The Holy Spirit (5) The Symbols of the Holy Spirit (2)

“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” (2Co 1:20-22)
 
Review
Since Pentecost Sunday, when we remember the coming of the Holy Spirit, we've been talking about the Holy Spirit. Last Sunday, we explored who He is and what He does by looking at some of the symbols that represent Him in the Bible.
 
The first symbol we looked at was wind. In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, the Bible says that the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. The word for "Spirit" is also translated as “breath” or “wind” of God.
 
Wind is invisible, yet it's real and powerful. It moves things, changes things, and makes its presence known. Even though we can't see it, we can definitely feel its strong influence. In the same way, the Holy Spirit is unseen, yet truly present and at work in our lives.
 
The Holy Spirit is not a passive presence, but an active and mighty force at work within us. He moves us, empowers us, and leads us in the direction of God’s will—taking us where we could never go on our own
 
The second symbol of the Holy Spirit is fire. All throughout Scripture, fire represents God's nature—His holiness, His guidance, His purifying work, His jealous love, and even His judgment. In the same way, the Holy Spirit comes upon us like fire.
 
Jesus said He came to bring fire to the earth—and the fire He was referring to is the fire of the Holy Spirit. On the day of Pentecost, this fire came upon the disciples as they prayed. It burned away their fears, weaknesses, and sinfulness. It purified and renewed them from the inside out. The fire of the Holy Spirit ignited a holy passion within them, empowering them to proclaim the gospel boldly—without fear or hesitation.
 
This same fire is what the Holy Spirit desires to give us today. When we are filled with His fire, we can overcome our weaknesses and sinful nature, live in victory, and be empowered to share the gospel with boldness and passion.
 
The third symbol of the Holy Spirit is water. Jesus once cried out, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” (Jn 7:38)
 
Here, the “living water” Jesus spoke of refers to the Holy Spirit. Water represents life—and just as our physical bodies can’t survive without it, our spirits can’t truly live without the living water the Holy Spirit provides. His presence is essential for keeping our spirits awake, alive, and healthy.
 
Just as a dry branch can’t produce leaves or bear fruit, anyone without the living water of the Holy Spirit becomes spiritually dry—lifeless and unfruitful. Without the Holy Spirit’s living water, our faith becomes dry and weak. We might look religious and godly on the outside, but there's no real power on the inside. We may call ourselves Christians, yet show little to no reflection of Christ’s likeness in our lives.
 
That’s why we must continually come to the Holy Spirit with spiritual thirst, longing for the living water that only He can provide. When we confess our need and draw near to Him, He delights to fill us with the rivers of life He has promised. Then, like trees planted by streams of water, we will flourish in every season—like a well-watered garden, a spring whose waters never run dry.
 
4. Anointing Oil
All right. These were the three symbols of the Holy Spirit we talked about last Sunday, and today, I want us to continue by reflecting on three more powerful symbols of the Holy Spirit that help us understand who He is and how He works in our lives.
 
The fourth symbol of the Holy Spirit is oil. In the Old Testament, oil was used to consecrate kings, priests, and prophets. It served as a special sign that God had chosen and set them apart for a unique purpose.
 
In 1 Samuel 16:13, we read about the prophet Samuel anointing David with oil.
 
‘So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David.’ (1 Sam 16:13)
 
In this scene, we see a connection between being anointed with oil and the coming of the Holy Spirit. From the very moment Samuel poured oil on David, the Spirit of the Lord came upon him in a mighty way and started working through his life.
 
This connection between the Holy Spirit and anointing oil is also found in one of the most famous Messianic prophecies in Scripture. Isaiah 61:1-3 says,
 
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion - to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” (Is 61:1-3)
 
This prophecy was written about 700 years before Jesus was born. At the beginning of His public ministry, Jesus went to the synagogue in Nazareth, opened the scroll of Isaiah, and read this very passage. And, after reading it, He said, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:21)
 
By saying this, Jesus made it clear that Isaiah was speaking about Him—that He had come into the world to fulfill this prophecy: to proclaim good news, heal the brokenhearted, set captives free, and bring comfort to those who mourn. His ministry began with the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
 
Peter, who walked closely with Jesus and saw everything firsthand, also testified about the connection between the anointing of the Holy Spirit and Jesus’ ministry.
 
Peter said, “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem” (Acts 10:38-39)
 
And, verse 44 says, “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.” (Acts 10:44)
 
The anointing of the Holy Spirit was with Jesus in everything He did. After Jesus ascended to heaven, that same Spirit came upon Jesus’ disciples in the same way—giving them power and boldness to share the good news. And when they preached, the Holy Spirit also came upon the people listening to the gospel.
 
The same Holy Spirit still comes to us today. Just like how the Spirit came on David, on Jesus, on His disciples, and on those who heard the gospel through them, that anointing is here for us too.
 
The apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” (2Co 1:21-22)
 
The apostle John also said, “But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.” (1Jn 2:20)
 
This anointing of the Spirit sanctifies us and gives us the power we need to carry out the work God has called us to do.
 
The second meaning of anointing in the Old Testament is connected to holiness. When kings, priests, and prophets were anointed in the Old Testament, it wasn’t just a sign that God had chosen them—it also meant they were set apart as holy for God’s special purpose.
 
When God told Moses to build the Tabernacle, Moses followed every detail just as God showed him. And once everything was finished, God gave one final instruction: anoint all the items with oil. That anointing made them holy.
 
Exodus 40:9-10 says, “Take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and everything in it; consecrate it and all its furnishings, and it will be holy. Then anoint the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils; consecrate the altar, and it will be most holy.” (Ex 40:9-10)
 
This is what it means for us to be anointed with the Holy Spirit. It means that we are chosen—we belong to God. It also means that through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are made holy and set apart for God’s purpose for us. That’s why we should always be asking for the anointing of the Spirit in our daily walk with God—so that we can stay full of His power, His purpose, and His presence.
 
In the Old Testament, the Tabernacle was divided into two main parts: the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. In the Holy Place stood three sacred items. The first was the table of the Bread of the Presence, where holy bread was continually laid before the Lord (Ex 25:30). The second item was the golden lampstand, made of pure gold (Ex 25:31). The third item was the altar of incense.
 
These three things stand for some really important parts of our faith: God’s Word, the Holy Spirit’s anointing, and the prayers of God’s people. Of the three, I want to focus specifically on the lampstand.
 
The lampstand had seven lamps, and they were supposed to stay lit all the time—they could never go out. To keep the flames burning nonstop, the Israelites had to keep pouring in pure olive oil. It wasn’t a one-time thing; they had to do it continuously as their ongoing responsibility.
 
God said, “Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning. In the tent of meeting, outside the curtain that shields the ark of the covenant law, Aaron and his sons are to keep the lamps burning before the Lord from evening till morning. This is to be a lasting ordinance among the Israelites for the generations to come.” (Ex 27:20-21)
 
This is the oil we must always ask to be filled with. Without the anointing of the Holy Spirit, we can’t keep our fire burning. The Spirit comes to us as fire, but without oil, how can that fire keep burning strongly?
 
So, just like the Israelites kept the lamps burning with oil, we too need to keep asking for the Holy Spirit’s anointing so that we can live holy lives and carry out the mission God has given us. We should continually pray that the power of the Holy Spirit remains alive and active in our lives every day. The anointing of the Holy Spirit isn’t just a one-time event—it’s an ongoing necessity for every Christian’s daily walk.
 
In Matthew 25, Jesus told a parable known as the Parable of the Ten Virgins. In it, five wise virgins brought extra oil for their lamps, while the other five—thinking the bridegroom would arrive quickly—assumed what they had was enough and made no preparation for a delay. But when the bridegroom finally came, only those who were ready with enough oil were allowed to enter the wedding banquet.
 
This parable teaches us something really important. The Christian life isn’t a short sprint—it’s a marathon. We have to keep running all the way until the day God calls us home. We need to keep our fire burning and continue shining our light.
 
In order for us to do so, we need the oil that keeps the flame going. Without it—without the ongoing anointing of the Holy Spirit—we begin to lose our love for God, our passion fades, and we risk giving up on the mission God has given us.
 
But when our lives are filled with the anointing of the Holy Spirit, then—and only then—can we truly live out our calling. It is through His power that we remain holy, stay faithful, and finish the race of faith.
 
I pray that the anointing of the Holy Spirit would fall powerfully on everyone gathered here. May His power keep the fire of the Spirit burning in us, make us more passionate than ever, and help us shine the light of Jesus Christ brightly in this world.
 
Now, let’s briefly look at two more symbols of the Holy Spirit.
 
5. The Dove
The fifth symbol of the Holy Spirit is the dove. When Jesus was baptized by John, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him like a dove.  Matthew 3:16-17 says,
 
“As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Mt 3:16-17)
 
In Scripture, the dove is seen as a clean and pure animal, often used in sacrifices and symbolic of peace and innocence. In Leviticus 1:14, God instructs that if someone brings a bird as a burnt offering, they should offer a dove or a young pigeon. “If the offering to the Lord is a burnt offering of birds, he is to offer a dove or a young pigeon.” (Lev. 1:14)
 
One of the most important requirements for the sacrifices used in the Old Testament was that they had to be clean, pure, and without any defect. So the fact that doves were used as sacrifices means that they represented those same qualities—purity, innocence, and being without blemish.
 
Jesus also taught His disciples in Matthew 10:16: “Be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves” (Mt 10:16)
 
The dove also stands for life and peace. In the story of Noah’s ark, Noah sent out a dove three times to see if the floodwaters had receded. The second time, the dove returned with a freshly plucked olive leaf.
 
Genesis 8:11 says, “When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth.” (Gn 8:11)
 
This signified that God’s judgment had ended, and a new era of peace and reconciliation had begun. In the same way, the Holy Spirit is the One who brings peace, reconciliation, and new life between God and us, making us holy and righteous before Him.
 
 
6. The Seal
Now, let’s move on to the last symbol of the Holy Spirit: the seal. In ancient times, seals were used to mark ownership, authenticate documents, and ensure security and protection. Similarly, the seal of the Holy Spirit signifies that we are God’s people, and that the Holy Spirit guarantees our salvation.
 
Paul wrote in Ephesians 1, “You also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession - to the praise of his glory.” (Eph 1:13-14)
 
He continues in the same letter, “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (Eph. 4:30)
 
And again Paul said in 2 Corinthians 1, “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” (2 Cor. 1:21–22)
 
All these passages emphasize how important it is for us to be sealed by the Holy Spirit. The sealing of the Holy Spirit is connected to His ministry of confirmation, assurance, and protection. When we are sealed by the Spirit, we are assured that we belong to God, that we are saved, and that we are secure in His guidance and protection.
 
This assurance is eternal and secure because it doesn’t come from us, but from the One who gives salvation. We cannot guarantee our salvation on our own because we are receivers, not the Giver, of salvation. Only the One who gives salvation can also give us assurance. In this way, being sealed by the Holy Spirit fills us with confidence and hope in our salvation.
 
Sometimes, we lose confidence in our salvation. When we see ourselves not living according to God’s Word and His will, when we notice our weaknesses and sin causing us to stumble and fall, it’s easy to start doubting our faith and whether we’re really saved.
 
However, when we stumble in weakness or sin and begin to doubt, the Holy Spirit reassures us. He reminds us in those moments that we are still God’s children and reignites the passion and love we once had for God. He reminds us that we are still loved by God and that we will inherit His kingdom one day as His children.
 
Paul writes in Romans 8, “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ…” (Rm 8:16-17)
 
This is what the Holy Spirit is doing in our lives right now. When we rely only on our own strength, we’re bound to stumble. We can’t be sure about our salvation on our own. But when we depend on the Spirit, He gives us that assurance and keeps us safe and guides us all the way until we receive our final salvation.
 
When we start to doubt that we’re God’s children, the Spirit stands up for us and testifies that we belong to Him. So whenever your faith feels shaky, run even closer to the Holy Spirit. He will refresh you, renew you, and give you new strength to rise and live for God.
 
Conclusion
Today, we’ve reflected on three additional symbols of the Holy Spirit: oil, the dove, and the seal.
 
The anointing oil of the Holy Spirit shows us that God has chosen us and set us apart, and through His Spirit, we are continually empowered to live out our calling. The dove represents the gentle, peaceful, and pure nature of the Holy Spirit—He brings reconciliation and leads us into a life of holiness. And the seal of the Spirit assures us that we are God’s beloved people, protected and guaranteed eternal life through His presence in us.
 
So today, let us once again invite the Holy Spirit into our lives. Let’s return to the Lord and ask Him to anoint us afresh—so that the oil of the Spirit overflows in our lives and in every place we go. Let’s pray.
 
Prayer
Gracious and loving Heavenly Father,
We thank You for revealing to us today the depths of the Holy Spirit’s work through Your Word.
 
We come now asking for a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit. We praise the Holy Spirit for healing us and leading us on the path of restoration. Fill us with the presence of the Holy Spirit so that we may fulfill the calling You have given us without growing weary.
 
Come to us like a dove. Gently touch our hearts. Fill us with meekness and peace. Calm our troubled souls and lead us into a life that is holy and pure.
 
Thank You protecting us and assuring us with the seal of the Holy Spirit. When we are weak and burdened with doubt, we profess that He testifies with our spirits that we are Your children. Through Him, we rest in the confidence that we are sealed and protected until the day of redemption.
 
Now, Lord, we long once more to be filled with Your Spirit. Come, Holy Spirit, and anoint our hearts. Let the oil of Your anointing overflow into every area of our lives. Let the fire of the Holy Spirit keep burning within us so that we can shine Your light wherever we are.
 
We pray all of this in the most precious name of Jesus Christ.
Amen.
  
[Reflection Questions]
1. Where do you see the anointing of the Holy Spirit working in your life? Why do you need this anointing, and how can you receive it more fully?
 
2. In what ways can you imitate the qualities of the Holy Spirit as the dove—being innocent, peaceful, and harmless—in your relationships with God and with others?
 
3.  When do you find yourself doubting your faith or salvation the most? How does the seal of the Holy Spirit comfort and assure you in those moments? How does that assurance strengthen your confidence in God’s promises?
 
4. Of the three symbols we talked about today—oil, dove, and seal—which one resonates most with your current spiritual condition, and why? What is one specific prayer you want to offer to the Holy Spirit today in response to what He has revealed to you?