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NASB | Ephesians 1:13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 1:13 In Him, you also, when you heard the word of truth, the good news of your salvation, and [as a result] believed in Him, were stamped with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit [the One promised by Christ] as owned and protected [by God]. [John 7:39; Acts 2:33] |
Subject: Automatic Holy Spirit? |
Bible Note: Dear Nolan and Hank, Greetings in Jesus' name! Friends, I cannot help but agree with you that there is evidence of the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives that leads to salvation. Otherwise, who would receive 'credit' for our justification? However, I still do not see this as a synonymous and synchronous 'done deal.' There is too much empirical evidence that many of those who are touched by the Lord to confess Christ are not yet partakers of the gifts and the fruit of the Holy Spirit. While there are those that have deep conviction and faith in God from 'moment one,' there are just as many (more?) that struggle with literally every step in their walk with the Lord Jesus. They manifest little or no evidence of what the Bible describes as the fruit of the Spirit. Some battle for years until a 'breakthrough,' some gradually 'clean up their act,' some are in and out of church all their lives, and some walk away and return to their physical point of origin. Yet many of these continue to lean on the everlasting arms of Jesus! Are they saved? I cannot deny their salvation! Are they filled with the Holy Spirit, and immersed in Him? It would be hard to prove! After several years ministering to the homeless, the mentally-challenged, the elderly, and the infirm, then coming to a heathen nation and dealing with social hostility and anti-Christian bigotry, I cannot see this doctrine as clear-cut as you might. I would either have to deny salvation to the weak (little faith means no faith?) or proclaim a glorious relationship with God that had no evidence whatsoever. Please understand that I am NOT saying (as some Pentecostals would) that the indwelling or baptism of the Holy Spirit is completely separate from salvation, and that certain external signs or rites are necessary for salvation (i.e. tongues or water baptism). I am simply saying that I do not see it as synonymous and synchronous, that God's sense of time is different from our own. Well, that's it for me. Blessings and love to you in Christ Jesus, charis |