GOD THE FATHER ASSURES OUR ETERNAL SALVATION THROUGH GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR HIS OWN GLORY
THE HOLY SPIRIT SECURES THE SAINTS' FUTURE -- SECURES IT FOR US AND FOR GOD
I. AS A SEAL FROM GOD
II. AS A DOWNPAYMENT FROM GOD
1. As a Seal from God (:13)
a. Whom is Paul addressing here?
Note the change in pronouns to second person plural -- "you"
Possibility that Paul is here beginning to introduce the distinction between Jewish believers and Gentile believers that will be an important theme in the book as he describes how both have been united into one body--the church.
Certainly it would have been difficult for some Jews to accept that God was now treating the Gentiles so favorably and on an equal footing, so the fact of the sealing with the Holy Spirit should help to clinch this and give these Gentile believers the assurance about their future that they need.
b. 2 Prerequisites = Hearing and Believing
c. Significance of the Holy Spirit as the Seal from God
1) marking as one's own possession -- ownership
2) confirming or authenticating
3) making secure
Fulfillment of God's promise -- "the Holy Spirit of promise"
OT: Joel 3:1-5; Is. 32:15; 44:3; Ezek. 36:26; 39:29; Zech. 12:10
emphasis on a new heart and a new spirit
NT: John 14:16-17; 15:26; 16:13; Acts 1:4
Fulfillment of Day of Pentecost
Emphasis on Holiness -- 2 Thess. 2:13 Holy Spirit seals us to make us holy
2. As a Downpayment from God (:14)
a. Def. and Signif. of Downpayment
first installment; part payment in advance
Our present possession of the Holy Spirit is a sample and guarantee, a partial payment of our future inheritance.
b. 2 things that have been made secure regarding the saints' future
a. with respect to the saints: our inheritance
b. with respect to God: full redemption and possession of us
