The Spirit’s works of baptism and sealing

MARKED FOR LIFE

NOOMA

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

The Spirit is given to every believer as a permanent identifying mark of new life.– Both baptism and sealing occur as part of the

“package deal” at salvation– You don’t have to ask for, work for, pray for,

prepare for, or grow up into the Spirit– Baptism is always about identification– Sealing is principally about ownership

SPIRIT BAPTISM

1. Spirit baptism is a unique experience to post-Pentecost believers. (Acts 1:5, 8; 2:1-4)

– John the Baptizer preached a future baptism by Spirit (Mt 3:11 // Mk 1:8// Lk 3:16 // Jn 1:33)

– Jesus taught a future baptism by Spirit (Acts 1:5, 11:16)

SPIRIT BAPTISM

2. Spirit baptism is a universal experience for post-Pentecost believers. – The letters were written to diverse churches

with believers in various spiritual conditions– Paul refers to “all” being baptized – The unity in one Lord and one faith is marked

also by one baptism (Eph 4:5)

– No exhortation is ever given to believers to be baptized by the Spirit

SPIRIT BAPTISM

3. Spirit baptism identifies and unites believers to the body of Christ (the church). (1 Cor 12:12-13; Eph 4:1-6)– The “body of Christ” is an exclusively NT

expression (distinct from people of God)– Christ, its head, took His place after His

resurrection & ascension (Eph 1:22-23; Col 1:18-19)

– This unity with all, without prejudice or segregation, is possible because of the Spirit

SPIRIT BAPTISM

4. Spirit baptism identifies believers with Christ permanently. (Rom 6:1-5; Gal 3:27; Col 2:12)

– It is not the same as water baptism– Water baptism is a symbolic declaration that

Spirit baptism has occurred– Spirit baptism is the indicator that we are in

union with Christ, and therefore secure– It does not give any believer miracle-working

powers as evidence of their faith

SPIRIT SEALING

1. God seals the believer and gives him the Spirit in guarantee of eternal life. (2 Cor 1:22; Eph 1:13-14, 4:30)– The Spirit marks the believer as belonging to

Christ– The believer is going to receive an inheritance of

eternal life, according to the promise of God– No exhortation is ever given to believers to be

sealed by the Spirit

SPECIAL CASES: ACTS

• Acts is a transitional book moving between the times of the OT and the NT.

• “After the events of Pentecost we find no other clear cases of such postconversion experience among Jews.” Millard J Erickson– Acts 8 (Samaritans) and Acts 10 (Gentiles) are

episodes that follow the pattern of Acts 2 (Jews)– There are no delays described beyond Acts

CONCLUSIONS

“The Spirit’s baptizing and sealing work are very closely related, and both occur at the same time though they are not identical.

Baptism has to do with providing the vital relationship between the believer and Christ

and believers and each other. Sealing signifies ownership and security.”

Robert P Lightner

CONCLUSIONS

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”2 Cor 9:15, NASB

• Thank the Spirit for His works (gifts to us) of– regeneration– identification–preservation