Topical Bible: Symbols and Similitudes of the Holy Spirit: Water

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In the Scriptures, water is a profound and multifaceted symbol of the Holy Spirit, representing purification, life, and the sustaining power of God. This imagery is woven throughout both the Old and New Testaments, illustrating the essential role of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life.

Purification and Cleansing

Water as a symbol of purification is evident in the rituals and laws of the Old Testament. In Ezekiel 36:25-27, God promises, "I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances." Here, the cleansing water is directly associated with the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, who purifies and renews the heart.

Life and Refreshment

Water is also a symbol of life and refreshment, essential for physical survival and spiritual vitality. 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." The living water represents the Holy Spirit, who indwells believers, providing spiritual nourishment and eternal life.

Sustaining Power

The sustaining power of water is another aspect of its symbolism. 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." This imagery conveys the idea of the Holy Spirit as a life-giving force, revitalizing and sustaining the people of God, much like water revitalizes parched land.

Baptism and New Birth

The New Testament further emphasizes the connection between water and the Holy Spirit through the sacrament of baptism. In John 3:5, Jesus tells Nicodemus, "Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit." This passage highlights the dual role of water and the Spirit in the new birth, symbolizing the cleansing from sin and the impartation of new life through the Holy Spirit.

Conclusion

Throughout Scripture, water serves as a powerful symbol of the Holy Spirit, illustrating His roles in cleansing, giving life, and sustaining believers. This imagery underscores the essential and transformative work of the Holy Spirit in the life of every Christian, as He purifies, refreshes, and empowers them to live according to God's will.

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John 3:5
Jesus answered, Truly, truly, I say to you, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
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John 7:38,39
He that believes on me, as the scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
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Library

Of the Sacraments.
... when words have preceded, then by such symbols of covenant ... We might refer to other
similitudes, by which ... by means of the sacraments, the Holy Spirit is given ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 14 of the sacraments.htm

Clement of Alexandria.
... Scripture, holy, chronology of, 325-334. ... quoted, 384-385, 403. Similitudes in
instruction, use of, 281. ... Symbols, Pythagorean, in philosophic proverbs, 450. ...
/.../clement/who is the rich man that shall be saved/clement of alexandria.htm

Letter Lv. Replies to Questions of Januarius.
... devoutness of spirit, we accept similitudes adapted to the illustration of holy
things, which ... in like manner, whensoever illustrative symbols are borrowed ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter lv replies to questions.htm

Of the Five Sacraments, Falsely So Called. Their Spuriousness ...
... the patena with the host, as symbols of the ... But any man who would class such similitudes
with sacraments ... in a sacrament the gift of the Holy Spirit is conferred ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 19 of the five.htm

The Talking Book
... of His approaching advent in the symbols of the ... to be conceived of as though such
similitudes were literal ... industrious, and general reading of Holy Scripture. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the talking book.htm

The Talking Book
... of His approaching advent in the symbols of the ... to be conceived of as though such
similitudes were literal ... industrious, and general reading of Holy Scripture. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the talking book.htm

Formula Concordi??.
... duntaxat pro religione But the other symbols and other ... are like one drop of water
compared with ... but chiefly those who through the Holy Spirit are regenerated ...
/.../schaff/the creeds of the evangelical protestant churches/formula concordiae.htm

Dialogue i. --The Immutable.
... Himself a vine, dignified the visible symbols by the ... the ogdoads and tetrads and
similitudes are proved ... Testimony of the Holy Hippolytus, Bishop and Martyr ...
/.../theodoret/the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/dialogue i the immutable.htm