Although the Holy Spirit himself is invisible, his name, symbols, and activity show who he is. The most common names for the Holy Spirit are Spirit of God, Spirit of the Lord, Spirit of the Father, Spirit of Jesus, and Helper. Some of the most common symbols of the Holy Spirit are dove, wind, storm, fire, oil and water.
Bible Verses
“2The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” (Ge 1:2)
“6Then the Spirit of the Lord will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man.” (1 Sa 10:6)
“20For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” (Mt 10:20)
“7And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.” (Ac 16:7)
“26“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.” (Jn 15:26)
“10“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.” (Zec 12:10)
“16And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him;” (Mt 3:16)
“3And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Ac 2:3–4)
“38And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Ac 2:38)
Study Questions
- What do all these names and titles say about who the Holy Spirit is?
- Is it positive or negative to be met by the fire of God’s Spirit?
- Have you personally experienced any of the Holy Spirit’s names or symbols?
- How dependent are we Christians on the Holy Spirit to live as disciples of Jesus?
Additional Bible Verses
Rom 1:4, Rom 8:2, 1 Pet 4:14, Heb 9:14, Jn 14:26, Deut 34:9, Rom 8:15, Isa 4:4, Acts 2:2, Acts 10:38, Jn 7:37-39, Eph 1:13