When and how is a believer sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise?
After hearing the word of truth, the gospel of salvation, and placing faith in Christ, a believer is sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. This sealing occurs upon belief and is the earnest, or down payment, of the inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession.
Les teaches from Ephesians 1:13-14 that the order is hearing the word of truth, the gospel of salvation, then trusting or placing faith in Christ. After believing, the believer is sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. Les explains that this sealing is the earnest, or down payment, of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession. He notes that while we are already redeemed, the body is not yet redeemed; it remains in the flesh and is prone to pain, accidents, and sin like the unbeliever. The down payment assures that even this physical body will be redeemed, though at death the soul and spirit are separated from it.
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
More Questions
When are believers sealed with the Holy Spirit according to Ephesians 1:13?
Believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise after they heard the word of truth and believed in Christ.
When does sealing with the Holy Spirit happen?
A person receives the sealing with the Holy Spirit of promise after believing, not after church membership, catechism, baptism, or becoming a communicant.
Is the sealing of believers with the Holy Spirit of promise taught in any of the Gospels?
Paul's teaching that believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise (Ephesians 1:13) is not something you find in the Gospels.