Before you read: This article is part of a larger series that builds upon itself from the foundation up, with each study building on the last. If something in this article does not make sense to you or if you believe it to be incorrect, please ensure you have read the entire series before passing final judgment. Also, be sure to visit this page’s FAQ And Objections Page
In the last unit, we talked about the different kinds of baptism—water baptism and baptism in the Holy Spirit. Let’s take a quick refresher.
The word baptism means to be immersed in something. Whatever you are immersed in covers you completely.
Water baptism: The water covers your body. Being raised back up represents dying to self and now living a new life in Jesus.
Baptism in the Holy Spirit: This is not just a symbol. It means being immersed in the Spirit of God Himself. The Spirit covers you, gives new life to your soul (once dead in sin), and makes your life His.
Romans 6:3-4
3 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.
When Does the Baptism of the Holy Spirit Happen
Being baptized with the Holy Spirit takes place at the moment of salvation, not later on. You cannot receive Jesus without also receiving His Spirit.
Romans 8:9-10
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. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
Acts 2:38
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Repentance and forgiveness of sins are the only requirements to receive Him. When you are baptized in the name of Jesus—immersed in Him, not water—you immediately receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus Christ Himself!
Sealed by the Holy Spirit
Being baptized in the Spirit doesn’t only mean being covered—it also means being sealed in Him.
2 Corinthians 1:22
22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
Ephesians 4:30
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
A seal is more than just a covering. It represents security, ownership, and authority.
1 Kings 21:8
8 So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters unto the elders and to the nobles that were in his city, dwelling with Naboth.
Esther 8:8
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.
In days gone by, when a king wanted to send a letter, without anyone else being able to read it, he would roll it up and then drip hot wax onto the edges of the paper. Then the king would place his ring into the wax. As the wax dried the paper would be sealed together so that no one could open it without breaking the wax seal.
Since the king’s ring was placed in the wax it left the imprint of his ring. So no one could break the wax seal without destroying that imprint. You would know if it had been opened.
The impression left in the wax was called the seal of the king. So if you are not the one authorized to open it you face consequences if you do. That seal signaled ownership, authenticity, and protection from tampering.
Likewise, when God seals you with His Spirit, His mark is on you. You belong to Him. You are safe in His hands.
We are marked with His seal. His stamp of ownership is on us when the Holy Spirit rests upon us and in us. Without the seal of the Holy Ghost we are not authentically His.
What Does the Seal of the Holy Spirit Protect Us From
The Wrath of God
Revelation 3:10
10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Revelation 7:2-3
2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
God’s wrath is held back until His servants are sealed. Believers are not appointed to suffer His wrath.
In a later unit on prophecy, we will explain what this hour of temptation is. But, just to give you a little teaser, I’ll let you know that it is not the time of the tribulation. In short, this hour of temptation that we are protected from is a time of God’s wrath—one to which we are not appointed.
Satan’s Captivity
2 Timothy 2:19 and 25-26
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.
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
We are sealed from being taken captive by Satan. We now have the help of the Holy Spirit within us to flee from sin. Though our flesh may sin the devil can never claim our soul. And the flesh can be brought under submission.
Demonic Possession
When Jesus had cast out demons He was accused of casting them out by the power of Satan. He let them know it was not by Satan but by God:
Matthew 12:28-29
28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. 29 Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.
Jesus is letting us know that He is stronger than Satan. If a demon wanted to take possession of Gods temple (your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost) that demon would have to overpower God Himself! With the Holy Spirit inside of you this is impossible.
Note I am talking about “possession.” There is a difference between that and an outside attack.
Isolation
John 17:11
11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
There is a unity in the body of Christ which is called the church. This church is not just the local assembly of believers. It is all Christians everywhere who are united in Christ through the seal of the Holy Ghost.
1 Kings 19:14 and 18
14 And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.
Elijah felt alone. But God reminded him that he was not. In the same way you are also protected from actually being alone. Your brothers and sisters may be miles away at times but they are praying for you. No matter the distance between us or the feelings of loneliness we may sometimes have we are always connected through the Spirit of God to fulfill His purposes.
Falling Away
Jude 1:24
24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
He gives us the power to live according to the spirit and deny the lusts of the flesh. We do not have to fall as we run this race. Nevertheless, if we do happen to trip we will not hit the ground. His grace is a safety net.
By His grace we are able to be forgiven which keeps us safe in the presence of God. With that said there is a difference between unintentional falling and intentional jumping. Do not confuse the two. You can not lose salvation unless you choose to.
Living Without Peace
John 14:27
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
The Bible does say that in this world we will have trouble. But, it also says that even in the middle of the storm we can take cheer knowing that He has overcome this world. While there may be sorrow here, there is also a peace in the middle of the sorrow which passes all understanding.
The peace of the world requires there to be no trouble, worry, fear, or sorrow. The peace of God requires none of that. Instead it hinges on understanding that all of those things work together for the good of those who love Him.
You can be at peace in your heart while trouble rages. This is a paradox only the saved understand. It is a different kind of peace.
This is just the beginning.
The Holy Spirit does far more than protect us. He brings power, spiritual gifts, understanding, and guidance. Since the Spirit is God Himself, all that God has is available to us through Him.
In the next few units, we will explore these gifts and powers. Many false teachings exist about the Holy Spirit, but by knowing Him as God, we can grow deeper in truth and in relationship with Him.
Continut To Unit 4:3 – Who Is the Holy Spirit OR
Return To Christianity 101 Unit 4 – The Baptism of the Holy Spirit
carmine d'agostino
José
Barry Brister
Jason Evans
Sherry Cox
Jason Evans