In the Bible God throws light upon the nature and mission of the Holy Spirit by the use of six designated emblems that identify with the Holy Spirit. The repeated use of these metaphors in Scripture visualizes the Holy Spirit in our minds eye to enhance our understanding of who He is.
1. A dove – indicating purity, peace and modesty
John 1:32 – And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him.”
See also: Psalms 55:6, Song of Solomon 2:14, 6:9
2. Water – indicating life and cleansing
John 7:38 – (Jesus speaking) – He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.
Isaiah 44:3 – For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring.
3. Oil – indicating light, healing and anointing for service
Luke 4:18 – (Jesus speaking) – The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has appointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.
4. A seal – indicating ownership, finished transaction, identification, security, genuineness, value and authority
Ephesians 1:13 – 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.
Ephesians 4:30 – And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
1 Corinthians 1:22 – Who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
5. Wind – indicating unseen power
John 3:8 – (Jesus speaking) – The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.
See also: Acts 2:1-2
6. Fire – indicating presence, approval, protection, gift, judgment and purifying
Hebrews 12:29 – For our God is a consuming fire.
Exodus 13:21 – And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night.
See also: Acts 2:3, Exodus 3:2, Leviticus 9:24
Witnessing for Christ