Acts 2:1-4 NLT: "1 On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability."

Acts 4:31 NLT: "After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness."

Matthew 3:16 NLT: "After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him."

Four Symbols of the Holy Spirit

1. He is the WIND.

• The wind is the symbol of the breath of God.
• He breathed into man and man became a living soul. GENESIS
• God told Ezekiel to prophesy to the dry bones and they would live again. The wind came and filled them, and they became an exceedingly great army. This was the Spirit of God. EZEKIEL
• John 20:21-22 NLT: "21 Again he said, 'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.' 22 Then HE BREATHED on them and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.'"

2. He is the FIRE.

• God could have chosen any sign to show that the Holy Spirit was now living in His people. He chose the sign of a tongue of fire on top of everyone's head.
• Matthew 3:11 NLT: "I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I'm not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. HE WILL BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND WITH FIRE."
• He was the fire in the burning bush, He was the fire that led the Israelites in the night, and He was the fire that descended on Mount Sinai.
• You are the sacrifice.
• You are the lamp that is lit.
• Your tongue is now empowered by God to pray and to witness.

3. He is the EARTHQUAKE.

• The earthquake is a symbol of power.
• Nahum 1:5 NASB: "Mountains quake because of Him and the hills dissolve; indeed the earth is upheaved by His presence, the world and all the inhabitants in it."
• An earthquake is only the by-product of the movement of something extremely large and powerful.
• The Holy Spirit is the POWER of God. He is big and powerful.
• Recognize and receive His power: Acts 1:8 NLT: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere-in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

4. He is the DOVE.

• God could have chosen any bodily form to represent the Holy Spirit, but He chose the dove. He is pure, He is gentle, and He is close.
• The dove represents how God wants to fellowship with us. God wants to be close to us, speak gently to our hearts, and fellowship with us in purity.
• 1 Kings 19:11-13 NLT: "11 'Go out and stand before me on the mountain,' the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, 'What are you doing here, Elijah?'"