes believers, "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." This sealing is a protective measure, safeguarding the believer until the final day of redemption. It underscores the security of the believer's salvation, which is kept by the power of God.

Sealing in the Context of Conversion

The act of sealing is closely associated with the moment of conversion, when an individual places their faith in Jesus Christ. This transformative experience is marked by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who not only seals the believer but also empowers them for a life of holiness and service. The presence of the Holy Spirit is the evidence of genuine conversion and the beginning of a new life in Christ.

Conclusion

The sealing of converts by the Holy Spirit is a profound biblical truth that underscores the security, ownership, and future hope of every believer. It is a divine act that marks the believer as God's own, assures them of their inheritance, and protects them until the day of redemption. Through this sealing, converts are empowered to live out their faith, confident in the promise of eternal life.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
1 Corinthians 9:2
If I be not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of my apostleship are you in the Lord.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Letter xx. Self-Examination.
... for the strong confidence which is sometimes expressed by young converts, who
afterwards ... of princes to have their names and images stamped upon their seals. ...
/.../letter xx self-examination.htm

Christian Worship,
... to adorn their houses, their furniture, their cups, and their seals, the Christians ...
The length of time during which converts were obliged to be catechumens ...
/.../chapter xviii christian worship.htm

Spiritual Condition of the Congregations. --The Seven Churches in ...
... disclaimed perfection, much less can we expect it from their converts, who had ... first
three, the other the remaining four, just as the seven seals, the seven ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 50 spiritual condition of.htm

The Foreign Missions and their Influence.
... They had 13,000 baptized converts before a missionary from any other Church arrived
on ... evening, when the men had returned with their bag of seals, there was a ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter vi the foreign missions.htm

Twelfth Sunday after Trinity Gospel Transcends Law.
... "We, my fellow-apostles and co-laborers and I," he says, "do not ask for letters
and seals from others commending us to you ... PAUL'S CONVERTS LIVING EPISTLES. ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twelfth sunday after trinity gospel.htm

The Lord's Day --The Worship of the Apostolic Church --Its ...
... much disputed whether it was also administered to the infant children of the converts. ...
the elements employed in them simply as signs and seals of spiritual ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter i the lords daythe.htm

A visit to the Harvest Field
... At one time we see many conversions, and we bless God that there are so many seals
to our testimony. But some of the converts after a while disappoint us. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/a visit to the harvest.htm

The Consensus and Dissensus of Creeds.
... 5. Sacraments: visible signs, seals, and means of grace. ... (a) Its subjects: only
responsible converts on the ground of a voluntary profession of their faith. ...
/.../ 115 the consensus and.htm

Justification by Faith.
... the cause that God gave Christ, neither is it the cause why God converts men to ... this
song, "Thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seals thereof, for ...
/.../bunyan/the riches of bunyan/ix justification by faith.htm

The Great Schism
... from the excitement of the Great Awakening, from unrestrained converts, from rash ...
to enter another minister's parish, and preach or administer the seals of the ...
/.../chapter x the great schism.htm

Resources
Does The Harbinger really predict America's future? | GotQuestions.org

Who/what is the Lion of the tribe of Judah? | GotQuestions.org

What are the three woes of Revelation? | GotQuestions.org

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Subtopics

Seals

Seals: Appropriation of Saints to God by the Spirit

Seals: Called Signet

Seals: Circumcision

Seals: Converts

Seals: Full Approval

Seals: Generally Worn As Rings or Bracelets

Seals: Impressions of Attached to all Royal Decrees

Seals: Impressions of Attached to Covenants

Seals: Impressions of Attached to Lease and Transfers of Property

Seals: Impressions of Attached to the Victims Approved for Sacrifice, Alluded To

Seals: Impressions of Frequently Taken in Clay

Seals: Impressions of Set Upon Treasures

Seals: Impressions of Used for Security

Seals: Impressions of Were Given by Kings As a Badge of Authority

Seals: Inscriptions Upon, Alluded To

Seals: Precious Stones Set in Gold Used As

Seals: Restraint

Seals: Secrecy

Seals: Security

Seals: What is Dear or Valued

Related Terms

Scroll (70 Occurrences)

Seal (47 Occurrences)

Opens (30 Occurrences)

Printed (2 Occurrences)

Apostle (25 Occurrences)

Printing

Seven (404 Occurrences)

Print (3 Occurrences)

Thereof (845 Occurrences)

Tribe (250 Occurrences)

Sealskin (8 Occurrences)

Crafts (2 Occurrences)

Loose (219 Occurrences)

Break (257 Occurrences)

Worthy (92 Occurrences)

Jasper (8 Occurrences)

Warnings (6 Occurrences)

Tribulation (43 Occurrences)

Terrify (27 Occurrences)

Thunder (48 Occurrences)

Triumphed (8 Occurrences)

Terrifies (3 Occurrences)

Engraver (3 Occurrences)

Exclaiming (6 Occurrences)

Miracle (15 Occurrences)

Purchased (24 Occurrences)

Prevailed (46 Occurrences)

Praise (487 Occurrences)

Backside (3 Occurrences)

Beings (42 Occurrences)

Badger (9 Occurrences)

Creatures (83 Occurrences)

Closely (38 Occurrences)

Carnelian (5 Occurrences)

Cow (32 Occurrences)

Conquered (20 Occurrences)

Agate (4 Occurrences)

Attitudes (1 Occurrence)

Seal-ring (3 Occurrences)

Silver (329 Occurrences)

Sides (170 Occurrences)

Slain (235 Occurrences)

Sealed (31 Occurrences)

Sang (28 Occurrences)

Skin (115 Occurrences)

Juda (11 Occurrences)

Languages (36 Occurrences)

Tahpanhes (7 Occurrences)

Separate (115 Occurrences)

Bought (66 Occurrences)

Nehelamite (4 Occurrences)

Beasts (241 Occurrences)

Golden (86 Occurrences)

Inside (185 Occurrences)

Images (158 Occurrences)

Noise (126 Occurrences)

Belongs (127 Occurrences)

Shinar (8 Occurrences)

Resurrection (42 Occurrences)

Weep (97 Occurrences)

Lion (92 Occurrences)

Broke (153 Occurrences)

Instruction (117 Occurrences)

Root (54 Occurrences)

Proclaiming (63 Occurrences)

Calf (39 Occurrences)

Overcome (300 Occurrences)

Nation (192 Occurrences)

Weeping (237 Occurrences)

Hittites (39 Occurrences)

Shut (237 Occurrences)

Stop (108 Occurrences)

Revelation (52 Occurrences)

Throne (181 Occurrences)

Lamb (124 Occurrences)

Mighty (514 Occurrences)

Opened (182 Occurrences)

Stars (64 Occurrences)

Killed (352 Occurrences)

Seals: Circumcision
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