What is the Holy Spirit the down payment of?
The Holy Spirit is the earnest, or down payment, of our inheritance. Believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, which God gives as His mark of ownership. This down payment assures the believer of the full inheritance yet to come.
Les explains that after a person believes, God seals and brands that believer. He illustrates this with a cattle brand, which marks ownership. The indwelling Holy Spirit is God's mark of ownership for the believer. Les emphasizes that salvation is not based on church membership or baptism—sprinkling, pouring, or immersion—but on believing. The believer is sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest, or down payment, of our inheritance. This down payment is the pledge of our inheritance.