Symbols of the Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit in OT

Holy Spirit in NT

Water for birth

• the Spirit of God over the waters at creation (Gen 1:2)

• the flood waters in the new creation (Gen 7:17 - 8:19)

• baby Moses was drawn out of the water and saved by Pharaoh's daughter (Ex 2:3-10)

• the Israelites crossing the Red Sea in the exodus to freedom (Ex 14:15-31)

• Joshua with the Israelites crossed the River Jordan into the promised land (Josh 3:14-17)

• Naaman’s flesh restored to that of a little child after washing in the Jordan (2 Kg 5:14)

• living water from Jesus (Jn 7:37-39) poured out from his pierced side (Jn 19:34) symbolising baptism of water and the Spirit (Jn 3:5)

Anointing

• seventy elders of Israel received some of the Spirit that was on Moses (Num 11:16-17)

• the Holy Spirit was upon Othniel so he could be a judge over Israel (Jdg 3:10)

• anointing with oil of priests (Lev 8:30) and kings Saul (1 Sam 10:1,9-13), David (1 Sam 16:13) and Solomon (1 Kg 1:39)

• the Holy Spirit anointed Jesus at his conception (Lk 1:35)

• the Holy Spirit rested on Jesus after his baptism (Mt 3:16-17);

• baptism of water and the Spirit (Jn 3:5)

Fire

• a smoking firepot and a flaming torch sealed God's covenant with Abram (Gen 15:17-18a)

• the flame of fire out of the burning bush (Ex 3:2)

• the pillar of fire gave light to the Israelites at night (Ex 13:21)

• the LORD descended on Mount Sinai in fire (Ex 19:18)

• fire was in the cloud of the LORD on the tabernacle at night (Ex 40.38)

• Transforming energy: Elijah brought down the fire of God to extinguish the offerings to idol Baal (1 Kg 18:38)

• at Pentecost tongues of fire rested on the apostles and they were filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:3-4)

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Jesus casting out fire on earth (Lk 12:49)

• baptism of Holy Spirit and fire (Lk 3:16) for a new birth (Jn 3:5)

• at Pentecost the fire of the Holy Spirit enabled the apostles to speak other languages and be emboldened to preach the gospel (Acts 2:3-12)

• the fire of the Holy Spirit should not be quenched (1 Th 5:19)

Cloud and light

• a pillar of cloud

  • guided the Israelites travelling to the Red Sea (Ex 13:21-22)

  • protected the Isrealites during the crossing of the Red Sea (Ex 14:19-25)

• the glory cloud of the LORD

  • with Moses on Mount Sinai (Ex 24:15-18)

  • filled the tabernacle (Ex 40:34-35)

  • with Israel in the wilderness (Ex 40:36-38)

  • in the temple (1 Kg 8:10-11)

• Mary overshadowed by the Holy Spirit for her to conceive Jesus (Lk 1:35)

• a cloud overshadowed Jesus at his transfiguration (Mt 17:5)

• a cloud took Jesus away at his ascension (Acts 1:9)

• Jesus will return in a cloud (Lk 21:27)

The seal

• God the Father set his seal on Jesus (Jn 6:27)

• the baptised have the seal of the Holy Spirit (2 Cor 1:22; Eph 1:13; 4:30)

The hand

• Jacob laid hands over Joseph's sons to bless them (Gen 48:14,20)

• Joshua was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses laid hands on him (Dt 34:9)

• Jesus laid hands over the children to bless them (Mk 10:16)

• the apostles laid hands on believers for them to receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:17, 9:17, 19:6)

The finger

• God's laws with Israel were written by the finger of God on two stone tablets (Ex 31:18)

• Jesus cast out demons with the finger of God (Lk 11:20)

• God’s laws are written by the Holy Spirit on tablets of human hearts (2 Cor 3:3)

The dove

• the Holy Spirit hovered, like a dove, over the waters at creation (Gen 1:2)

• over the flood waters after the rain had stopped (Gen 8:8-12)

• rested on Jesus during his baptism in the River Jordan (Mt 3:16-17)