Correspondence: Anointing vs. Sealing; Abba vs. Father

From: Young Christian: Volume 12, 1922

Narrator: Chris Genthree

2 Corinthians 1:21‑22 • 1 min. read • grade level: 6

Question: What is the difference between “anointing” and “sealing”? What does each mean? (2 Cor. 1:21, 22²¹Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; ²²Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. (2 Corinthians 1:21‑22)). J. D.

Answer: Believers are spoken of as “anointed,” “sealed,” and “given the earnest of the Spirit.” The Holy Spirit dwelling in us is all three.

As the Anointing, He is our power for service (Acts 10:38³⁸How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. (Acts 10:38)), and for discerning the mind of God (1 John 2:20, 27²⁰But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. (1 John 2:20)
²⁷But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. (1 John 2:27)).

As the Seal, the Holy Spirit marks us out as redeemed ones (Eph. 1:13; 4:30¹³In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, (Ephesians 1:13)
³⁰And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30)). When Jesus, our blessed Redeemer, was sealed, it marked Him out as a perfect, sinless man.

As the Earnest, the Holy Spirit is the pledge or assurance of the glory to come (2 Cor. 5:5⁵Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 5:5); Eph. 1:14¹⁴Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:14)).

Question: Please give the meaning of the name “Abba.” (Mark 14:36³⁶And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. (Mark 14:36); Rom. 8:15¹⁵For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (Romans 8:15); Gal. 4:6⁶And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. (Galatians 4:6)). What is the difference between it and “Father”? L. S.

Answer: Both words mean “Father” written in two languages. The Lord Jesus thus uses it to express in the fullest way the intimacy and love of His relationship with His Father.

The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of adoption, also called the “Spirit of His Son,” is given to all true believers now, that this intimacy and love and knowledge of the Father might be their continual enjoyment.

“As He is, so are we in this world.” 1 John 4:17¹⁷Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. (1 John 4:17).

“Higher and higher yet!

Pleading that same life-blood;

We taste the love that knows no let,

Of Abba, as of God.”

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