checks to unconditional covenants 8
TRANSCRIPT
CHECKS TO UNCONDITIONAL COVENANTS
CHECKS TO UNCONDITIONAL COVENANTS 8
CHECKS TO UNCONDITIONAL COVENANTS 8 THE LORD’S SEAL
Not an Agent of Force THE LORD'S SEAL is Not an Agent of
Force "Once in grace, always in grace"
supporters attempt to prove their doctrine from yet a different standpoint by appealing to Bible verses that refer to the sealing of the believer.
Ephesians 4:30 Their favourite verse on this subject
is found in the book of Ephesians: Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the Holy Spirit of
God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
A False Air of Confidence They declare with an air of confidence
that the seal guarantees a no-fall salvation.
To them the Holy Spirit's seal is an iron curtain surrounding the Christian that will not permit even the most rebellious backslider to fall from grace and perish; however, this position is indefensible!
Let Us Look at the Scriptures
Let’s Look at How the Bible Uses the Word “Sealed”
A study of the use of the word "sealed" in the Bible will reveal that the Holy Spirit is not an agent who will force Christians to remain in
grace.
Biblical References for Seal
Here are some examples of how the word ‘seal’ is used within the Scriptures:
Sign to Confirm A Transaction A seal is a sign to confirm or authenticate a
transaction: Ephesians 1:13-14 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, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
The Earnest of Our Inheritance A person is sealed with God's Holy Spirit at
the moment of conversion. In the above verses, the sealing of the
believer by the Holy Spirit is called the "earnest of our inheritance."
Ephesians 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
The word "earnest" means to give a token of a firm or serious
intention. A down payment with the intention
of completion according to “the declared conditions”
The Declared Conditions These determine the outcome An intention to complete providing
the agreement fulfills the subject to contract.
In matters of the New Covenant the contract is filled with “IF” clauses.
The Holy Spirit Is the Earnest
When a person receives the Holy Spirit, he knows he is truly saved.
The word "seal" in this instance is somewhat like the seal of a notary public.
A Notary Public is given statutory powers to witness
documents, administer oaths. A notary public seals a contract to
confirm its authenticity.
(More details in transcription notes see the link in the description)
God’s Seal Authenticates God Authenticates Our Salvation
Experience God authenticates a person's
salvation experience by PLEDGING HIS SERIOUSNESS in the transaction by the seal of the
Holy Spirit.
This seal proves: 1. To be saved is not just turning religious. 2. To be saved is not just an emotional
experience. 3. To be saved is not using a type of
psychological crutch. 4. Salvation is really of God. 5. You may/can know that you are indeed
saved.
Assurance from the Holy Spirit
To Be Saved Is to Have Assurance from the Holy Spirit
A person who has received God's Holy Spirit has a "know-so salvation."
Such a person has assurance from the Holy Spirit.
Such a person has assurance from the written word of God.
You know you are saved
The Seal Authenticates The Participants
The seal is a token of authentication; However, consider carefully the word
"earnest" or "sealed" – this does not imply being unconditionally bound.
A seal affixed to a contract/covenant does not guarantee one of the parties involved will not break the terms and conditions of the contract even leaving the seal unbroken.
Should a seal be broken A broken Seal indicates that the
contents of the covenant/contract may have been tampered with and changed.
The contract has many conditions some of which do not come into bearing until the day of redemption.
The presence of the seal The seal affirms the legitimacy of the
identity of the parties involved in the contract/covenant.
An unbroken seal A seal does not prevent the contract
becoming null and void but it is a visible indicator whether the seal is broken or not.
Implies an authentication by a third party
That third party is the word of God
The word of God PLACED ABOVE HIS NAME Psalms 138:2 I will worship toward
thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
A Broken Seal Is a visible notation that matters
have changed A Broken Seal, a Broken Contract
implies that a third party will oversee the correctness or authenticity of the covenant and its terms and conditions.
The Word of God In this case the third party is The
Word of God which God himself has placed above his own name and bound himself to.
The word of God authenticates the correctness of the breaking of the seal in the breaking of the covenant.
Man has been sealed, but he is still obligated to the
stipulations of the contract Hebrews 3:6 But Christ as a son over
his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
A Mark of Ownership 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 Now he which
stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; 22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
A seal is a mark or symbol that proves ownership.
When a person is saved, God marks that individual with His Holy Spirit
This Is Not a Literal Mark A Christian is not sealed with a
literal mark or brand, but he has received the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is God's seal. The person who has truly been
saved will manifest the evidences of salvation.
Mark of A Changed Life The Seal Bears the Mark of a
Changed Life The evidences of salvation are
wrought by the working of the Holy Spirit, according to the written word of God, in the life of a believer and is God's mark or seal of ownership.
There is an Identifying Mark
This mark identifies a person as one of God's sons 2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of
God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
2 John 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
Not an Unconditional Guarantee This seal is not an unconditional
guarantee Again, the word "seal" implies no
unconditional guarantee. There is not a single verse in the
Bible that says the Holy Spirit is God's padlock.
3. An Indication of Pure Contents A seal to Keep the Contents Pure The Holy Spirit is the Comforter sent
from God to keep the Christian pure Song of Solomon 4:12 A garden
enclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed.
This is the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. The word "sealed", in this verse ,
could be compared to the seal on a fruit jar.
The seal on a fruit jar keeps the impurities out and the contents pure.
He is the Christian's strength
1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
This Seal Helps to Preserve Purity He will keep a person spiritually
strong, morally pure, and intellectually clean.
In other words, He will keep the impurities out and help the child of God to be "pure in heart."
Not a Guarantee of Unconditional Security
This still does not guarantee an unconditional security.
The Holy Spirit's ministry to the believer is completely on a voluntary basis.
He can only lead the Christian as the Christian submits voluntarily to him.
a person can still backslide in spite of the Holy Spirit's objections.
THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL NOT FORCE
an individual to remain pure.
Evidence of Violation A broken seal is positive evidence
that a violation has been committed Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the
Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Is this verse a Preservation Promise?
"Once in grace" supporters try to confidently quote this verse as a promise to validate their doctrine of unconditional salvation.
It is, in truth, a warning that opposes their viewpoint.
Notice, this verse is not written as a promise for believers to claim.
This verse is a warning for believers to heed.
Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the Holy Spirit of
God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
warning for believers to heed
A seal is placed on something
not only to authenticate, to mark, and to keep pure; but it also serves the purpose of revealing a violation if one is committed.
For Instance When a woman finds a jar on the
shelf of a store and the seal is broken, the contents are judged as contaminated and no good.
Can the Holy Spirit Be Despised? It Is Possible to Despise the Influence
of the Holy Spirit The Bible says it is possible to despise
the Holy Spirit's influence Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin willfully
after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Only the Sanctified This sin can only be committed by a person
who was once saved, "was sanctified" Hebrews 10:29 Of how much sorer
punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
Definitely Not a step to take
To count the blood of the covenant...an unholy thing and do
despite to the spirit of grace
We Are Warned in No Uncertain Terms
Ephesians 4:30 warns Christians not to risk this sin by continually "grieving" God's Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of
God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Unto the Day of Redemption
Christians are sealed "unto the day of redemption" at conversion.
Luke 21:27-28 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Romans 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
The Seal Is the Earnest The Holy Spirit Lives in Us As the
Earnest The Holy Spirit is sent to live in the
Christian's heart as God's earnest until Jesus comes to seal the covenant of redemption
Romans 8:19-25 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature
waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
Romans 8:19-25 23 And not only they, but ourselves also,
which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
Ponder This for a Moment Romans 8:23 And not only they, but
ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
Consider “but ourselves also” and this wonderful phrase “to wit.”
Not Unconditional Security This does not guarantee unconditional
security. The Holy Ghost is God's here and now
proof that Jesus Christ will return to claim His people.
However, the Holy Spirit's seal can be violated and His influence quenched out of a believer's life
Why Then This Admonition?
“Quench Not the Spirit” 1 Thessalonians 5:19 Quench not
the Spirit.
Why Then This Exhortation?
“To Endure unto the End”? Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure
unto the end, the same shall be saved. Mark 13:13 And ye shall be hated of all men
for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
If it were impossible for a person to fall from grace, there would be no need to instruct Christians to endure unto the end:
Hope to the End? Indeed Why the Need to Hope to the
End? 1 Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up the
loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
By Patient Continuance? Why “By Patient Continuance in Well
Doing”? Romans 2:7 To them who by patient
continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
This Injunction Has No Meaning: Matthew 24:13 But he that shall
endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
If the covenant is cast iron and unbreakable as far as God is concerned.
endure unto the end Many other verses emphasize this saving
truth. The Holy Spirit is a heavenly companion
for Christians until Jesus returns in person. Nevertheless, those who do not live
faithfully to the LORD and extinguish the Holy Spirit's influence out of their life will not be accepted when Jesus returns
Consider the Import of This Parable Matthew 25:8 And the foolish said
unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
Matthew 25:11-12 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
What Is Your Conclusion? Surely you are not going to rest on
the false assumption that these parables were written to Israel and not to Christians from among the Gentiles?
CONSIDER THE SINS AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT
FIVE SINS AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT
1. Resist Acts 7:51 Ye stiffnecked and
uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.
Spoken to religious but unbelievers, unsaved people.
2. Grieve Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the
holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Spoken to the saved believers concerning degrees of backsliding
3 . Quench 1 Thessalonians 5:19 Quench not
the Spirit. An admonition written to to
believers and the followers of the Lord Jesus, the saved, the redeemed.
4. Despite Hebrews 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment,
suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
Written to those who have received saving grace. (Unless you think that Hebrews does not apply to
Gentile Christians – oh dear – I have never been able to fathom the logic or teaching of this particular fable)
5. Blasphemy considered in 3 passages of the
Scriptures Matthew 12:31-37 Mark 3:28-30 Luke 12:10
Matthew 12:31-37 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin
and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. 32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. 34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. 36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
Mark 3:28-30 Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be
forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: 29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: 30 Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.
Luke 12:10 And whosoever shall speak a word
against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.
This Testimony of Scripture
There is no Scripture that states that being sealed by the Holy Spirit will prevent someone blaspheming against the Holy Spirit.
Those who have completely quenched the Holy Spirit are apostates and fallen from grace.
IT OUGHT TO BE PLAIN Being sealed does represent an
unbreakable padlock or contract; it just affirms that the covenant or contract is genuine and correctly affixed.