Ink stamps mark documents… the ones above with German names look like an office set. The Gebucht one could be for stamping ‘entered’ on invoices. The Fur lhre Akten stamp could be for printing, ‘for your files’ on client’s copies.

Historically stamps were used to validate articles. Kings and other nobles would have a signet ring which could be used to certify deeds and other documents by leaving an imprinted mark. Today stamps and other means of marking things are still used to signify their approval by persons in positions of authority.

It seems logical in a Christian context, that we should have some signifying stamp to verify that we are believers. The Bible tells us that we are sealed with the Holy Spirit… it is God’s way of indicating we have put our faith in Jesus.

But what I find really interesting, is the fact that Jesus is the one who seals us. Life is all about commitment and the Lord is reminding us that we belong to him, we are his property. Now that’s pretty important because we can know that Jesus is for us, he is not against us… that seal is God’s stamp of approval.

There is a very graphic incident in the early days of the Christian church. Peter the apostle was shown by God that the Gospel of salvation was for everyone, not just for the Jews. God guided Peter to the house of a certain soldier named Cornelius who had gathered his non-Jewish family and friends to hear what he had to say. As he shared the good news of forgiveness the Holy Spirit came upon the gathering causing them to start praising God and to begin speaking in tongues. It was in fact, Jesus giving them God’s Holy Spirit stamp of approval.

As we read our Bibles, we are reminded that John the Baptist said, “… I baptise you with water, but one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire”. (Luke 3:16). It is significant that it is the Lord Jesus himself who baptizes us. It is God’s way of marking us… a stamp of eternal approval!

Ref. Acts 11:15-18, Eph. 1:13-14. NIV.

To introduce this special and wonderful subject this photo may seem a little unusual. Stamps have various uses, but they all signify something… if you speak German you will realise that these are office stamps. Perhaps an Accountant would use the Gebucht stamp to indicate an invoice… ‘posted’ in the ledger or stamp a clients document with the Fur lhre Akten stamp… ‘for your files’.