The symbols or signs of the Holy Spirit
The Lord Jesus in the gospels taught us mysteries of the Kingdom through parables, through simple narratives and taken from daily life, Jesus therefore tries to teach us great secrets through simple representations or signsIt does the same for us to know the person and work of the Holy Spirit.
God uses symbols or representations of our natural life to reveal secrets of the spiritual realm, in this case we will study the symbols of the Holy Spirit and their meaning according to the word of God
The symbols of the Holy Spirit and their meaning:
Pardington says: “The word SYMBOL comes from two Greek words: “SUN” which means “fair”, and the word “BALIO” which means: thrown; literally meaning something that has been thrown together with something else, one to the other. side of the other, the one to represent and explain the other”.
In other words, a symbol is a material emblem that shows and reveals and discover a spiritual truth. Then God uses symbols or earthly figures to discover or reveal the powerful and special work of the Holy Spirit.
These symbols or signs of the Holy Spirit are given by God so that we can more easily understand what the language itself cannot explain or express (as well as its names and meanings). Symbols are used to describe the operations Holy Spirit.
1. Fire as a symbol of the Holy Spirit: Matthew 3:11.
“I indeed baptize you in water for repentance; but he who comes after me, whose shoes I am not worthy to wear, he is mightier than I; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire”
Fire teaches us that nature itself heats, illuminates, purifies, tests, produces energy, and generates power. Fire consumes fuel, and refines or purifies that which cannot be consumed.
The Holy Spirit as fire ministers heat to the heart (revival), light to the mind of the believer and empowers him to persevere in the face of all trials and obstacles. It is also a fire that consumes the evil of the human heart.
(I invite you to read: Sermons written to preach).
The Holy Spirit as fire ministers heat to the heart (revival), light to the mind of the believer and empowers him to persevere in the face of all trials and obstacles. It is also a fire that consumes the evil of the human heart.
(I invite you to read: Sermons written to preach).
two. The wind as a symbol of the Spirit of God: John 3:8.
“The wind blows where it wants, and you hear its sound; but you do not know where it comes from, nor where it goes; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
In this case the wind is a symbol or representation of the redemptive work of the Holy Spirit as mysterious, powerful, penetrating, refreshing and life-giving.
It is invisible in its operation and unexpected in its consequences. From the Hebrew and Greek originals, the word “Spirit” can be translated: spirit, wind, or breath. The Holy Spirit is the exhaled breath (breath) of God.
It is invisible in its operation and unexpected in its consequences. From the Hebrew and Greek originals, the word “Spirit” can be translated: spirit, wind, or breath. The Holy Spirit is the exhaled breath (breath) of God.
God’s word teaches us that without the constant renewing and quickening of the life-giving Spirit, the believer could not survive. Ezekiel 37.7-10 tells us
“I prophesied, then, as I was commanded; and there was a noise while I prophesied…. and the bones and sinews came together and the flesh came up and there was skin on them… And he said to me: Prophesy to the spirit and say : Spirit, come from the four winds, and blow on these dead, and they will live. And I prophesied and breath entered into them, and they lived… an extremely great army.”
Also to the patriarch Job he said: “The Spirit of God made me, and the breath of the Almighty gave me life” Job 33.4. So the work of the Holy Spirit as wind is to bring life and renewal.
“I prophesied, then, as I was commanded; and there was a noise while I prophesied…. and the bones and sinews came together and the flesh came up and there was skin on them… And he said to me: Prophesy to the spirit and say : Spirit, come from the four winds, and blow on these dead, and they will live. And I prophesied and breath entered into them, and they lived… an extremely great army.”
Also to the patriarch Job he said: “The Spirit of God made me, and the breath of the Almighty gave me life” Job 33.4. So the work of the Holy Spirit as wind is to bring life and renewal.
3. Water as a symbol of the Holy Spirit: John 7:37-39.
“Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture says, rivers of living water will flow from within him. This he said of the Spirit, which those who believed in him were to receive; for the Holy Spirit had not yet come, because Jesus had not yet been glorified.
As we can see, the power of the Holy Spirit does in the spiritual realm what water does in the material order. Water purifies, refreshes, quenches thirst and turns the barren field into fruitful land.
The water washes or cleanses what is stained and restores cleanliness; it is a very fitting symbol of divine grace that not only cleanses the soul but adds beauty and brilliance to it.
As biology teaches us, water is an essential element of physical life, and the Holy Spirit is fundamental and indispensable for spiritual life.
The Holy Spirit cleanses from sinful habits, and serves as a fountain that produces rivers of holiness, and renewal that satisfies the need of the son of God on earth.
The water washes or cleanses what is stained and restores cleanliness; it is a very fitting symbol of divine grace that not only cleanses the soul but adds beauty and brilliance to it.
As biology teaches us, water is an essential element of physical life, and the Holy Spirit is fundamental and indispensable for spiritual life.
The Holy Spirit cleanses from sinful habits, and serves as a fountain that produces rivers of holiness, and renewal that satisfies the need of the son of God on earth.
“Living water” is the water in contrast to the stagnant waters of cisterns or swamps; It is a water that jumps in gushes. Living water is a symbol of the work of the Holy Spirit generating life, cleanliness, strength, among others.
Four. The seal as a symbol of the Spirit of God: Ephesians 1:13.
“In him you also, having heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and having believed in him, were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise”
We must also take into account biblical texts such as Ephesians 4.30 “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption”, and 2nd Corinthians 1.22 “which has sealed us, and has given us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
The seal is placed on a thing of value and implies and denotes a completed transaction, as well as something that is genuine, unchangeable, and of great value.
In Bible times the seal proved ownership and gave authority, and promised security. That is why we read in Daniel 6:17 “And a stone was brought and placed over the door of the moat, which the king sealed with his ring and with the ring of his princes, so that the agreement about Daniel might not be altered”.
The Spirit Himself is the seal that God the Father places on the believer’s heart to assure him of the certainty of a complete transaction.
(We invite you to read: God brings the best for your life. ).
The seal is placed on a thing of value and implies and denotes a completed transaction, as well as something that is genuine, unchangeable, and of great value.
In Bible times the seal proved ownership and gave authority, and promised security. That is why we read in Daniel 6:17 “And a stone was brought and placed over the door of the moat, which the king sealed with his ring and with the ring of his princes, so that the agreement about Daniel might not be altered”.
The Spirit Himself is the seal that God the Father places on the believer’s heart to assure him of the certainty of a complete transaction.
(We invite you to read: God brings the best for your life. ).
5. Oil as a sign of the Holy Spirit: Luke 4:18; Hebrews 1:9.
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me…”
“You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness, for which God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness more than your companions.”
“You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness, for which God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness more than your companions.”
In Bible times, anointing oil was used primarily to cleanse, soothe, and relax; and for beauty as a by-product. Many of the Old Testament rituals required the use of oil, and in a solemn anointing ceremony, kings, prophets, and priests were set apart for their divine calling.
Also in those times (and perhaps today too) the shepherd took oil to apply to his sheep and prevent flies from laying their eggs in his eyes or nose; They also used the oil to apply it to wounds caused by thorny bushes, for example.
Also in those times (and perhaps today too) the shepherd took oil to apply to his sheep and prevent flies from laying their eggs in his eyes or nose; They also used the oil to apply it to wounds caused by thorny bushes, for example.
The anointed believer of the New Testament represents the royal priesthood, 1 Peter 2.9, because by virtue of the anointing of the Spirit, each believer is both priest and king. As oil, the Spirit is seen not only in anointing but also in sustaining (oil is food), providing light, healing, and restoring.
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6. The dove as a symbol of the Spirit of God: Matthew 3:16.
“And Jesus, after he was baptized, went up immediately out of the water; And behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him.”
God’s interest in this event is evident from the fact that it is recorded in all four gospels. A Jewish tradition translates Genesis 1.2. in the following way: “The Spirit of God like a dove sheltered the beam of the waters”.
The characteristics of the dove are: gentle, tender, graceful, innocent, soft, peaceful, pure, patient, easily upset or frightened, and faithful.
The characteristics of the dove are: gentle, tender, graceful, innocent, soft, peaceful, pure, patient, easily upset or frightened, and faithful.
The fact that the Holy Spirit is represented as a dove indicates that He never demands nor does he force his own; He works by gentle directives or persuasions.
Christ instructed believers to be “simple as doves”, Matthew 10.16. To have the Holy Spirit dwelling within as a dove is to know that one is at peace with God, for we have been justified in Christ.
The Holy Spirit manifested as a dove, reminds us of the importance of his presence in us, in that work in which he transforms our strong character into a kind one, like that of the Lord Jesus.
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Christ instructed believers to be “simple as doves”, Matthew 10.16. To have the Holy Spirit dwelling within as a dove is to know that one is at peace with God, for we have been justified in Christ.
The Holy Spirit manifested as a dove, reminds us of the importance of his presence in us, in that work in which he transforms our strong character into a kind one, like that of the Lord Jesus.
SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE and receive the devotionals in your e-mail, CLICK HERE
7. Wine, another symbol of the Holy Spirit in the Bible, Acts 2:4, 12-13; Ephesians 5:18.
“And they were all astonished and perplexed, saying to one another: What does this mean? But others, mocking, said: They are full of wine.
“Don’t you get drunk with wine, in which there is dissolution; rather be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
“Don’t you get drunk with wine, in which there is dissolution; rather be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Wine is a symbol or representation of joy, Psalm 104.15; an ingredient of worship, Joel 1.10; and a complement of bread, Judges 19.19.
The wine of the Holy Spirit is the Divine spiritual stimulation that Satan seeks to counterfeit through the stimulation of alcohol.
Wine is that which loosens restrictions and inhibitions, gives boldness and produces an abundance of words. The work of Kingdom requires vigorous workers, enthusiastic and stimulated, for a more effective performance of work. The expression of the observers on the day of Pentecost was cynical: Acts 2.13.
It was in the vigor and encouragement of this kind of relationship with the Holy Spirit as the apostles proclaimed the Gospel message on that day and saw three thousand souls added to the Church. It takes the power and boldness that the Holy Spirit gives us to preach his word.
It was in the vigor and encouragement of this kind of relationship with the Holy Spirit as the apostles proclaimed the Gospel message on that day and saw three thousand souls added to the Church. It takes the power and boldness that the Holy Spirit gives us to preach his word.
Prayer: Lord every day fill me more with your Holy Spirit, help me understand everything you have given me, and how much you want me to walk in that truth. Beloved Holy Spirit, I want to know you more every day and be guided by you. Thank you Lord for making me a temple of your Spirit. Amen.
(The symbols of the Holy Spirit and their meaning. Written by Pastor Gonzalo Sanabria).
(I invite you to read: Sermons written to preach).
(The symbols of the Holy Spirit and their meaning. Written by Pastor Gonzalo Sanabria).
(I invite you to read: Sermons written to preach).
It is very important to identify the move of the Spirit of God.
Many times we make the mistake of pointing out other people’s flaws, but we must ask ourselves, how often do we recognize our own mistakes?
The Lord Jesus wants to transform our hearts more and more, by his grace we are now his children, called to grow, and one facet of that growth is precisely knowing more about the Holy Spirit of God. He is our Comforter, one who is by our side to teach us and direct our lives…
The Lord Jesus wants to transform our hearts more and more, by his grace we are now his children, called to grow, and one facet of that growth is precisely knowing more about the Holy Spirit of God. He is our Comforter, one who is by our side to teach us and direct our lives…
a) Every day we must try to know more about the Holy Spirit….