The Indwelling Spirit

The "Indwelling" of the Spirit
The greatest difference in the Bible "before Christ" the Spirit was upon the people, and, "after Christ" the Spirit is the indwelling of every Christian. Even in the time that Jesus lived, "the Spirit had not been given because Jesus had not yet entered into his Glory" Jn.7:37. The Holy Spirit is always all over, like the air we breathe, He makes "His home" in every Christian.

"But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father........ he shall testify of me." Jhn.15:26.
"...the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things...." Jhn.14:26.

The "Seal" with the Spirit
We were "sealed" or "marked" with the Holy Spirit, mentioned three times, Eph.1:13,4:30, 2Cor.1:22.
The "seal" is for "security," like when Pilate put the seal on the tomb of Jesus for security, nobody could open it, Mt. 27:65,66.
It is a most thrilling thought, When we were sealed with the Holy Spirit, we were secured in Christ. And the "seal" is also a "mark of ownership," like when Jeremiah bought a property and the document was sealed, he was now the owner, Jer.32:10.

The "Pledge" of the Spirit
God gave us the Spirit in our hearts as "a pledge of what we shall receive, as "a first installment," mentioned three times, 2Cor.1:22,5:5,Eph.1:14.
It was a down payment that sealed a bargain. It represents an obligation to pay the whole price at the convened time, a "guarantee." The presence of the Holy Spirit in us shows an obligation of God to redeem us completely, guaranteeing our inheritance until the future brings the total redemption of those who are God's possession. It is a foretaste, a sample, of our coming life and inheritance through Christ.

This pledge is part of a payment and secures the full sum. The Spirit's sanctification on earth is a pledge of perfect holiness. The Spirit's illumination is a pledge of everlasting full light. His comforts are a pledge of everlasting full joys.

The "Witness" of the Spirit
The Holy Spirit is also our witness within, assuring us of the reality of our salvation in Christ Jesus, Heb.10:14-18.
"The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God," Rom.8:16,Gal.4:6-7. Only with the powers of Spirit we can realize and live the fact that God is our Father, and only with the Spirit we can proclaim "Jesus is Lord," 1Cor.12:3.