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Response
The term “anointing” can be a contentious topic in certain Christian circles. While some approach it with caution, others use it in ways that deviate from biblical teachings. It is not uncommon to see certain Christians seeking an additional “anointing” in pursuit of more power. However, we should neither be overly wary of the term nor misapply it. Instead, we should refer to the Scriptures to grasp the significance of the anointing for us.
In 1 John 2:27, the idea of anointing is applied to Christians. It reads, “As for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as His anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in Him.” This verse is linked to verse 20, which informs us that we “have an anointing from the Holy One.”
These two verses indicate that the source of the anointing is God. John assures his readers that they already possess this anointing—there is no need to search for it—and that it is adequate to guide them in all they need to understand. Does the anointing suggest that we do not need teachers? This interpretation would contradict the fact that John himself is instructing his readers through the letter. In this context, the apostle is specifically cautioning against false teachers.
John encourages his readers to depend on the anointing from God to avoid deception. Many scholars agree that, when John wrote his letters and gospel account, the early church was dealing with division caused by Gnostics. The Gnostics were mainly known for their dualistic beliefs and claims of possessing esoteric knowledge. They upheld the separation of the spiritual and material realms, viewing the latter as evil. As a result, they rejected the incarnation of Christ and asserted that Jesus never came in the flesh. This clarifies John’s emphasis on the humanity of Jesus.
The purpose of God’s anointing is to protect genuine Christians from the teachings of false teachers. John describes the latter as antichrists and liars because they deny the complete truth about Jesus, “Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.”, (1 John 2:22). However, all genuine Christians possess this anointing, indicating that they have the truth. Thus, while the Gnostics claim special knowledge, John reminds his readers that the anointing they possess is enough to teach them. There is no need to seek the esoteric ways of Gnosticism.
So, what is this anointing that God bestows upon every believer? At the moment of salvation, every Christian receives the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38;Galatians 3:2;Ephesians 1:13-14;Romans 8:9). The anointing refers to the presence and empowering work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Wherever the Holy Spirit dwells, the anointing remains. This means that all genuine Christians are anointed, with no distinction among them. While we possess different gifts (1 Corinthians 12:8-11;Romans 12:6-18;1 Peter 4:10-11) and vary in our maturity, the anointing remains the same for all Christians.
What does this mean for us today? First, we should rest in the truth that we all have the anointing, which represents the presence and influence of the Holy Spirit. This is the power upon which we rely to lead godly lives and carry out God’s work (John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 2:10-12; Luke 12:12). We also live the Christian life by following His desires (Galatians 5:16-18). Sound Bible teachers can provide us with valuable insight, but they should not go beyond or contradict the written Word. Anyone who denies the core teachings revealed by the Spirit in Scripture is a false teacher.
