Anointing with oil has long been a symbol of consecration and connection with the divine. While baptism and anointing are outward signs of inward transformation, it is important to understand that the Holy Spirit can be received without these symbols. They serve as visible affirmations of spiritual realities that are already at work within the individual.
### **The Scriptural Basis for Anointing**
The act of anointing is deeply rooted in Scripture, where it symbolizes consecration, blessing, and the presence of God:
- *"And he poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him, to consecrate him."* (Leviticus 8:12)
- *"Then take the anointing oil and anoint him by pouring it on his head."* (Exodus 29:7)
- *"It is like fine oil on the head, running down on the beard, running down Aaron’s beard over the collar of his robes."* (Psalm 133:2)
These passages emphasize the importance of the oil as a sign of divine blessing and consecration.
### **Participation of All Believers**
In the Valentinian community, the ritual of anointing reflected their rejection of hierarchical clergy. According to Tertullian:
*"Today one man is bishop and tomorrow another; the person who is a deacon today, tomorrow is a reader; the one who is a priest is a layman tomorrow. For even on the laity they impose the functions of priesthood."* (*Against the Valentinians* 1)
This egalitarian approach extended to all sacred acts, including anointing, where both men and women could perform the ritual. The act was a communal expression of unity and spiritual empowerment, emphasizing that all believers were equally capable of consecrating the oil and performing the anointing.
The **Gospel of Philip** reinforces this belief:
*"The holy person is completely holy, including the person’s body. The holy person who takes up bread consecrates it, and does the same with the cup or anything else the person takes up and consecrates. So how would the person not consecrate the body also?"*
This passage highlights the Valentinian understanding that holiness is inherent in the believer, enabling them to sanctify oil and perform acts of spiritual significance.
### **The Importance of Anointing in the Gospel of Philip**
The **Gospel of Philip** elevates anointing as central to the Christian identity:
*"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."* (74:12-21)
Anointing signifies the believer’s participation in the resurrection, the light, and the Holy Spirit. The text explains:
*"It is from the olive tree that we got the anointing, and from the anointing, the resurrection."*
The oil symbolizes the Spirit of Christ, and its application affirms the believer’s transformation and connection with the divine.
### **Steps to Perform the Anointing Ritual**
1. **Prepare the Oil**: Use pure olive oil, which can be obtained from Amazon or other trusted sources, including those from the Holy Land.
2. **Bless the Oil**: Offer a prayer to consecrate the oil. A simple prayer could include:
*"Come, Holy Spirit, and fill this oil with Your presence. May it be a sign of Your blessing and consecration, bringing light, resurrection, and unity to all who are anointed with it."*
3. **Anoint the Individual**: Pour or apply the oil to the person’s head. Allow it to flow naturally as a symbol of the Spirit’s outpouring.
4. **Recite Prayers**: Include prayers from texts like the **Acts of Thomas**:
*"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, Holy Spirit, and cleanse their heart, and give them the added seal in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit."*
5. **Affirm the Connection**: Remind the individual of their identity as a "Christ," anointed by the Spirit and united with the divine.
### **Anointing as the True Seal of Faith**
The **Acts of Thomas** describes anointing as the seal of God’s Spirit:
*"He commanded them to bring oil, that they might receive the seal by the oil."* (26)
The ritual is a transformative act that confirms the believer’s consecration and entry into the faith. As the **Gospel of Philip** declares:
*"He who has been anointed possesses everything... This is the Kingdom of Heaven."*
### **Conclusion**
The ritual of anointing with oil is a profound expression of faith and spiritual transformation. It symbolizes the outpouring of the Spirit and the believer’s union with Christ, affirming their identity as a member of God’s Kingdom. Rooted in the traditions of the **Gospel of Philip** and the **Acts
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