The Anointing

I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. But the anointing that you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as His anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in Him. 1 John 2:26-27 ESV

Direct word for word translation from Greek to English:
I have written these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. And (as for) you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But just as [His] true and genuine anointing teaches you about all things, [so] remain in Him as you have been taught.

Anointing = chrisma. From Biblehub: “The term “chrisma” refers to an anointing, typically with oil, symbolizing consecration or empowerment by the Holy Spirit. In the New Testament, it is used metaphorically to describe the spiritual anointing that believers receive from God, which imparts knowledge and discernment. In the early Christian context, “chrisma” came to represent the spiritual anointing by the Holy Spirit, marking believers as belonging to Christ and equipping them for service and understanding of divine truths.”

What is this ‘anointing’?

And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put His seal on us and given us His Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. 2 Corinthians 1:21-23

Anointing oil was always a symbol of the Holy Spirit. Consecration. Sanctification. Empowerment. Set apart for holy service before the Lord Most High.

We’ve all heard of the “mark” in Revelation coming from the anti-Christ system (Revelation 13:17, 14:11, 16:2, 19:20). This mark of the beast is only a counterfeit of the real ‘mark’ that Jesus has set into/onto His “family” which IS the Holy Spirit. From my life experience it seems this ‘mark’ of the Holy Spirit is VERY recognizable in the spirit realm.

So questions immediately begin swirling in my mind, like where are the teachers (gifts from Jesus to the ekklesia) who are teaching us how to listen to and hear the Holy Spirit within us? How does the Holy Spirit speak to us and how do we correctly discern Him? These are things I learned only from Him as I was raised in an essentially doctrinally Cessationist Mennonite Brethren Church, and when I was ‘baptized’ in the Holy Spirit just 3 days prior to my healing by Jesus – the clarity of His Voice in my mind was so evident to me immediately after that event. But I had NO ‘teacher’ to teach me His ways (fruit) or His gifts, but the scriptures, as my home church never taught on these subjects.

I have found that most of the institutional Church models of teaching including all of the Pentecostal and Charismatic churches as well do a poor job of explaining the things of the Spirit in their ‘services’. Of course, there are many books on the subject of the Holy Spirit and His fruit and gifts as I have read many of them throughout the years, but there is NOTHING that can compare to the inner witness and Voice of the Holy Spirit teaching you about Himself just as the opening scripture confirms. But this means you MUST abide in Him, moment by moment throughout your day. Being open to His words, instructions, direction, counsel, and warnings. You must learn to listen and obey quickly His advice and instruction to you if you want to grow into spiritual maturity with Him. You must have a VERY open heart and quick obedience to His conviction and His call for your repentance in direct matters He points out to you.

Where are the ‘gifts’ from Jesus to the Church today (Ephesians 4:11-12)? Is Jesus only supplying pastors and teachers now? Has Jesus changed His ways and no longer follows what scripture says? Of course not. Jesus is STILL giving ALL His gifts to the ekklesia (Church) but is the spiritual leadership in those institutional Churches able to recognize those gifts?

What about your Church?