THE VARIOUS SYMBOLS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!

As we begin the series on THE PERSONALITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, we want to first of all look at “THE VARIOUS SYMBOLS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!”  

The Scripture tells us that there are three Persons in one God (Gen. 1:1-3; Matt. 28:18-19; Lk. 3:21-23; 1 Jn. 5:7). It is possible that you know so much about God the Father and God the Son, but so little about God the Holy Spirit.

Today, I want to introduce to you the most exciting Person of the Trinity - the Holy Spirit. Many people in the church today are very dry (impotent, unfruitful and useless) because they lack the knowledge of the Person of the Holy Spirit.

David prayed saying, “Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me” (Ps. 51:11).

Why is the knowledge of the Holy Spirit so important? Many people in the church today are very dry (impotent, unfruitful and useless) because they lack the knowledge of the Person of the Holy Spirit.

The knowledge of the Holy Spirit is so important because anything you do without total dependence on the Holy Spirit is flesh, and is unacceptable to God the Father.

If you don’t know the Person of the Holy Spirit, you cannot profit from Him. Also doing anything without total dependence on the Holy Spirit is called self-righteousness.

God said, “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit…” (Zech. 4:6).

“…for by strength shall no man prevail” (1 Sam. 2:9).

There are many descriptions of the Holy Spirit in the Bible but the most important thing to note is that He is a Person.

When you see the Spirit, you see the form of a man but without a physical body.

God the Father said, “Let us make man in our own image and in our likeness...” (Gen. 1:26).

Just as you have a unique personality, so does the Holy Spirit. There are characteristics ascribed to Him that only a person (that is, a being with intellect – mental ability; ability to think, reason and understand, emotion and will) can possess. Not only does He have the ability to think, communicate, and express His love, He is also easily wounded by our careless words and actions.

In many places in the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit is referred to as a Person. However, many other symbols are used to represent Him. These symbols help us to understand the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit. Such symbols include the following:

1. The Dove (Matt. 3:16). The first reference to the Holy Spirit in the Bible implies the symbol of a dove in connection with the Holy Spirit.

“And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved (hovered, brooded is depictive of a bird) upon the face of the waters” (Gen. 1:2).

And John bare record, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven (in a bodily shape) like a dove, and it abode upon Him” (Jn. 1:32).

The natural attributes of a dove make it a fitting symbol for the Holy Spirit.

a) The dove is associated with gentleness (not harmful) (Matt. 10:16).

b) The dove is absolutely faithful in love (SOS 1:15).

c) The dove is a symbol of purity.

d) The dove is a symbol of peace.

2. Living Water (Jn. 7:37-39). The Holy Spirit is not water; He is a Person although one of the ways He manifests Himself is like water. The belly here represents ‘the innermost being or spirit of a person.

How is water like the Holy Spirit? Water is like the Holy Spirit because it fills up our body just like the Holy Spirit fills up our spirit-man.

Water washes and cleanses our body from every stain of dirt, and that is how the Holy Spirit cleanses our spirit-man from every stain of sin.

3. FIRE (Heb. 12:29; Ex. 19:18; Mal. 3:1-3; Acts 2:3). The Scriptures use fire as a symbol of the Holy Spirit.

Fire consumes wood, hay and stubble (1 Cor. 3:12-15). That is how the Holy Spirit consumes every chaff in your life.

Fire purifies. Fire symbolizes God’s purifying presence, which burns away the undesirable elements in our lives and sets our hearts aflame to ignite the lives of others (Isa. 6:7; Mal 3:1-3).

Fire is the symbol of the power and the presence of God. The Holy Spirit takes us through trials that bring out the best in us (1 Pet. 1:7). Job said, “But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10).

Fire causes things to become hot and even melt (Isa. 64:1-2).

Fire illuminates the obscure and gives light to our path (Ps. 78:14).

On Mount Sinai, God confirmed the validity of the Old Testament law with fire from Heaven (Ex. 19:18).

At Pentecost, God confirmed the validity of the ministry of the Holy Spirit by sending fire (Acts 2:1-4).

How is fire like the Holy Spirit? Fire is like the Holy Spirit because it warms and comforts us like the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:3).

Here is the point. At Mount Sinai, fire came down on one place, but at Pentecost, fire came down on many believers, symbolizing that God’s presence is available to all who believe in Jesus Christ.  

In the New Testament the Holy Spirit appeared unto people in cloven tongues of fire (acts 2:3). Why tongues of fire? Tongues symbolize speech and the communication of the Good News.

4. WIND (Jn. 3:8; Acts 2:2; Isa. 40:7). This symbol emphasizes the fact that the Holy Spirit is the life-giver who breaths on us the breath of God. It underscores the fact that the Holy Spirit is invisible as a person, yet the effect of His work can be plainly seen.

How is the wind like the Holy Spirit? The wind is like the Holy Spirit because we cannot see it but we can feel it. We can’t see the Holy Spirit but we can feel Him within us. The wind keeps us calm and refreshed like the Holy Spirit.

5. OIL (Ps. 45:7; 92:10). This symbol emphasizes the consecration and enablement of the Holy Spirit’s anointing grace, the illumination of His teaching and the soothing balm of healing that comes from His touch.

6. Rain, Water, Fountain, Spring (Ps. 72:6; Isa. 44:3). This symbol emphasizes the life-giving flow of the Holy Spirit that refreshes and satisfies. It also highlights the Holy Spirit’s ministry of washing, cleansing, and producing fruitfulness in our lives.

Zechariah 10:1 says, “Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them SHOWERS of rain, to everyone grass in the field.”

The former rain speaks of every anointing before Pentecost. But everything from Pentecost till now speaks of the latter rain (anointing). We are now living in the time of the latter rain.

So God’s promise of rain was also a promise of rich harvests, prosperity, and joy. When there was poor rainfall, the natural result was famine and poverty. Thus, to maintain peace and prosperity, we are urged to be in constant touch with God through PRAYER.

The sense of this passage is that when men ask for something from God, He not only gives them what they ask for, He gives far more than they ever dreamed He would (Eph. 3:20).

Joel 2:23-26 says, “Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for He hath given you the former rain moderately, and He will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month....”

7. A Voice (Isa. 6:8).

8. Wine. Others mocking said, “These men are full of new wine” (Acts 2:13). This symbol emphasizes the change that takes place in the life of a believer that is filled with the Holy Spirit.

9. Earnest or Guarantee (Eph. 1:14; 2 Cor. 1:22). This symbol emphasizes that the Holy Spirit dwelling within us is only a portion of all that God has for us in eternity when He brings us into the realization of His full redemption and eternal inheritance. Guarantee literally means “deposit,” down payment, or first installment.

10. A SEAL (Eph. 1:13-14). A seal is anything that serves as a confirmation. A seal is an emblem used as evidence of authenticity. This symbol emphasizes the work of the Holy Spirit in confirming our place in the family of God and that the Holy Spirit is God’s stamp of authenticity upon you that you are indeed His property. The Holy Spirit is:

a) God’s way of authenticating us as a genuine part of His family.

b) God’s indication or signature on the covenant that has been given to us (2 Cor. 1:21-23).

c) God’s assurance that even as a book is sealed and cannot be opened until the proper time by the proper person, so we are sealed by the Holy Spirit unto the day of redemption (Eph. 4:30).

d) God’s sign that we are His official representatives on earth with the power and authority to use His name (Mk. 16:17-18).

e) God’s mark of ownership upon our lives. He is the potter we are the clay (Isa. 64:8). We are the work of His hands (Ps. 8:3-5).

Knowing the Person of the Holy Spirit is a must for everyone who wants to succeed in life. I challenge you to get to know Him better and make Him your senior partner and your life will never remain the same again.

Watch out for the next edition of Good News from the Pulpit!

• Your friend: I. I. MADUBUNYI (Senior Pastor)                11.05. 2018