THE BREATH OF GOD

The Signs/Symbols of the Holy Spirit Symbols of the Holy Spirit...

• Fire--All dross and impurity is burned up by His purging presence and the soul is set afire with a burning passion and zeal for God and His service. (Luke 3:16,17) "John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable."
• Wind--Greek word "Pneuma" which, as referring to the Holy Spirit, is translated Spirit...is the ordinary Greek word for "wind", "air" or "breath." God breathed into Adam the breath of life and he became a living soul. Christ breathed upon His disciples and said "...receive ye the Holy Ghost" (John 20:22). The Holy Spirit was His very breath. The Holy Spirit is every where present, just as the very air we breathe. He is our very life.
• Water--"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. (But this spake He of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive...)" John 7:37-39....Isaiah 44:3; Hosea 6:3.........The Holy Spirit as water refers to the refreshing presence of God. Just as water is absolutely essential to physical life, so is the Holy Spirit essential to all spiritual life. Water washes and cleanses, so does the Holy Spirit. Water refreshes, so does the Spirit.
• Seal--Ephesians 1:13 and 2 Timothy 2:19, "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity."
A seal denotes:

1. Ownership...The impress of a seal implies a relationship to the owner of the seal. It is a sure token of something belonging to him. Believers are God's property, known to be so by the seal of the Spirit.
2. Genuineness and Authority...Official documents are validated by the seal of the United States, by state seals, by notary seals, etc. To tamper with that seal is an implied attack on the government which applied it. So he who attacks the sealed child of God, attacks the authority of the heavenly government which endorses us as genuine.
3. Security or Preservation...A housewife seals her canned fruits and vegetables so that outside air may not reach them. They then remain preserved as long as the seal is not broken. Our lives are sealed by the Spirit to help keep the evil influences of this contaminated world.
• Other Symbols--Oil and the Dove

Galatians 3:3, "Having begun in the Spirit," Paul Says, "let us continue in the Spirit."
      "Having begun in the Spirit..." We were:
            Convicted by the Spirit;
                  Born of the Spirit;
                        Filled with the Spirit

      Now let us:
            Be led of the Spirit;
                  Walk in the Spirit;
                        Minister in the Spirit

      And we will be raptured in the Spirit.