The Holy Spirit and the Sacrament of Anointing (Prepared by Servants)

The lecture explains the relationship of the Holy Spirit with God’s work since the beginning of creation, passing through His work in the Old Testament (as the speaker in the prophets and dwelling upon kings, priests, and prophets) and reaching the completion of His work in the New Testament. The holy anointing (Myron/holy chrism) is defined and its function in the apostolic church is stated, and it clarifies how people receive the Holy Spirit (baptism, the laying on of hands, and the sacrament of anointing), as well as explaining the gifts and fruits of the Spirit and His role in the sacraments and the priestly authority and the service of the church.

Main points (detailed summary)

1) The Holy Spirit in the Holy Scriptures

• The mention of the Spirit begins from the Book of Genesis: “and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” In the Old Testament the Spirit is the source of revelation and speaking in the prophets, and at times He rests upon chosen persons (Samson, kings, priests) and grants them gifts and ministry.

• Holy Spirit
• Anointing

2) The anointing (the sacred oil) in the Old Testament

• God commanded the measure and holy anointing in the Book of Exodus, and the anointing was used to anoint priests (Aaron), kings (Saul and David) and prophets (like Elijah and it is mentioned as a sequence: priests, kings, prophets).

3) The coming of the Holy Spirit and the threefold anointing in Christ

• Christ received an anointing for ministry at His baptism and the Spirit descended on Him like a dove, and by it He was granted royal, prophetic and priestly offices.

4) The Holy Spirit in the New Testament — His universality and indwelling

• In the New Testament the Spirit dwells in every believer and is poured upon all (Peter’s sermon on Pentecost), giving gifts, visions and dreams, and making people’s hearts new according to Ezekiel’s prophecy.

5) How to receive the Holy Spirit in the apostolic church

• Ways of receiving: baptism, the laying on of hands by the apostles or their successors, and the sacrament of anointing (Myron). A clear distinction between the sacrament of baptism and the sacrament of the Spirit’s coming.
• Biblical examples: Acts (8, 19, 13) where people receive the Spirit by laying on of hands or by the apostolic anointing.

6) The succession of the laying on of hands and its apostolic importance

• The succession of laying on of hands links the servants of the church to the apostolic church; the bishop receives from the patriarch, the priest receives from the bishop, etc., so that faith and authority remain continued to the apostles.

7) Differentiation of types of laying on of hands

• Laying on of hands for priesthood (with specific prayers and formula), laying on of hands for blessing, for healing, and for the Spirit’s coming — each is defined by the type of prayer and utterance that accompanies it.

8) The work of the Holy Spirit in the sacraments and ministry

• The Holy Spirit works in all the sacraments: in baptism He gives new birth, in Myron He gives indwelling and lasting sanctity, in confession He gives the forgiveness, in the Eucharist He changes bread and wine, in priesthood He gives priestly authority, and in the anointing of the sick He gives healing.
• The Spirit gives the gifts (1 Corinthians 12) and the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and enables ministry with His power and guidance.

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