Many times in the Bible the Holy Spirit is referred to by a figure in order to help us understand some of His Ministries and works.

1. DOVE - Matthew 3:16-17. John 1:13.

A.) Pure (acceptable as sacrifice). First mentioned in the Bible when Noah used one to see if the water had dried up. Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit - keep it clean.

B.) Peaceful. Matthew 10:16 - "harmless as doves". A symbol of peace. A dove had no "gall", so it isn't bitter. (Christians ought to be that way.)

2. WIND (Pneuma). Ezekiel 37:1-14. John 3:8. The wind is the mysterious force of the earth, and so the Spirit is mysterious (Ecclesiastes 11:5) in convicting of sin (John 16:8), and regeneration (Titus 3:5).

3. FIRE - Acts 2:2,3.

A.) Fire gives light - illuminates Word of God - John 14:26, I Corinthians 2:12-13.

B.) Fire gives warmth - a cold church is bad, a lukewarm one is sickening. Revelation 3:16.

C.) Fire purifies - burns of dross - I Corinthians 3:16-17.

4. WATER - John 7:37-39, Isaiah 44:3.

A.) Essential to life. In birth, and in day to day living. I Corinthians 12:13.

B.) Essential to growth. Psalms 1:3, Job 8:11. Carnal Christians aren't Spirit-controlled. Romans 8:7, I Corinthians 3:1.

C. Water produces power. I Corinthians 2:4, Acts 1:8. (To carry, to push, etc.)

5. OIL - Acts 10:38, Luke 4:18. Anointed.

A.) Helps prevent sickness. (James 5:14 - used in Prayer cure.)

B.) Used to make light (as in a lamp) - Ye are the Light of the World

6. FINGER OF GOD - Compare Matthew 12:28 with Luke 11:20.

A.) In inspiration - Exodus 31:18, Deuteronomy 9:10. God's Fingers for much of the Bible were "Holy men of God who spake as they were moved by the Spirit".

B.) In power over demons - Luke 11:20. (God's finger has all the power we need to defeat satan - PRAISE THE LORD!)

C.) Judgment. Daniel 5 - When God pronounced judgment against Belshazzar. Exodus 8:19,32 - Pharaoh hardened his heart. 9:7,12; 10:1,20,27; 11:10 - the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh.

This article was written by my father T.O.D. Johnston, who was licensed to preach the Gospel by Paran Baptist Church on May 26, 1979. He has been a student of Scripture since 1972. View more lessons at his Bible Study Lessons page.