Ephesians 1 tells us that the Holy Spirit was given to first century believers as a pledge or a surety-downpayment which guaranteed that they would receive their promised inheritance. If the generation who received the pledge did not receive the full payment of the pledge before they died, the promise has failed. The doctrine of modern Christians who tell us that for 2000 years, every generation of the Church has received the “pledge”, but has subsequently died without receiving the full payment of the pledge (the inheritance), is a doctrine that should be rejected. Paul’s imagery of the Holy Spirit as pledge for first century Christians demands that they did receive their full inheritance within their lifetime. This is the only position which honours the testimony of inspired scripture. Please think about this….