B LESSINGS INVOLVING THE H OLY S PIRIT Great assistance from Mark Copelands Executable Outline, The Epistle to the Ephesians: Blessings involving the Holy Spirit Text Eph 1:13-14

I NTRODUCTION ( DIRECT FROM OUTLINE ) In studying verses 4-12 in which Paul is praising God for the Spiritual riches in Christ, we have seen blessing which involve both the Father and the Son… Blessings involving the Father Chosen by God, to be holy and without blame before Him in love ( 1:4 ) Predestined by God, to receive the adoption as sons of God ( 1:5-6a ) Accepted by God, that is, to be highly favored by Him ( 1:6b )

I NTRODUCTION ( DIRECT FROM OUTLINE ) Blessings involving the Son God has redeemed us through the precious blood of His Son ( 1:7a ) God has forgiven us of our sins by virtue of His grace ( 1:7b-8 ) God has revealed His will to us pertaining His plan to gather into one all things in Christ ( 1:9-10 ) Verses close out this doxology by pointing out blessings we have in Christ that relate in particular to the work of the Holy Spirit The goal of this lesson will be to investigate some of these Blessings involving the Holy Spirit

T HE H OLY S PIRIT IS OUR S EAL What does the term seal actually mean? In ancient times a seal or signet was an instrument, often metal or stone, with an engraved pattern or design on it. It would be pressed into a softer material, usually wax or clay leaving an imprint like a stamp. ( Bible Hermeneutics beta online ) A seal affixed to a document (usually on a scroll) would have to be broken in order to unroll the document and read it. This meant it was in one way like today's "tamper-resistent seals" on packages. But it also was used to verify the authenticity of who sent a letter, especially a king's decree, because it would have the King's special stamp on it, similar to what we might use a signature for today. Handing over a signet ring would be symbolic way of allowing someone else to act on your behalf with your authority. However, sealing has both literal and figurative uses in the bible. Things besides just documents could be sealed. The door to the lion's den was "sealed" to prevent unauthorized entrance after it was shut. Jeremiah sealed the deeds of the field which he bought from Hanamel as a symbol of formal radification of his transaction. In the more figurative sense, it could also be used "for the act or token of authentication, confirmation, proof, security or possession." ( ISBE )

T HE H OLY S PIRIT IS OUR S EAL Thayer's lexicon enumerates the various uses of σφραγίσθητε to include: 1) to set a seal upon, mark with a seal, to seal (1a) for security: from Satan (1b) since things sealed up are concealed (as the contents of a letter), to hide, keep in silence, keep secret (1c) in order to mark a person or a thing 1c1) to set a mark upon by the impress of a seal or a stamp (1c2) angels are said to be sealed by God (1d) in order to prove, confirm, or attest a thing (1d1) to confirm authenticate, place beyond doubt (1d1a) of a written document (1d1b) to prove ones testimony to a person that he is what he professes to be

T HE H OLY S PIRIT IS OUR S EAL When it comes specifically to this verse in Ephesians, the The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia suggests the intended meaning is a mark of ownership by God: God by His Spirit indicates who are His, as the owner sets his seal on his property; and just as documents are sealed up until the proper time for opening them, so Christians are sealed up by the Holy Spirit unto the day of redemption (Eph. 1:13; Eph. 4:30; 2Co. 1:22).

T HE H OLY S PIRIT IS OUR S EAL Barnes states it the following way "Christians are said to be sealed; to be sealed by the Holy Spirit Eph. 1:13; Eph. 4:30 ; that is, the Holy Spirit is given to them to confirm them as belonging to God...God grants to them His Holy Spirit as the certain pledge that they are His, and shall be approved and saved in the last day." The Scofield bible offers the following footnote on this verse "The Holy Spirit is Himself the seal. In the symbolism of Scripture a seal signifies (1) A finished transaction ( Jer. 32:9, 10; John 17:4, 19:30 ), (2) Ownership ( Jer. 32:11, 12; 2 Tim. 2:19 ), (3) Security ( Esth. 8:8; Dan. 6:17; Eph. 4:30 )."

T HE H OLY S PIRIT IS OUR S EAL There are different ways in which the term could be understood here…I believe the context implies proof of ownership is what Paul has in mind In verse 14 he goes on to describe the Holy spirit as gurantee…until the redemption of the purchased possession In Eph 4:30 this is further evidenced when Paul makes the statement that we were sealed by the Spirit for the day of redemption Until this day of redemption, the Christian is given the Holy Spirit as evidence that he truly belongs to God

T HE H OLY S PIRIT IS OUR S EAL At what point are sealed with the Holy Spirit It is after one hears the word of truth ( Eph 1:13 ) It is after one believes the Gospel ( Jn 7:37-39 ) It is after one becomes a Son of God ( Gal 4:6-7 ) One does not become a son until he, acting upon his belief, is baptized into Christ ( Gal 3:26-27 )

T HE H OLY S PIRIT IS OUR G UARANTEE (E ARNEST ) Defining the term an earnest, is what confirms an agreement, and assures the right to the thing agreed to, and is a part of it, and lesser than it, and is never returned; so the Spirit of God certifies the right to the heavenly inheritance, as well as gives a meetness for it ( Gill ) And given the earnest of the Spirit - The word used here (α ̓ ρ ̓ ρ ̔ αβων arrabo ̄ n from the Hebrew צרבון arabown means properly a pledge given to ratify a contract; a part of the price, or purchase money; a first payment; that which confirms the bargain, and which is regarded as a pledge that all the price will be paid. The word occurs in the Septuagint and Hebrew, in Genesis 38:17-18; Genesis 38:20. In the New Testament it occurs only in this place, and in 2 Corinthians 5:5, and Ephesians 1:14, in each place in the same connection as applied to the Holy Spirit, and his influences on the heart. It refers to those influences as a pledge of the future glories which await Christians in heaven. ( Barnes )

T HE H OLY S PIRIT IS OUR G UARANTEE (E ARNEST ) Defining the term "earnest": the word here used, and in 2 Corinthians 5:5 is the Hebrew word and comes from which signifies "to become a surety, to give a pledge"; and is used for a pledge in covenants and bargains, both in Scripture, see Genesis 38:17, and in Jewish writings (d); which is given as an earnest, and in part of what it is a pledge of, and is never returned: the Spirit of God is an earnest or pledge of the heavenly inheritance, which is not only prepared for us, and promised to us, and Christ is in the possession of in our nature, in our room and stead, and as our representative; but the Spirit of God also is sent down "into our hearts" as a pledge of it; ( Gill ) And given us the earnest of his Spirit - There is a difference between an earnest and a pledge. A pledge is to be restored when the debt is paid; but an earnest is not taken away, but completed. Such an earnest is the Spirit. The first fruits of it we have Rom 8:23 ; and we wait for all the fulness.

T HE H OLY S PIRIT IS OUR G UARANTEE (E ARNEST ) The Holy Spirit is a Guarantee of our inheritance… God has given the Holy Spirit in our hearts as a deposit ( 2 Cor 1:22 ) He is a guarantee of what God has prepared for us 2 Cor 5:1-5; Rom 8:23 The blessings of what we receive from the Holy Spirit working in our lives today are just a small taste of what we will one day be ours To fully appreciate the above statement let us look at just a few examples of what the Holy Spirit can do for us now Rom 15:13; Gal 5:22-23; Eph 3:16

T HE H OLY S PIRIT IS OUR G UARANTEE (E ARNEST ) The Spirit remains this seal until The redemption of the purchased possession While it is true in one sense we have been redeemed ( Eph 1:7 ), through the blood of Christ, in another sense God has yet to redeem those who are truly His ( Eph 4:30 ) The Holy Spirit serves as guarantee that The day of redemption will in fact one day occur

C ONCLUSION It is clear that we have the Holy Spirit as both a seal and guarantee So what does that mean??? Is there something we should do because of this??? Three times throughout this doxology at the beginning of his letter to the Ephesians Paul says these blessings are, To the praise of His glory ( Eph 1:6, 12,14 ) For the above reason, our reaction should be the same as Paul stated at the beginning of this letter in verse 3 …clearly this is to praise and honor God