The Sealing of the Holy Ghost

 Temple Baptist Church - 11-11-2026

2 Corinthians 1:21-22

 

Introduction: 

A. Possibly the most misunderstood doctrine in these last days is that of the person and work of the Holy Spirit.  As we are studying the book of 2 Corinthians, I will not take time to deal with this doctrine in its entirety.  That is a study unto itself.  I will deal with deal with certain verses that we find in this book though and verse 22 is one of those verses. 

 

B. Pentecostal and Charismatic people have certainly perverted this doctrine with their antics.  Though they violate clear Scripture, they continue to do so in the name of the Holy Ghost.  They have no regard for the Bible and base their doctrines on the desires of the flesh.  The Scripture cannot be broken!

 

C. My major concern is the ignorance of believers concerning His person and work.  The work of the Holy Spirit is such a blessing to those who understand!

 

D. One of aspects of His work is the seal of the believer.  Let us look at this for a few minutes tonight and then rejoice in this particular aspect of His work.

 

E. There are at three things that take place simultaneously at the moment of salvation that I will mention.  The first two briefly so that we can understand what takes place when we are saved and then a third in more detail.

 

1. We Are Baptized By The Holy Ghost – this takes place at the moment that we are saved. 

 

Mark 1:8  I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

 

Romans 6:3-5  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also [in the likeness] of his resurrection:  (This has to do with placement into the Body of Christ and “shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection” is our guarantee of resurrection.)

 

2. We Are Indwelt By The Holy Ghost – this also takes place at the moment of salvation.

 

Romans 8:9  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.  (The Indwelling Holy Spirit Is Evidenced By: )

 

a. A Blessed Assurance - 1 John 5:10  He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

 

b. A Changed Life - Galatians 5:22-23  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

 

c. A Boldness To Witness - Acts 1:8  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

 

Acts 4:31  And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

 

3. We Are Sealed By The Holy Ghost – This too takes place at the moment of salvation. 

 

a. What Is A Seal?

 

1) A tight or perfect closure: a tight closure that prevents the entrance or escape of, e.g. air or water, or a substance or device that forms such a closure

 

2) A special closure that reveals tampering: a closure for a package or container that must be broken when the package or container is opened and can therefore reveal tampering

 

3) An authenticating stamp: a ring or stamp with a raised or engraved symbol or emblem that is pressed into wax in order to certify a signature or authenticate a document

 

4) A symbol of office: a device, emblem, or symbol that is a mark of office

 

5) Something giving confirmation: something that gives confirmation or assurance

 

6) To close something firmly: to close something tightly or securely with a seal

 

7) To make something watertight or airtight: to make something watertight,

airtight, or nonporous, e.g. by filling gaps or applying a coating

 

8) attach authenticating seal to something: to affix a marked piece of wax to something in order to authenticate or certify it

 

9) To confirm something: to confirm a decision or come to an agreement on s on something as toseal a contract

 

10) settle something: to determine something irrevocably

 

11) To solemnize or set the seal on something 

12) To be the thing that ensures that something happens or that completes and perfects something 

13) To give final approval or authorization for something

 

b. Why Are We Sealed?

 

1) Because Of Sonship.

 

Galatians 4:5-6  To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.  6  And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

 

1 John 3:2  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

 

2) Because Of Ownership.

 

Acts 20:28  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

 

1 Corinthians 6:20  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

 

Ephesians 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

 

c. What Is The Result Of That Seal?

 

1) It Is A Seal Of Intent.

 

Earnest - In ancient times, the earnest payment was called an earnest penny, and also known as Arles penny, God's penny. It signified money given to bind a bargain, especially for the purchase or hiring of a servant. We use this word when binding an agreement with “earnest money,” which is not refundable.

 

2 Corinthians 1:22  Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

 

2 Corinthians 5:5  Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

 

Ephesians 1:13  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,

 

2) It Is A Seal Of Permanence.

 

Ephesians 1:14  Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

 

Esther 8:8  Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s ring: for the writing which is written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s ring, may no man reverse.  (Cannot be reversed!)

 

Isaiah 29:11  And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:

 

Daniel 6:17  And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.

 

Conclusion: Salvation is an act of God, not of man!  God saves; God sanctifies; and God seals! 

 

Ecclesiastes 3:14  I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.