Outline of Ephesians 1:3-14

Verses v. 3-6 v. 7-12 v. 13-14

Person Emphasized

God the Father

God the Son

God the Holy Spirit

Timeframe Emphasized

Past tense Present benefit

Future glory

Part of Redemption Emphasized

Planned Purchased Preserved

Key Question: can truly saved believers, because of their imperfections and many temptations and sins that overtake them, fall away and lose salvation? Answer: ‘True believers, by reason of the unchangeable love of God, (Jer. 31:3) and His decree and covenant to give them perseverance, (2 Tim. 2:19, Heb. 13:20–21, 2 Sam. 23:5) their inseparable union with Christ, (1 Cor. 1:8–9) His continual intercession for them, (Heb. 7:25, Luke 22:32) and the Spirit and seed of God abiding in them, (1 John 3:9, 1 John 2:27) can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, (Jer. 32:40, John 10:28) but are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. (1 Pet. 1:5)’ -Westminster Larger Catechism (published 1647, Q.79)

• Who is “sealed with the Holy Spirit?” (v. 13)

• What does it mean to be “sealed with the Holy Spirit”? (v. 13)

• Where is the Spirit promised to be demonstrated within believers? (v. 13)

• When is the inheritance guaranteed? (v. 14a)

• Why does the Holy Spirit do all this? (v. 14b)

• How should this impact me? (v. 15, following)

“Believe / Belief / Faith” in NT Language

Noun form: “moral conviction … especially reliance upon Christ for salvation … constancy in such profession … faith, fidelity.”

Verb form: “to entrust (especially one’s spiritual well-being to Christ):- believe(-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.”

-Strong’s Greek Dictionary, #4100 and 4102

Seal dated to around 600 B.C., including the phrase “belonging to” and the name of the owner

Seal impressions used to officially stamp to indicate clearly who owned the vessels or objects

2 Tim. 2:19 “The solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are His …’” (this context urges us to be a vessel useful to our Master, v. 20-22)

This seal impression of the steward of Jehoiakim (c. 597 b.c.) is a typical seal on a jar handle.

Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible, p. 1103.

Logs marked with the seal of the one who purchased them (new owner) would be floated through the port of Ephesus en route to their final destination

The Temple of Diana in Ephesus had external markings or seals for her “dwelling.” Paul tells believers of the inward mark and seal we have:

1 Cor. 6:19 “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.”

Engraved stamp-style seals

Scarab seal – pierced style could be worn as a ring

Close-up of seal used to secure letters or scrolls or contracts

A sealed contract from Elephantine, Egypt.

In order to prevent unauthorized eyes from reading a papyrus scroll text, it was folded and tied with a string. A clump of clay put on the end of the string was then stamped with a seal. Whoever wanted to read the text had first to break the stamped seals.(Rev 5:1–2, 5:5, 5:9; 6:1; 7:2; 9:4; 20:3)

The promised work of the Holy Spirit

• OT Promise of Holy Spirit (Ezekiel 36:26-27)

• NT Promises of Holy Spirit’s work:

Convicts of sin (John 16:7-8)

Regenerates (John 6:63, 1 Cor. 12:3, Titus 3:5)

Illuminates (John 16:13-15)

Brings comfort (John 14:16-18)

Sanctifies (1 Peter 1:2, Romans 15:16)