“You have an unction from the Holy One and you know all things.”

“The anointing which you have received of him abides in you, and you need not that any man teaches you: but as the same anointing teaches you of all things and is truth and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, you shall abide in him.” 1 John 2:20,27

These words unction and anointing awaken in intelligent Bible students’ recollections of the holy anointing oil poured upon the heads of each successor to the offices of High Priest and King in Israel. As the people of Israel were typical of “the true Israel of God,” so their priests and kings were typical of Christ, the great antitypical High Priest and King.

And as their priests and kings were anointed with the “holy anointing oil” as an induction into office, so our Lord Jesus was anointed with the holy Spirit at the time of his consecration. He thus became the Christ – the anointed of Jehovah.

The elect church is to be a “royal priesthood” (king-priests) under their Lord and Head – “members of the body of the Anointed [the Christ].” The holy Spirit of anointing which came to our Lord Jesus at his baptism at Jordan, and with “all power in heaven and in earth,” when he was raised from the dead by the holy Spirit or power of the Father (Matt 28:18; Eph 1:19,20), he with the Father’s approval “shed forth” or poured out as the antitypical anointing oil upon the representatives of his Church at Pentecost. There (keeping in thought the type) the anointing oil passed from the “Head” to his “body,” the Church, and thenceforth the faithful, abiding in the body, were recognized in the divine Word as “the very elect” of God, anointed of him (in Christ) to rule and bless the world after being first “taught of God” under the guidance of the anointing Spirit.

The signification of unction (and of its Greek original chrisma) is smoothness, oiliness, lubrication. From custom the word carried with it also the thought of fragrance, perfume. How beautifully and forcefully this word represents the effect of God’s influence toward goodness, upon those who come under this antitypical anointing – holiness, gentleness, patience, brotherly kindness – love! What a sweet, pure perfume does this anointing of the holy Spirit of love bring with it to all who receive it!

However ungainly or coarse or rude or ignorant the outer man, “the earthen vessel,” how speedily it partakes of the sweetening and purifying influence of the treasure of the “new heart,” the new will within – anointed with the holy Spirit and brought into harmony with “whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely!” Phil 4:8

These words “unction” and “anointing” are in full accord with the correct view of the holy Spirit – that it is an influence from God, an invisible power of God exercised through his precepts, his promises, or otherwise as may seem good to the all-wise omnipotent One. These words certainly DO NOT convey the thought of a person.

How could we be anointed with a person?

But someone perhaps will suggest that in the expression, “an unction from the Holy One,” not the unction but the Holy One represents the holy Spirit.

We answer, no; the Holy One spoken of here is the Father. Peter, describing the Pentecostal blessing, declares that it was “shed forth” or poured out – as anointing oil, but not as a person would be said to be sent.

He says, speaking of Jesus, “Having received of the Father the holy Spirit promised [in Joel] he hath shed forth this which you see and hear” – this miraculous power or holy influence which manifests itself variously, in quickening thoughts, in tongues of flame and divers languages uttered by unlearned men. Again, Joel’s prophecy was “I will pour out my Spirit.”

Can anyone claim that this would be appropriate language to use respecting any person? That he was given by the Father to the Son, and that he was poured or shed forth and seen and heard as “this“?

Surely not. And surely such language would be disrespectful, if applied to a third person of a trinity of Gods “equal in power and glory.”

The item however which strikes everyone as most astounding is that those who have this unction “know all things.”

How many of the Lord’s people have felt absolutely certain that they did not “know all things,” and therefore doubted if they had received the anointing of the holy Spirit!

How the matter is simplified when translated, “You have an unction (the holy disposition or influence shed forth within you) from the Holy One (the Father) and YOU ALL KNOW IT!“* Yes, indeed; all the true children of God know very well the difference between the natural mind or heart or will and the new heart, new mind, new disposition, controlled by love and righteousness.

*The words “all things” are omitted by oldest Greek MSS.

And how many of God’s best and humblest children have read with amazement the words, “The anointing (the holy spirit or disposition) which you have received of him (the Holy One, the Father) abides in you and you need not that any man teaches you!”

Alas! they said, we have received no such anointing, for we have very much need that some man teaches us, and know very little that has not come to us either directly or indirectly through human instrumentality. And these humble souls would feel greatly cast down and discouraged by reason of their honesty of thought, did they not see that the very best of the saints of their acquaintance similarly need and appreciate human teachers.

On the other hand, some of the less honest, less candid, less saintly, endeavor to deceive themselves and others by claiming that they have learned nothing of men but have been taught all they know by direct inspiration of the holy Spirit. They see not that they are thus claiming infallibility for their thoughts and words, in the most absolute sense. They fail, too, to see that their errors of thought, word and deed, claimed to be under plenary inspiration of the holy Spirit, reflect against God’s holy Spirit, as the author of their errors and follies.

Taking this passage just as it stands, it contradicts the general testimony of Scripture.

Does not the Apostle Paul mention among the Spirit’s gifts to the Church – apostles, prophets [orators], pastors, teachers, evangelists?

And why give these if the Church had no need that any man teaches them?

What does the Apostle say of the reason for setting these special gifts in the Church?

Hear him: “For the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God.” (Eph 4:11-13) Compare 1 Cor 12:28-31.

“And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the [a]best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.” (E281)

Continued with next post.