The Emblems Of The Holy Spirit

THE EMBLEMS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Isaiah 11:2-4

I. THE BIBLE CONTAINS SIMILITUDES (Resemblances, Likeness, Images)

a. The Bible is a book of similes, metaphors, allegories, parables, emblems, and symbols. To better understand Scripture, we must understand these similitudes:

Simile is a figure of speech in which one thing is compared to another. Psalm 102:6. I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.

Metaphor is a figure of speech in which one thing is called another John 1:29. The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Allegory is a prolonged metaphor Judges 9:8-13. The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us. But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us. But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees? Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us. And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?

Parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning Matthew 13. The parable of the sower and the seeds.

Emblem is a visible sign of an idea; an object symbolizing another object or idea Luke 3:22. And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

Symbol is a thing or act representing something spiritual Genesis 9:13. I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.

b. With these words in mind, we are better able to understand the Word of God as we discuss the "emblems" of the Holy Spirit and how they relate to His provisions.

II. THE EMBLEMS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT NAMED.

a. The dove. Matthew 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

b. The anointing oil. Exodus 29:20-21 Then shalt thou kill the ram, and take of his blood, and put it upon the tip of the right ear of Aaron, and upon the tip of the right ear of his sons, and upon the thumb of their right hand, and upon the great toe of their right foot, and sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about. And thou shalt take of the blood that is upon the altar, and of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon the garments of his sons with him: and he shall be hallowed, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons' garments with him.

c. The wind. John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

d. The fire. Acts 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

e. The clothing. Judges 6:34 But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered after him.

f. The seal. II Corinthians 1:21-22 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

g. The earnest. II Corinthians 5:5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

The pledge or the assurance.

III. THE COMMUNION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

1. The Holy Spirit enters into Partnership with believers.

a. Great benediction. II Corinthians 13:14. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

b. Communion = Fellowship.

c. Best summed up in word partnership.

2. The partnership is with a person.

a. His partnership is limited by us.

b. The partnership is with the person of the Holy Spirit.

c. Holy Spirit provides our vehicle for the partnership of the trinity. John 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.