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NASB | 2 Corinthians 1:22 who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 Corinthians 1:22 it is He who has also put His seal on us [that is, He has appropriated us and certified us as His] and has given us the [Holy] Spirit in our hearts as a pledge [like a security deposit to guarantee the fulfillment of His promise of eternal life]. |
Bible Question: Thanks for the response. I have studied this subject, (NIV) not in super depth, but I have had conversations of late that seems there are different views/opinions of that gift of the Holy Spirit. In the OT, Psalms 51:11, David is pleading not to take the Holy Spirit, Isaiah 63:11, he set his Holy Spirit among them. In the NT, Luke 2:25, Simon was waiting for the Holy Spirit. Luke 3:16, John said, “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Acts 2:1, Holy Sprit comes at Pentecost, Acts 2:38, Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. So is it at God discretion or at baptism? Since the Apostles had the power; Acts 8… 17- Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 19- Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” So the question is: When do people receive the Seal/Gift of the Holy Spirit? I question this because I have encounter people who claim to be “Christians and say they have the Spirit”, but their lives do not parallel their words. Moreover, how does one ensure they have that seal? In living by the Spirit, Galatians 5:22, that is one way but in Ephesians 1:13 is says; And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit. So I am looking for solid scripture that gives us the SEAL. Thanks much. Searching Gods Heart |
Bible Answer: Dear Searching, I'd advise caution not to fall into the habit of thinking that Scripture is a set of individual statements from which we pick and choose in order to refute those who disagree with us. While we have lots of people who regularly do that on the forum, I'd just like to remind you that the Bible is the revelation of Christ. Treating it as a kind of manual for life renders it into an entirely different book. It leaves people with the mistaken impression that they can pick out what they need and leave the rest. We look at the whole of Scripture to build our doctrine, and we live by every Word of God. Jonp, in his answer #183800, gave you a fairly good description of what theologians call the ordo salutis -- the order of salvation. (You might want to take a look at post #151193 and/or do a search on the forum where this topic has been discussed.) The Holy Spirit is, indeed, responsible for the actual transformation, start to finish, of the believer. Like you, I am always doubtful when I see folks who describe themselves as "led by the Spirit" but look and act a lot more like the lost. The Holy Spirit conforms men into the image of Christ. The Scripture takes great pains to describe what a saved person looks like (see post #153858), so that we can discern the difference in ourselves and in others. For some of the Scripture passages you seek, check out post #151466. I'd also encourage you to read John 3, where Christ Himself speaks to this subject. Look also at Romans 8:9, 14-16, 23; 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30. In Him, Doc |