Topical Bible: The Emblems of the Holy Spirit: Water: Refreshing

Bible > Topical > The Emblems of the Holy Spirit

◄ The Emblems of the Holy Spirit: Water: Refreshing ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the Scriptures, water serves as a profound emblem of the Holy Spirit, symbolizing purification, life, and refreshment. This imagery is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, where water is often associated with the Spirit's renewing and life-giving work.

Biblical References and Symbolism

The association of water with the Holy Spirit is evident in several key passages. In the Gospel of John, Jesus speaks of the living water that He offers, which is a direct reference to the Holy Spirit. In John 7:37-39 , Jesus declares, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’” By this, He meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. This passage highlights the refreshing and sustaining nature of the Holy Spirit, akin to water that quenches thirst and sustains life.

The prophet Isaiah also uses the imagery of water to describe the Spirit's work. In Isaiah 44:3 , God promises, "For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring, and My blessing on your descendants." Here, the Spirit is likened to water that revitalizes and brings fertility to barren land, symbolizing spiritual renewal and blessing.

The Role of Water in Spiritual Renewal

Water's role as a symbol of the Holy Spirit is further emphasized in the context of spiritual cleansing and renewal. In the New Testament, the act of baptism is closely associated with the Holy Spirit and involves the use of water as a sign of purification and new life. In Acts 2:38 , Peter instructs, "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." The water of baptism signifies the washing away of sin and the reception of the Holy Spirit, marking the beginning of a believer's new life in Christ.

The Refreshing Presence of the Spirit

The refreshing nature of the Holy Spirit, as symbolized by water, is a source of comfort and strength for believers. Just as water refreshes the body, the Holy Spirit refreshes the soul, providing spiritual vitality and renewal. In Psalm 23:2-3 , the psalmist speaks of God leading him beside quiet waters and restoring his soul, a metaphor for the Spirit's calming and restorative presence in the life of the believer.

Moreover, the Spirit's refreshing work is not only personal but also communal. In the early church, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit brought about a sense of unity and shared purpose among believers, as seen in Acts 4:31-32 : "After they had prayed, their meeting place was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. All the believers were one in heart and mind." The Spirit's presence brought a refreshing sense of community and mission, empowering the church to spread the gospel with boldness.

Conclusion

The emblem of water as a symbol of the Holy Spirit underscores the Spirit's role in refreshing, renewing, and sustaining the believer. Through the imagery of water, Scripture reveals the Spirit's work in cleansing from sin, imparting new life, and providing ongoing spiritual nourishment. As believers draw near to God, they are invited to experience the refreshing presence of the Holy Spirit, who quenches their spiritual thirst and empowers them for a life of faith and service.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 46:4
There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 41:17,18
When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue fails for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Power Hindered.
... But I would further call attention to the emblems of the ... out, which was an emblem
of the Holy Spirit; and it ... Now water is cleansing; it is fertilizing; it is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/secret power/chapter v power hindered.htm

The Believer not an Orphan. "I Will not Leave You Comfortless: I ...
... addition to this, Jesus Christ by His Spirit makes visits ... The Holy Ghost becomes
wonderfully active and potent at ... many a happy time when the emblems of bread ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/the believer not an orphan.htm

A Heavenly Pattern for Our Earthly Life
... and crowns, and palms are the earthly emblems of the ... The same river of the water
of life which makes ... with the triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we are ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 30 1884/a heavenly pattern for our.htm

Christ the Only Preservative against a Reprobate Spirit
... overspread the earth, were but poor emblems, lifeless representations of ... the whole
Sabbath must be kept holy; and that ... to be ignorant of the spirit of Christ's ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/christ the only preservative against.htm

The Presentation of the Blessed virgin in the Temple
... burnt, so now the fire of the Holy Spirit was burning ... of the outermost of these towards
the Holy of Holies ... at the proceeding but accompany her only as emblems. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/iii the presentation of the.htm

The Best of the Best
... I shall not doubt that the same Spirit will incline ... praises himself, it is a kind
of holy advertisement by ... and then, inasmuch as he uses two emblems, first the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 42 1896/the best of the best.htm

The Dew and the Plants
Expositions of Holy Scripture. ... This whole chapter is full of emblems drawn from the
vegetable world. ... 'I'"Myself through My Son, and in My Spirit"'I will be ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the dew and the plants.htm

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
... the very image; both then are but emblems of what ... of Christ, who through the eternal
Spirit offered himself ... in innocency, and so compass this holy altar: for ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... as naturally bubble out of my heart as water would bubble ... a fable, and cunning story,
than the holy and pure ... did make such a seizure upon my spirit, and did so ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

The Pilgrim's Progress
... walk the street, If they do but my holy Pilgrim meet ... Tell everyone his spirit was
so stout, No man could ... to run his hazards, yet have their mouths water at his ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the pilgrims progress.htm