What is the anointing?
The anointing in Scripture has two great aspects: the Old Testament type — oil poured on kings, prophets, and priests — and the New Testament reality — the Holy Spirit Himself, given to every believer.
The Old Testament Type
In the Old Testament, specially prepared oil was used to set apart kings (Saul, David, Solomon), prophets (1 Kings 19:16), and priests (Exodus 29–30) for God. The tabernacle and its vessels were anointed too. In every case the oil typified the sanctification and power of the Holy Spirit.
Morrish's Bible Dictionary summarizes:
Morrish's Bible DictionaryWhether this last anointing refers to persons or things and whether the oil is that specially prepared or common oil, the sanctification and power of the Holy Spirit is invariably typified thereby. Anointing with oil for consecration to office is not now enjoined on believers, for they are anointed with the Holy Spirit, and are also priests to God. John reminds even the babes in Christ that they have an unction from the Holy One, and the anointing (the same word, χρίσμα) abideth in them. 1 John 2:20, 27. Thus, as in the O.T., the kings, prophets, and priests were anointed as set apart for God, so the Christian is by the Holy Spirit sanctified for God, both as to his position and service.
The title "Christ" (Greek Christos) and "Messiah" (Hebrew Mashiach) both mean "the Anointed One." The Lord Jesus was anointed not with oil, but with the Holy Spirit by God the Father — as witnessed at His baptism (Mark 1:10; John 1:32-34; Acts 10:38).
The Holy Spirit Given to Believers
The key New Testament passage is 1 John 2:20, 27, where John writes to even the youngest believers that they possess this gift.
It gives spiritual understanding
F. B. Hole writes:
F. B. HoleThe "Unction" of verse 20 is the same as the "Anointing" of verse 27, and the reference in each case is to the Holy Spirit. Indwelling the children of God, He becomes the Source whence proceeds their spiritual understanding. Now the simplest babe in the Divine family has received the Anointing, and so may be said to "know all things." The word for know is the one meaning inward, conscious knowledge. If it be a question of acquired knowledge, there are ten thousand details of which at present the babe is ignorant, but the Anointing gives him that inward capacity which brings all things within his reach. He knows all things potentially, though not yet in detail.
It abides permanently and teaches
William Kelly explains:
William Kelly"But ye have anointing from the Holy One." This is their new endowment from on high, which even the "little children" possessed. They were anointed by the Spirit of God given to them, an unction from the Holy One, even the Lord Jesus. ... For this is distinctive of the Christian, not only to be established in Christ but anointed by the Spirit, as we read in 2 Cor. 1:21.
He further unfolds its purpose:
Without anointing from the Holy One (i.e., the Spirit of God from the Holy One, Christ), they could have had no fitness to withstand snares so subtle and perilous. The gift of the Spirit characterises the Christian. ... They are anointed by the Holy Spirit to realise the truth, making it their own with all certainty and liberty.
And on verse 27:
"But the anointing which ye received of him abideth in you." ... The holy unction, the Spirit given to them, abides. His anointing abideth in you, "little children": this He faithfully continues. Now the anointing of the Spirit is to understand and enjoy in power the truth of God in Christ.
"And ye need not that any one teach you." ... "But as the same anointing teacheth you about all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, abide ye in him." It is not merely what they had; but there He was in them to teach all else which the word contained in detail and application, by God's gracious care over the babes.
It connects us with Christ
F. B. Hole on 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 draws out a beautiful connection:
F. B. HoleBear in mind that the significance of "Christ" is "the Anointed One." So verse 21 shows us that we are anointed as those who are established in the Anointed One. The Anointing reaches us as those who are connected with Him. When Aaron was anointed the "precious ointment" that was poured upon his head ran down even "to the skirts of his garments" (Ps. 133:2). Which thing was a type or allegory; for the grace and power of our exalted Head has been carried down to us His members by the anointing of the Spirit.
But the Spirit of God is not only the Anointing: He is also the Seal and the Earnest. As the Anointing He connects us with Christ. As the Seal He marks us off as being wholly for God. ... the Holy Spirit is the Earnest in our hearts ... the pledge and foretaste of the glory that is coming.
It is distinct from new birth
Kelly makes an important distinction — the anointing is not the same as being born again, but a further gift:
The gift of the Spirit is the real and distinctive mark — "anointing from the Holy One." We must not confound with it our being born of the Spirit. ... But we needed redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Hence, after we are converted, and believe the gospel, we receive the Holy Spirit. It is then properly that we become Christians.
The priesthood type
A. Davison traces the type in Exodus 29, where Aaron was first anointed alone and then a second time in association with his sons:
A. DavisonAaron is anointed. This was done before the blood was shed and points to the anointing of the Lord on the banks of the Jordan. ... Aaron was anointed again and the second time it is in association with his sons. This would speak of Christ in resurrection and in association with the Assembly. On the banks of the Jordan He was alone in His anointing but in resurrection His brethren are called to share with Him, in the anointing that has meant association with Him in His new position, before the face of God.
It safeguards against error
Hole also stresses its protective role:
What a comfort it is to know that the Anointing abides in us. There is no variation or failure there. Again the Anointing not only abides but teaches of all things. ... We do not need that any man should teach us. This remark is not intended to discredit teachers whom the Lord may have raised up and gifted to do His work. ... It is intended to make us realize that even gifted teachers are not absolutely indispensable, but the Anointing is.
The Anointing Himself is truth. ... Christ is the truth as an Object before us. The Spirit is truth, bringing it into our hearts by divine teaching.
The anointing, then, is the Holy Spirit Himself — given to every believer upon faith in the gospel, connecting them to Christ (the Anointed One), abiding in them permanently, teaching them the truth of God, and safeguarding them against error. In the Old Testament it was typified by the holy oil poured on kings, prophets, and priests; in the New Testament it is the living reality of God's Spirit indwelling each member of Christ's body. It is not to be confused with new birth (the communication of divine life), but is the further gift of the Spirit that distinguishes the Christian position — enabling understanding, communion, and spiritual power.