The arrabon of the Holy Spirit

The Inner Witness Of The Holy Spirit

Paul refers to God's gift of the Holy Spirit given to born again believers as an arrabon  -
a Greek word meaning a deposit, or down-payment, guaranteeing payment in full. It also means an engagement ring given by a bridegroom to his bride as a guarantee of the consummation of the relationship on the day of the wedding.

The 'Born Again' Experience

The "born again" experience of Christians down the centuries is of the infilling and inner witness of the Holy Spirit as Jesus promised in JOHN 7:37-39.

The testimony of countless Christians down the centuries since the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost is that of an artesian well of living water springing up from deep within their inner beings, just as Jesus promised. It is reflected in the words of the famous old chorus: 

"You ask me how I know he lives? He lives within my heart."

Full Assurance

Such a witness from Scripture, from history, from Christ's promises fulfilled, and from the inner witness of the Spirit add up to what the old divines referred to as full assurance of faith.

It is what the writer of HEBREWS 11:1 meant when he wrote that Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we cannot see.

It is a priceless gift from God as Paul notes in EPHESIANS 2:8-10 of incalculable worth to everyone who has had a personal encounter with the Living God through faith in the risen and exalted LORD Jesus Christ.

In 1 JOHN 5:11-13 we read these words: 

"God has testified that he has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life. I have written this to you who put your trust in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life."

For more on knowing you have eternal life, go to THE NEW BIRTH.

For more on what heaven will be like, go to GLIMPSES OF GLORY.

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