M55 Q & A

What are the meanings of the biblical symbols used to describe the Holy Spirit?

The Bible uses several symbols to describe the Holy Spirit. These symbols are not the Holy Spirit Himself; they are simply references to the Holy Spirit’s work in and upon God’s people:

1.      Wind—moving and renewing us (Jn 3:8; Acts 2:2; Ezek 37:9, 10).

2.      Fire—reviving our faith and refining us (Acts 2:3; Isa 4:4).

3.      Water—giving spiritual life and abundance (Jn 7:38, 39; 4:14).

4.      Oil—spreading joy and God’s light (Heb 1:9; Mt 25:4).

5.      Rain—sending blessing impartially and helping fruits grow (Mt 5:45; Zech 10:1; Hos 6:3; 10:12).

6.      Dove—allowing goodness and peace (Mt 3:16, 10:16; Gen 8:11).

7.      Seal—confirming authenticity and guaranteeing quality (Eph 1:13, 14, 4:30; 2 Cor 1:22, 5:5, 6; 2 Tim 2:19).

8.      Sword—used to attack Satan and discern the truth (Eph 6:17; Gen 3:24; Heb 4:12).

9.      Light—reproaching us when we live in sin and reminding us to live in the truth (Eph 1:18, 5:13, 14).

What blessings does the Holy Spirit give?

Giving spiritual rebirth and renewal. “[U]nless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (Jn 3:5, 6; Ezek 37:14).

Setting a seal of redemption on us. “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise” (Eph 1:13). “[T]he Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Eph 4:30). “God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee” (2 Cor 5:5).

Setting believers free. “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death” (Rom 8:2). “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2 Cor 3:17).

Anointing believers with the Holy Spirit of truth. The Holy Spirit counsels us and gives us wisdom. “[T]he anointing which you received from him abides in you” (1 Jn 2:27). “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you” (Jn 14:26). “He who is spiritual judges all things” (1 Cor 2:15).

Strengthening us spiritually. “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man” (Eph 3:16). “If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you” (1 Pet 4:14).

Having the power to testify. “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me…” (Acts 1:8). “And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (1 Cor 2:4).

Having a fruitful spirituality. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law” (Gal 5:22, 23). “[B]ut we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption…” (Rom 8:23).

Helping us reach the depths of spiritual prayer. “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit” (Jude 20). “Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication” (Eph 6:18). “The Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Rom 8:26). “For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays…” (1 Cor 14:14).

Giving believers spiritual gifts. “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.… But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills (1 Cor 12:4, 11).

Giving comfort. “That you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit ” (Rom 15:13).

Sanctifying us. “But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor 6:11).

Reviving our spiritual life. “[G]ive life to your mortal bodies also through His Spirit which dwells in you” (Rom 8:11).