Symbols Of The Holy Spirit

The Bible uses many names and symbols of the Holy Spirit, including biblical numbers, when speaking of the Holy Spirit and other scriptural facts.

By examining the names and symbols of the Holy Spirit and what they mean, we learn about His characteristics and traits, as well as the relationship between Him and children of God.

Each of these symbolic representation has to do with a particular office and title of the Holy Spirit.

In the sermon, we will explore the names and biblical symbols of the Holy Spirit, understand their spiritual meaning and how they relate to Christian faith.

Introduction: Symbols Of The Holy Spirit – Names, Titles & Their Meanings

The Holy Spirit symbols and names emphasizes the essential moral character of the Holy Spirit personality. He is Holy in Himself. (1 Thes. 4:7, 8: v7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. v8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his Holy Spirit.”)

The name appears seven times as the Holy Spirit and 90 times as the Holy Ghost in the King James Version of the Bible.

He therefore impacts Holiness and righteousness to others.

The Holy Spirit also fills believers, and this infilling is the power that brings holiness and purity to believers. (Luke 11:13: If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children; how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?)

Before we delve into the symbols of the Holy Spirit, we will firstly look at His names and titles. So, the following are important names of the Holy Spirit:

Names Of The Holy Spirit

The followings represent the tittles and names of the Holy Spirit:

The Spirit Of Truth

This name appears four times in the King James Version of the Bible. John 14:17, 15:26, 16:13, 1 John 4:6. “Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him, but ye know him, for he dewelleth with you, and shall be in you” John 14:17.

He is called the Spirit of Truth because it is impossible for Him to lie or be in error. His ministry has its foundation squarely on the truth of God’s word since He is its Author.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction for instruction in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16. He will not lead or direct contrary to what the scriptures teach and say. This is why the Bible is known as “The sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6: 17)

The Spirit Of God

The Bible refers to the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of God because He accomplishes His will through Him. As written in Genesis 1:2, “The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.”

“And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby we are sealed unto the day of redemption” Eph 4: 30

The phrase "Spirit of God" appears 26 times in the King James Version.

The Spirit Of Christ

This name brings out the relation of the Spirit to Christ as well as to the Father. It appears only 2 times in the Bible (King James). Romans 8: 9 and 1 Peter 1: 11

“Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” Romans 8: 9.

So, we recognize the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Christ because Jesus, having received Him from the Father, poured Him out upon the believers.r (Acts 2:33).

The Comforter

People also call the Holy Spirit the Comforter, a name that reflects His endless mercy. It means that someone calls us to their side or that someone is always ready to stand by us and take our part.

The Paracletor or Comforter gives solace and stands by the side of anyone in difficulty. He counsels, pleads, entreats, exhorts, and strengthens so that a person can gain victory over his opponents.

“And I will pray the father and he shall give you another comforter, that he may abide with you forever” John 14 : 16

The word comforter appears 8 times in the King James version of the Bible, but only 4 times it describes the Holy Spirit (John 14:16, 26, 15: 26, 16 : 7).

Before we go into the Symbols Of The Holy Spirit, here are some other Notable & Symbolic Names Of The Holy Spirit:

1. Spirit of life: Rom 8: 2, Rev. 11: 11

2. Spirit of Grace: Zec 12:10, Heb 10:29

3. Spirit of Knowledge: Isaiah 11:2

4. Spirit of Glory: 1 Peter 4:14

5. Eternal Spirit: Heb 9:14

6. Spirit of the Father: Matth 10:20

7. Spirit of Prophecy: Rev. 19:10

8. Good Spirit: Neh. 9:20

All the above names fully represent the names and titles used to describe the personality of the Holy Spirit.

symbols of the Holy Spirit In The Bible

The Bible uses many symbols to represent the Holy Spirit and His workings. These symbols help us to understand and appreciate the importance of the Holy Spirit in our lives as belivers.

What are the symbols of the Holy Spirit?

The Bible uses various symbols to represent the Holy Spirit. The purpose of using these symbols is to shed more light and illustrate the personalities of the Holy Spirit.

When one object has several symbols that represent it, each symbol emphasizes a different aspect of the object.

We will now look at the important symbols of the Holy Spirit as expressed in the bible. They are highlighted below:

Water

“In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, if any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.

He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water” John 7:37 – 38.

(a) Water is indispensable for human life and existence, so in like manner, the Holy Spirit is important to our spiritual life.

(b) Sin makes us dirty, therefore the Holy Spirit cleanses our spiritual lives just as water cleanses our bodies.

Wind

Jesus compares the Spirit’s work to the wind in his conversation with Nicodemus in John chapter three. “The wind bloweth where it listeth and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth; so is everyone that is born of the Spirit” John 3:8

The importance of this metaphor in explaining the symbols of the Holy Spirit includes:

(a) Just as wind exists everywhere, the Holy Spirit is everywhere. Nobody can monopolize or resist the Holy Spirit.

(b) The wind is air in continuous motion, so the Holy Spirit is also working continually.

(c) No one can control the direction of the wind, so the Holy Spirit has the supreme will and works according to his own purpose.

Fire

Biblical authors often use fire as the second most common symbol of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit came at Pentecost, not only like the wind but appears as tongues of fire resting on the heads of each believer in the upper room (Acts 2:3). John the Baptist also spoke about Jesus Christ, who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. “He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire” (Mathew 3:11)

(a) In many Old Testament instances, God revealed His presence through fire. For example, He met Moses in a burning bush that did not burn up (Exodus 3:1–5).

(b) Fire burns away unwanted things. The Spirit convicts of sin; he burns the rubbish of sin to make us more like Christ.

The Holy Spirit by shedding His divine light of heaven helps us realize eternal life and see the secret of heaven.

(d) Fire symbolizes the Holy Spirit because it gives us supernatural zeal.

(e) Lastly, fire symbolizes power, therefore, the Holy Spirit provides us with the power from heaven to preach the gospel and live a life of faith.

Oil

In the Old Testament, the people of Israel anointed prophets, priests, and kings with oil as they assumed their sacred duties.

“Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brethren, and the spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward” I Sam 16:13

It is important to also mention the significance of Oil as symbol of the Holy Spirit, these are highlighted below:

(a) Anointed places and persons with oil are holy and set apart unto God.

(b) Oil was necessary to light the seven candlesticks in the Tabernacle of God. Therefore, only the light from the oil of the Holy Spirit can illuminate the word of God.

(c) Oil prevents wear and tear by relieving the friction between moving parts. The lubricating oil of peace, love, and healing comes only when we are filled with the Holy Spirit.

(d) Thus, oil is a necessary ingredient for the preservation of life.

Dove

Of all the symbols of the Holy Spirit (Ghost), Dove is the mostly commonly used. This is perhaps as a result of the fact that all the four gospels described the Holy Spirit descending like a dove on Christ after His baptism.

“And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water; and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him” Mathew 3:16

The significance of dove as a symbol of the Holy Spirit includes:

(a) The dove is known as a symbol of peace. In Gen. 8:10 – 11, the first evidence to show that peace had returned on the earth and that the Judgment and wrath of God had passed away was a dove.

(b) The dove is also a symbol of meekness and humility. A person with the Holy Spirit must have a humble and meek spirit.

(c) The dove is often described as a pure and harmless creature. The Holy Spirit has not come to bite, tear, and kill but to save, heal, and build up.

Furthermore, other notable symbols of the Holy Spirit are:

Seal (Eph. 1:13)

Wine (Eph 5:18)

Guarantee (2Cor. 1:21 – 22)

In all, the above symbols of the Holy Spirit are the most commonly used.

Conclusion: symbols of the Holy Spirit

In conclusion, the names and symbols of the Holy Spirit reveal His multifaceted nature and divine role in the life of every believer, and this explains why prayers are often started or ended with the slogan “In the name of the Father son and Holy Spirit”.

So, from the comforting presence of the Dove to the purifying power of Fire, each name and symbol offers a deeper understanding of how the Holy Spirit guides, empowers, and transforms us.

Therefore, embracing these facts about the Holy Spirit Symbols helps us walk more closely with God and live a spirit filled life with greater sense of purpose and power.