We have already emphasized the irrevocable nature of God’s plan and promises that elicit thoughts of hope and assurance. His promises are as good as done. On the one hand, Peter, speaking by the Holy Spirit, told those Jews on Pentecost to “repent, and be baptized for the remission of sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” On the other hand, Paul follows the same pattern of teaching with the Gentiles that he teaches among the Jews. The Ephesians had heard the word of truth, believed and were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise (cf. Acts 1:4, Galatians 3:14). Consider the chart below to study the parallel passages.
| RESPONSE TO THE GOSPEL | GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT | |
| PETER | Repent & Be Baptized…. | …will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit |
| PAUL | Heard the gospel & Believed | …sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise |
In the case of the Jews, it was a promise that would be fulfilled in the future and upon obedience to Peter’s command. In this context regarding the Gentiles, they had already believed and received the promise. Yet, both follow the same pattern of obedience and promise (cf. Acts 19:2).
Ephesians 1: 3-11 discusses how God chose Israel, predestinated them to adoption, redemption, and became the vessels through whom salvation came into the world. The personal pronouns in verses 3-11 are significant because it distinguishes the “we” from the “you” as participants. The Gentiles are being added to the promise of the inheritance. So, verses 12-13 starts with the Jews who first trusted in God and adds, “you also (Gentiles) were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.”
What we know of the Ephesians is taken from this letter and Luke’s history of Paul’s work among them as recorded in Acts 19. Luke reveals that when he arrived in Ephesus, he meets twelve disciples whom he asked, ‘Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?’ They had not heard that the Holy Spirit was to be given. After Paul taught them the purpose of John’s baptism and the promise of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, they were baptized into the name of Jesus. This same pattern seen in Peter’s teaching in Acts 2:38-39. After the twelve were baptized, Paul laid his hands on them and they received the miraculous measure of the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues. They were sealed with the Holy Spirit at that point. It was visible evidence that the Holy Spirit was the power behind them. This miraculous impartation of power was the seal that gave evidence that they were His children. In other words, it was the guarantee of their inheritance.
Paul speaks of the war occurring in the heavenlies in his letter to the Ephesisans. Yet, a visible demonstration of the war is seen in the first century because miraculous powers characterized the last days. To counter the work of Jesus Christ, and His disciples after the coming of the Holy Spirit, Satan had the power to take possession of someone (demon possession). The showdown was concerned about the power of possession. On the one hand, demons could possess a human body. On the other hand, the incarnation of Jesus was a demonstration of deity indwelling a body. Then, when Jesus assended up on high, he gave gifts unto men (Eph. 4:8), i.e., he empowerd his people (the ekklesia) to strengthen one another and go to war against the powers of Satan. This demonstration of God’s power through His children was his seal of possession.
Ephesians 4:8 describes it with the following words,
Therefore it says, “When He ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives, And He gave gifts unto men.”
The gifts are listed in verse 11 as Jesus empowers his people to war against principalities and powers in the heavenly places (…..). They are sealed, not with wax but with the Holy Spirit, who provided a visible demonstration of divine power.