Question: What is the difference between “anointing” and “sealing”? What does each mean? (2 Cor. 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 10:38), and for discerning the mind of God (1 John 2:20, 27).
As the Seal, the Holy Spirit marks us out as redeemed ones (Eph. 1:13; 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. 5:5; Eph. 1:14).
Question: Please give the meaning of the name “Abba.” (Mark 14:36; Rom. 8:15; Gal. 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 4:17.
“Higher and higher yet!
Pleading that same life-blood;
We taste the love that knows no let,
Of Abba, as of God.”