Seals were used for various purposes. First, the seal was used by princes and kings and nobles in the time of the Bible as a way of securing it for some future time or for certain readers, only. For example, when Daniel ignored the King’s decree and prayed to God as he had always done in the past, he was thrown into a lion’s den (Daniel 6:16). Before throwing him in the den, the king said to him, “May thy God whom thou serveth continually, rescue you.” Verse 17 explains that a stone was brought in and laid upon the mouth of the den and “the king sealed it with his signet, the signet of his lords, that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.” If someone approached anything with the King’s seal, no one was to tamper with it, and certainly not open it. The highest authority in the land had sealed it and secured it with his personal signet mark. The most common seal was melted wax placed on a scroll that would close it up or seal it.[2] An impression from the ring would identify the authority of the one who bound it.
Another illustration of securing something from tampering is when Jesus was buried in the tomb. A stone was rolled across it entrance and sealed with the seal of Rome. No power should dare open the seal unless it is a power greater than Rome. Of course, a power greater than Rome broke the seal when Jesus came forth from the grave.
The second use of a seal is when used as a sign of authenticity. When Jezebel wrote an official letter, giving all rights of Naboth’s vineyard to Ahab, the letter was sealed (1 Kings 21: 8). This proved that it was a legitimate document from the King, like a royal signature. Once again, the application of this type proves authenticity and anyone thus sealed is an authentic representative of the King.
Another illustration of authenticity is seen when completing a transaction. Jeremiah was told by God to buy a field, not for himself to enjoy but for his descendants who will one day return from the captivity (Jeremiah 32). When Jeremiah bought the land, he sealed the transaction. It is genuine, authentic evidence that the land was bought by Jeremiah.
Similarly, a seal could be used to mark ownership like a brand would, today. Shepherds may mark their flocks to distinguish their own from those of others. True Christians are marked as God’s possession. This mark of ownership is presented in John’s Revelation of Jesus Christ, the Lamb that turned Lion of the tribe of Judah. Some had the mark of the beast, while others were sealed with the blood of Christ. That this seal is particularly involved in the meaning of this text is clear from verse 14 that speaks of God’s “own possession.”[3]
All of these uses share at least two common elements. First, the significance of the seal is only as good as the one who sealed it. In each case cited, the highest power in the land placed a seal on something to prove the presence of their hand and involvement. While seals were used by others of inferior rank and power, anyone with less power dare not tamper with it. On the other hand, someone with greater power could break the seal, as in the case of Christ in the book of Revelation. Second, the seal had to be in plain view to provide tangible evidence. If a seal was not visible, it could hardly serve the intended purpose. Further, not just any visible marker was good enough. Any mark or seal that could not be authenticated is of no value. Just like our signatures are our mark of identity, each seal was associated with a particular person and provided the necessary proof of that association. When Paul discussed the collection from the Gentiles being sent to Jews, he called it the seal of their love. In other words, it was proof of their love. The Corinthians were called Paul’s seal of apostleship for the same reason.
Therefore, if the Ephesians had been sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, His powerful presence through earthen vessels was the visible proof of their identity. When the twelve were baptized in the name of Jesus, they began to speak in tongues when Paul laid his hands on them. This was the sign that they had received the gift of the Holy Spirit. This gift was demonstrated by the miraculous powers distributed to the saints as the Spirit willed it. They were God’s seal on the Ephesians. To argue that this was the reception of some non-miraculous indwelling of the Holy Spirit, breaks down the meaning and purpose of the seal. The Holy Spirit placed His seal of ownership on first-century Christians to authenticate and prove that they were His children. If they were not visible proofs, they would be left to interpret a subjective feeling that they were God’s children. Further, New Testament Christians became the temple of the Holy Spirit that indwelt them.