*(note: much confusion comes from the translated and interpreted Greek texts. To clarify I will quote the English as written and then offer a translation that is closer to the Greek without denominational interpretations).* ### Sealed upon rebirth The Holy Spirit seals those who believe in Jesus Christ and are saved. > *“ “Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and **that which is born of the Spirit is spirit**. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’” John 3:5-7* It’s at this point that a person is born again of the Spirit and receive a new spirit which is the rebirthing experience. This however is not the time the Spirit is received, rather the Greek reads it’s the time when the seal which the Spirit places on the new believer occurs. A seal of approval for purchase and the believer will be redeemed (picked-up) in the end. > *“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, **were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit**, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.”* Ephesians 1:13-14 This text is confusing because the translation has done a lot of interpreting to the text but in an effort to help the reader they have misled the reader. It should read something closer to, *... those who believe were sealed as was the sacred promise, by the Spirit, this seal is the guarantee of their inheritance.* It’s not the Holy Spirit that is the guarantee but the seal that the Holy Spirit places on the born again believer. This is proven later in Ephesians when it reads that the Holy Spirit is the sealer but not the seal, by whom and not with whom > “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, **by whom** you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30 Paul in a different epistle writes the following > *“and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” 2 Corinthians 1:22* Once again the Greek’s translation has too much interpretation but at a minimum this passage shows that the seal is separate to the Holy Spirit even in the English. How the Greek should be translated in my mind is the following *“...and who has also put his seal on us and having given the deposit OF THE SPIRIT in our hearts.* This will clarify the text that says > “for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Acts 8:16 Once again the text is translated with interpretation. It should read *... the Holy Spirit had not fallen on any of them, but/except they were baptized in Jesus’ name. Or phrased differently at a minimum they had been baptized in Jesus’ name however they had not yet received the Holy Spirit.”* Later we find that others are baptized in Jesus’ name and also receive the Holy Spirit, meaning that baptizing in Jesus’ Name is not incorrect but baptizing in Jesus’ Name without receiving of the Holy Spirit means the baptized was only water baptized and not filled with the Spirit until the laying on of hands in the impartation of the Holy Spirit occurs. > *“On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. **And** when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.” Acts 19:5-6* Granted it’s possible to receive the Holy Spirit even prior to water baptism as in the case of Cornelius mentioned later. ### Fullness of the Holy Spirit Being full of the Holy Spirit is to be led by the Spirit or to be obedient to the Spirit. This is in contra distinction to being led by another spirit or under the influence of another, even under the influence of substances (which open the door to unclean spirits) that alter ones ability to make sound judgment such as alcohol and/or drugs Ephesians 5:18 Not all those who are sealed by the Holy Spirit are also full of the Spirit. Though it’s possible to be sealed and filled simultaneously with water baptism to follow. This is what happened with Cornelius. > “While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.” Acts 10:44-45 It’s important not to conflate the gift of the Holy Spirit with the Holy Spirit. Yes the Holy Spirit fell on those who heard the gospel and yes they were filled with the Holy Spirit but the gift of the Holy Spirit was the speaking in tongues evident by its manifestation. > “For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared,” Acts 10:46 The gift was the speaking in tongues. And there are many gifts but in this case it was speaking in tongues. > *“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;” 1 Corinthians 12:4* ### Receiving power to witness Receiving power to witness is a gift and this is explicitly stated by Jesus. Also noteworthy is that Jesus didn’t say they would receive the Holy Spirit. They already received the Holy Spirit. > *“And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:22* As such the disciples had already received the Holy Spirit. What they had NOT received however was baptism of the Holy Spirit. As such receiving the Holy Spirit or being filled with the Holy Spirit is different from being baptized with the Holy Spirit. > *“And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but **you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit** not many days from now.”” Acts 1:4-5* And the purpose of the baptism of the Holy Spirit was not to receive the Holy Spirit, even though by definition they were immersing/submerging/surrounding themselves in the Holy Spirit but Jesus Himself tells them what they were in fact receiving > *“But **you will receive power** when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”” Acts 1:8* They would receive POWER or supernatural abilities, for the PURPOSE of witnessing about Jesus Christ to the unbelievers. This was the same thing/power (same Greek word) that Jesus was immersed in after the 40 day wilderness experience > *“And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country.” Luke 4:14* Jesus was already full of the Holy Spirit. And being led by the Holy Spirit. The miracles happen after Jesus returns in the power of the Holy Spirit not prior. The filling is for leading, the baptism is for signs and wonders. > *“And Jesus, **full of the Holy Spirit**, returned from the Jordan and was **led by the Spirit** in the wilderness” Luke 4:1* The baptism of the Holy Spirit is higher in “intensity” from merely being full of the Holy Spirit. It is supposed to be followed by supernatural manifestations FOR the purpose of witnessing about Jesus Christ and/or judgment. If it’s for personal edification it’s sufficient to be full of the Holy Spirit. But a sign that you have been called to witness with signs and wonders accompanying the preaching of the gospel is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. We know Philip was full of the Holy Spirit but he was also baptized with the Holy Spirit because it can be inferred from the text > “And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, **when they heard him and saw the signs that he did**.” Acts 8:6 ### Summation - The Holy Spirit seals the believer with a seal, not with Himself - The Holy Spirit fills a believer for ministering to others, and for leading a believer - The Holy Spirit can engulf a believer such that they are immersed in the Holy Spirit, this is the baptism of the Holy Spirit - The Holy Spirit gives gifts during the filling and/or baptism