The Anointing

I.  The scope of the anointing.

     All true believers are anointed.  Therefore, no one can claim a greater or lesser anointing than that received by any other Christian.

II.  The security of the anointing.

     This anointing is an unfailing gift from the Holy One.  All believers have received and continue to have this anointing.

III.  The source of the anointing.

     The anointing comes from "the Holy One."  There is some difference of opinion as to whether "the Holy One" is a reference to God the Father or the Lord Jesus Christ.  All in all I think it more likely to be a reference to Jesus, but in essence since He and the Father are One (see John 10), it makes little difference.  The anointing of the believer comes from God!

IV.  The Spirit of the anointing.

     The Holy Spirit is the person with whom the believer is anointed.  What Paul speaks of as the baptism with the Spirit, John refers to as "the anointing."

V.  The substance of the anointing.

     The Holy Spirit gives all believers the knowledge of the Word of God and the ability to discern truth from error, right doctrine from false doctrine, right from wrong on the basis of that Word.