How do you square away Ephesians 1:13-14 13 "In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory."
The word seal in the greek indicates ownership and the full security by the backing of the owner. sealing in the ancient world served as a legal signature which guaranteed the promise of what was sealed. Helps Word Studies.
the greek word for pledge indicates earnest-money, a deposit which guarantees the balance. it represents the full security backed by the purchaser who supplies proof they will fulfill the entire pledge. Helps Word Studies.
From this verse it sure sounds like once a person has placed their faith in Christ, the Holy Spirit is then given as a pledge of the promise of eternal life. Going back to John with the sheep not being lost....it sure sounds like Jesus is saying once we place our faith in Him, we're saved for an eternity.
Reading Ephesians 2:8-9 gives the same indication of security in that God is giving us the gift of faith.
ealgeone:
Placing your faith in him and staying in communion with him. So yes, if one stays in communion with God and never departs from him, he will be saved.
As for Seal, you are correct in the meaning. It is part of the Confirmation Liturgy in the Catholic Tradition where the Bishop lays hands on the head of the person and says “Be Sealed with the Holy Spirit” The Church Fathers used this term to describe the indelible mark put on the person in Baptism. As for the guarantee, you are correct that it draws on the image of pledge or down payment [Gensis 38-17-18]. In the Catholic Tradition and theology, this points to Baptism which is the first installment [to use a similar term and language consistent with pledge or down payment] of the Fullness of God’s life and blessing we hope to possess in heaven. Seal is used again by Paul in 2 Corinthians 1:22. So being incorporated into God’s family via Baptism, we have the first fruits of the Spirit [Romans 8:23]. So receiving the Holy Spirit is the first installment or payment but the full inheritance it not till we are in heaven, and it is still possible for individuals to fall away. Again, presuming God must save me is against the virtue of Hope, as is outright despair, for the record.