Church of God, Carmichael, CA
D. O. Teasley, May 15, 1903
[Original Page Numbers]
PA R T I.—THE HOLY SPIRIT
Seal of the Spirit
Many different natural illustrations are used to represent spiritual things. The lily, the rich man, the shepherd, the mountains, the grass of the field, the fowls of the heavens, the sun, the moon and the stars, and numberless other things have been employed by the sacred writers to convey to the mind of man the deep things of the Almighty. In this chapter we shall use the illustration of a seal to convey to the mind of the reader the operation of the Holy Spirit.
As far back as 1727 B.C. we read of the use of seals among the Hebrews. Gen. 38:18. Their seals were generally carried in their rings or bracelets. In 1 Kings we read of the seal of King Ahab, which was stolen by Jezebel, his treacherous wife, and by her used to accomplish the death of innocent Naboth. In Deuteronomy we read, "Is not this laid up in store with me and sealed up among my treasures?" When Daniel was cast into the den of lions a stone was rolled to the mouth of the den; "and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel." When Jesus was laid in the new made tomb of Joseph, we read that they made the sepulcher sure, sealing the stone and setting a watch.
During the medieval period seals were very extensively used, as they were then considered the best proof of the genuineness of all kinds of documents, both public and private. At the present time they are not so extensively used, as we consider the personal signature quite as safe in most cases; however, in the case of public documents they are still in use.
The Lord has made use of the seal since the days of Abraham, and every one whom He receives He seals with the seal of His acceptance. However, He has changed the nature of His seal since the days of Abraham. Abraham was sealed with an outward sign, namely, circumcision (Rom. 4:11), while we are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise." Eph. 1:13. [68]
The seal of circumcision which Abraham received was a type of the seal of the Spirit, hence we are said to be circumcised. "In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ." Col. 2:11. "For he is not a Jew which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God." Romans 2:28, 29.
The sealing of the heart is identical with the purging or cleansing received in sanctification. The Holy Spirit seals no impure heart, so in order of time the cleansing or sanctifying comes first, after which comes the sealing. However, so far as our comprehension of such work going on in our hearts at the time of sanctification is concerned we comprehend only one work, as it is instantaneously wrought by a simple act of faith on our part and an operation of the Spirit on God's part. It is a combined work giving us the cleansing, sealing and indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
In case a document is to be sealed, three things are necessary: (1) a seal, (2) sealing wax, (3) a sealer. In the sealing of our souls unto the day of redemption our hearts become the sealing wax; melted by the fire of the Holy Spirit they become very susceptible to divine impressions. Those who are hardhearted can never hope to be sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise until their hearts are softened and melted by the Holy Spirit fire. As a seal will make very little impression on unmelted wax, so the Holy Spirit, comparatively speaking, can make very little impression on a hardened heart. The Word of God is the seal by which we are sealed by the Holy Spirit, who is the operator, or sealer. At the present time wax is not always used with the seal, but anciently they almost invariably used wax.
When our hearts are melted into perfect submission to God by the fire of eternal truth and the Holy Spirit stamps indelibly on our inner beings the divine nature, with the blood of the everlasting covenant, then is brought to pass the saying, '`I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people." Hebrews 8:10. Also written on the Lord's seal is, "The Lord knoweth them that are his." 2 Tim. 2:19. It is a mystery to some how that the law of God is written in our hearts and minds; [69] but to the spiritual minded it is easily explained. The New Testament is not literally inscribed in our mortal beings, but a disposition to do all it teaches is plainly written in every sanctified heart.
When we are sealed with the Spirit of promise everything we read in the Bible finds a free and hearty amen in our hearts. We can then read: "Depart from all iniquity"; "Awake to righteousness and sin not" (1 Cor. 15:34); "Be not conformed to this world" (Rom. 12:2); "Adorn yourselves in modest apparel" (1 Tim. 2:9); "Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him" (1 Cor. 16:2; "Be content with such things as ye have" (Heb. 13:5); and every other word which proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord, and do them with a glad and willing hears. This is an excellent way to test ourselves to see whether or not we are sealed. A heart sealed with the Holy Spirit, or guided by His influence, gladly and willingly does all the known will of God, and accepts with joy any new light on the Word of God, and humbly walks in the same immediately, and heartily repels all error, fanaticism, and false ways.
DIFFERENT USES OF THE SEAL. (1) It is used to seal a contract, as in the case of Abraham; when God had made a contract with him He gave him circumcision as a seal of that covenant. (2) It is used as a mark of approval or genuineness. (3) It is used to secure treasures; (4) to prevent frauds; (5) to preserve.
In sealing our hearts the Holy Spirit approves of us and seals the everlasting covenant between our souls and God. He securely seals in our hearts the priceless treasure of full salvation and preserves us unto the day of redemption, thus securing us from all frauds
PROOF OF THE SEAL.—The only genuine proof of the seal of the Spirit is an upright and holy life. All profession or testimony without a holy life falls short of the mark, and is utterly useless except it be backed up or substantiated by a pure and holy life.
THE CONTRACT SEALED.—In the following will be found a few of the things agreed upon in the covenant of God with man. Such terms, however, are founded wholly on the mercy and goodness of God, as man by nature merits nothing, nor can he offer anything as a price for salvation. For this reason God bestows His grace freely upon all that meet a few simple conditions, which conditions will be found in the main in the following contract. [71] It would be difficult, however, to formulate a consecration which would fit every case, as some have more light than others. This being the case, some have consecrated to things in justification, which others having no light on will not need to give up until sanctification. The following contract will be found to contain the fundamental principles of consecration, part first agreeing to justification and part second agreeing to sanctification. In a contract {here must be terms to agree upon, two parties to agree upon these terms, two witnesses to witness the contract, and a seal with which to seal the contract.
Solemn and everlasting covenant, entered into this the only day of salvation, between an immortal soul, party of the first part, and the God of heaven, party of the second part.
1. Party of the first part seeing the goodness of party of the second part (Rom. 2:4) determines to repent in sackcloth and ashes, which shall include the following: (a) The renunciation of all sin of every description. (Prov. 28:13.) (b) The forsaking of all unrighteousness and a returning with godly sorrow to party of the second part, from whom party of the first part has unjustly wandered away in sin and wickedness. (Isa. 55:7; 2 Cor. 7:10.) (c) The confessing of every deed ever committed contrary to the will of party of the second part, with a hearty acknowledgment to a lost and undone condition. (1 John 1:9.) (d) The forgiving of every personal trespass ever committed against him by anyone. (Matt. 6:14,15.) (e) The restitution to the extent of ability of everything ever taken by false accusation or robbery. (Ezek. 33:15, 16.)
2. Party of the first part agrees to give all his earthly possessions unreservedly into the hands of party of the second part, to be used or utilized by him at his will.
3. Party of the first part agrees to forsake all earthly friendship and every kindred tie, and to wholly abandon such ties or kinship whenever it is required of him, or whenever such friendship or kindred ties shall in the least conflict with anything required of him by party of the second part; and yet with all this, party of the first part covenants to love and provide for those of his own household. (Matt. 10:37; 1 Tim. 5:8.)
4. Party of the first part agrees to trust party of the second part in darkness as well as in light, in storm as well as in sunshine; and through every changing scene of life, wholly to rely on party of the second part, and own His way is right. To [71]trust where he cannot trace; and when party of the first part knows not where his path shall lead, he solemnly covenants to go at the bidding of the party of the second part and trust His unerring guidance.
5. Party of the first part further agrees never again to disobey or grieve the party of the second part; but to live in humble obedience, to obey without forethought when the will of the party of the second part is known.
6. Party of the first part covenants to have implicit confidence in party of the second part.
7. In view of the foregoing conditions party of the second part agrees to freely forgive party of the first part for every sin ever committed and to cleanse said party of the first part from all acquired defilement. (1 John 1:9.)
8. Party of the second part further agrees to accept party of the first part as His own adopted child (Rom. 8:15), and that the Party of the first part shall receive an inheritance in the unsearchable riches of party of the second part. (Rom. 8:17.)
9. Party of the second part further agrees that party of the first part shall receive an hundredfold in this life; and if the said party of the first part shall continue faithful to the end, life eternal shall be his reward in the world to come. (Luke 18:30.)
1. Party of the first part agrees to be fruitful (John 15:2); to bear the fruit of love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. (Gal. 5:22, 23.)
2. Party of the first part agrees, as has been before stated, to live in obedience to party of the second part and to continue to obey all the precepts and laws that govern the kingdom of party of the second part, known as the New Testament.
3. Party of the first part agrees to present himself a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable to the party of the second part, considering such his reasonable service. (Rom. 12:1.)
4. Party of the first part agrees to knock, that he may be admitted to the fullness of grace; and ask, that he may receive; and to seek, that he may find. (Matt. 7:7.)
5. Party of the first part after asking agrees to have faith in God that he may be sanctified. (Acts 26:18.)
6. Upon meeting the foregoing conditions party of the second part agrees to purge or cleanse party of the first part from all depravity, that the said party of the first part may be more fruitful. (John 15:2.) [72]
7. Party of the second part further agrees to give party of the first part the Holy Spirit to guide the said party of the first part into all truth. (John 16:13.)
8. In addition to the foregoing covenant party of the first part agrees to love God with all his heart and his neighbor as himself, whereupon party of the second part agrees to deed to party of the first part all the land of blessing on the conditions named in the indenture below.
This indenture, made in the evening of the only day of salvation, in the "acceptable year of the Lord," between the aforesaid immortal soul, party of the first part, and the God of the universe, party of the second part.
Witnesseth, that the said party of the second part, for and in consideration of the sum of the blood of Jesus Christ (provided that the party of the first part shall have first made a complete consecration, after living a justified life) freely gives, releases, grants, and commits to the party of the second part, all that certain tract of spiritual land lying in the province of grace, bounded and described as follows; to wit, bounded on the north by the mercy of God; bounded on the south by the love of Christ; bounded on the east by the Sun of righteousness; bounded on the west by the shores of eternity; being completely surrounded by a wall of fire, and having the glory of God in the midst thereof. (Zech. 2:5.)
This land known as "The Land of Canaan," or "The Promised Land," is to be at the disposal of said party of the first part, to have, to explore, and to enjoy so long as life shall last.
Party of the second part further agrees that the aforesaid land shall be "a goodly land," flowing with milk and honey, and abounding in corn and wine. The tree of life is to be in the midst of the land, bringing forth twelve manner of fruits, and yielding fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree are to be for healing. (Rev. 22:2.) The land is to be watered by the river of life, which proceedeth out of the throne of God and the Lamb (Rev. 22:1); and the atmosphere is to be perfumed by the Lily of the Valley and the Rose of Sharon.
This most glorious and ever beautiful land party of the second part agrees to give to party of the first part as a free and unmerited gift, as an everlasting possession. And party of the first Part agrees to live for, and serve, party of the second [73] part, as has been before stated, according to the New Testament. In witness whereof the parties named have set their hands and seal. Dated the day and year first above mentioned.
SIGNED
Two Witnesses. (Rev. 11: 3.) A CONSECRATED SOUL. { Seal }
WORD OF GOD. "I AM THE LORD: THAT IS MY NAME ( Isa. 42:8) {Seal }[74]
HOLY SPIRIT.
The Purpose of the Church of God is to spread and |
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