Anointing in the Gospel of Philip

Anointing in the Gospel of Philip 

The anointing is superior to baptism, for it is from the word "anointing" that we have been called "Christians," certainly not because of the word "baptism". And it is because of the anointing that "the Christ" has his name. For the Father anointed the Son, and the Son anointed the apostles, and the apostles anointed us. He who has been anointed possesses everything. He possesses the resurrection, the light, the cross, the Holy Spirit. The Father gave him this in the bridal chamber; he merely accepted (the gift). The Father was in the Son and the Son in the Father. This is the Kingdom of Heaven. (Gospel of Philip)

anointing is a main area of interest in The Gospel of Philip. The number of ritual services in The Gospel of Philip is five. In verses 67.28-30 they are “a baptism and an anointing of oil and a eucharist and a redemption and a bridal chamber

GPh 67:27–30:“The Lord did everything like a mystery: baptism, chrism, Eucharist, redemption and bridal chamber.”

It is clear, however, that this text does not speak about “mysteries” in the sense of sacraments, but about the hidden, symbolic meaning of the Saviour’s deeds in the world. (Einar Thomassen)

Truth did not come into the world naked, but it came in types and images. The world cannot receive truth in any other way. There is a rebirth and an image of rebirth. It is necessary to be born again truly through the image. How is it with the resurrection and the image? Through the image it must rise. The bridal chamber and the image? Through the image one must enter the truth: this is the restoration.

anointing--A symbolic expression of the pouring out of the spirit on one who has faith in God

,anointing oil--pure oil of olives blessed by an elder. anointing oil is used in consecrating the body with the living Spirit of Christ. "But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face" (Matt. 6:17).

anointing with the spirit of Christ, The Christ consciousness, which is poured over a believer, making him holy or a perfect whole. " You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Christ. Rom 8:9

2 cor 1:20. Therefore also through him is the “Amen” [said] to God for glory through us. 21 But he who guarantees that YOU and we belong to Christ and he who has anointed us is God. 22 He has also put his seal upon us and has given us the token of what is to come, that is, the spirit, in our hearts.

1 John 2:27 27 And as for YOU, the anointing that YOU received from him remains in YOU, and YOU do not need anyone to be teaching YOU; but, as the anointing from him is teaching YOU about all things, and is true and is no lie, and just as it has taught YOU, remain in union with him

According to the Gospel of Philip, anointing is even more important than baptism:

The anointing is superior to baptism, for from the word “anointing” that we have been called “Christians,” certainly not because of the word “baptism.”  And it is because of the anointing that “the Christ” has his name…He who has been anointed possesses everything.  He possesses the resurrection, the light, the cross, the Holy Spirit.  (74:12-21.)

The anointing, a ritual anointing with sacred olive oil, was what allowed a believer to truly be termed a Christian and allowed those chosen to move past the world to an eventual resurrection.

However, it is from the olive tree that we got the anointing, and from the anointing, the resurrection.

 Olive oil was generally used for anointing it consisted of pure oil of olives, and it must be blessed

although baptism is often seen as the major expression of a convert’s faith, Philip regarded it as far less important than the anointing—it is only with the anointing that a convert can truly be termed a Christian.  Receiving this title is the most immediate effect of anointing.

If somebody says: I am a Jew, nobody is going to move. If somebody says: I am a Roman, nobody will be confused either…But if I say: I am a Christian, everybody will tremble. May I obtain this sign…which the rulers will not be able to endure, that is, the name.

Notice that the name “Christian” (coming only after the anointing) is one that will make everyone tremble and the “rulers” “will not endure hearing.”

The fire is the anointing, the light is the fire.
The anointing oil was considered symbolic of the Light (Gospel of Philip 65:22-24, 67:2-8)

It is through water and fire that the whole place is purified - the visible by the visible, the hidden by the hidden. There are some things hidden through those visible. There is water within water, there is fire within the oil of anointing.

It is from water and fire and light that the son of the bridal chamber (came into being). The fire is the anointing, the light is the fire.

Through the Holy Spirit we are indeed begotten again, but we are begotten through Christ in the two. We are anointed through the Spirit. When we were begotten, we were united. None can see himself either in water or in a mirror without light. Nor again can you see in light without mirror or water. For this reason, it is fitting to baptise in the two, in the light and the water. Now the light is the anointing.

I believe the baptism and anointing happen at the same time or ceremony I think this is confirm from the above readings

In the Acts of Thomas, the anointing is the beginning of the baptismal ritual and essential to becoming a Christian, as it says "that the God whom thou preachest knoweth his own sheep by his seal" (Acts of Thomas Chapter 26)

and that the seal is received through the oil: 

"And he commanded them to bring oil, that they might receive the seal by the oil." (Acts of Thomas Chapter 26)

Acts of Thomas 27 And the apostle arose and sealed them. And the Lord was revealed unto them by a voice, saying: Peace be unto you brethren. And they heard his voice only, but his likeness they saw not, for they had not yet received the added sealing of the seal (Syr. had not been baptized). And the apostle took the oil and poured it upon their heads and anointed and chrismed them, and began to say (Syr. And Judas went up and stood upon the edge of the cistern and poured oil upon their heads and said):

Come, thou holy name of the Christ that is above every name.

Come, thou power of the Most High, and the compassion that is perfect.

Come, gift (charism) of the Most High.

Come, compassionate mother.

Come, communion of the male.

Come, she that revealeth the hidden mysteries.

Come, mother of the seven houses, that thy rest may be in the eighth house.

Come, elder of the five members, mind, thought, refiection, consideration, reason; communicate with these young men.

Come, holy spirit, and cleanse their reins and their heart, and give them the added seal, in the name of the Father and Son and Holy Ghost. (Acts of Thomas Chapter 27)

 In baptism and anointing, the person was sealed with the names Father, Son and Holy Spirit. As a result the person was not only considered a Christian, but a "Christ"

Those who receive the name of the father, son, and holy spirit and have accepted them must do this. If someone does not accept them, the name will also be taken from that person. A person receives them in the chrism with the oil of the power of the cross. The apostles called this power the right and the left. This person is no longer a Christian but is Christ.

"Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit…You must be born again." (John 3:5-7)

The new life that allows us to start out with God comes through a spiritual birth provided by the Holy Spirit. "Unless one is born of…the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." Just as man must be physically born into the human family, so man must be spiritually born into God's family. There is no other option. That is why Jesus said, "You must be born again."

The reason spiritual new birth is a necessity is because "that which is born of the flesh is flesh." Natural human birth can only produce a natural life. Becoming a child of God involves a supernatural life that God alone can provide.

it is only after the anointing that one becomes “Christian” in the fullest sense of the word. The ritual anointing established, for its receiver, direct communication from the Holy Spirit and the convert becomes a christ, an “anointed” member of God’s kingdom.

The Gospel of Philip teaches that a person only becomes a Christian by the Anointing not baptism. It is only with the receiver of the anointing that a follower of Jesus can truly be called a Christian.

The Anointing is the seal or confirmation that a believer is a Christian