Sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise
What does it mean that believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise (Ephesians 1:13)?
If you need a reason to celebrate, consider Paul’s word in Ephesians 1:13: “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise” (NKJV). One of the many key points found in the book of Ephesians is that believers are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise.
A seal, both in the past and today, serves as an identifying mark to establish ownership. It’s similar to a stamp, though seals carry a more binding significance. Seals were employed on letters and documents, and, when a king issued a decree, a seal made it legally binding (see Daniel 6:7–9). In the ancient world, seals were also used on animals and even slaves. What sets Christians apart is the nature of our seal. Rather than a mere mark, Christians are sealed with a Person.
The Holy Spirit dwelling within us serves as a form of identification, a seal that demonstrates our belonging to God. The New Living Translation renders Ephesians 1:13 in straightforward terms: “And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago” (emphasis added).
We belong to Christ when we have the Holy Spirit living in us as a seal, a mark of identification. Paul reaffirms this truth in multiple places, including Romans 8:9, “If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.” (Also see 1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19–20; Galatians 4:6.) It is impossible to claim that you belong to Christ without the Holy Spirit. The seal, promised by Jesus and prophesied in the Old Testament (Isaiah 44:3; Joel 2:28–29), can also be considered a gift (Acts 2:38). What a privilege to have God’s Spirit dwelling in us!
The Holy Spirit provides both internal and external assurance that we are secure in Christ. Internally, the Holy Spirit generates a desire to please God, a deeper conviction, and even a transformed purpose for our lives. While new believers may often experience a joy and enthusiasm akin to the infatuation of a new relationship, this is not always the case. Some may find assurance through a quiet conviction. Externally, our assurance is derived from God’s Word. As we read, study, and meditate on Scripture, the Spirit confirms our salvation. The external assurance is especially valuable during times when the flesh seems to prevail.
So, how should we respond to the reality of the Holy Spirit sealing us? First, we should rejoice that anyone in Christ is a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) and a temple, regenerated and inhabited by the Spirit. It logically follows that we ought to live differently and treat ourselves as temples, staying away from anything that defiles us (1 Corinthians 6:19). Paul summarized the Christian life in one sentence: “I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds” (Acts 26:20).
The Holy Spirit, as a seal, provides us with the confidence that we belong to God and that our salvation is secure. The Spirit guides us, illuminating Scripture, bestowing gifts for the benefit of the body of Christ, and empowering us to fulfill God’s will.
