The Holy Spirit Symbolized As Oil

The Holy Spirit is the source and renewal of life, anointing the believer for the offices of prophet, priest and King.

In Leviticus 14:17; 8:30 the oil was mixed with the blood for the dedication of the priest and for the cleansing of the leper. This is significant. Sinners are cleansed by the blood and by the power of the Spirit of God (Romans 8:2-3). The cleansing of the blood is by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Christian fulfills his duties as a Christian through the power of the Holy Spirit; it is “God who works in you, both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). This is taught to us especially through the symbol of the anointing oil. All of this is of course through “Christ” who is the “Anointed One” par excellence; He is the Prophet, the Priest, and the King (Luke 4:18). We who trust in Christ, the Anointed One are Christian’s – the “anointed ones”

There is nothing that we can do in the Christian life that does not need the blessing and help of the Holy Spirit. This is typified in the Old Testament ministry of the Temple; the oil in the Tabernacle gave light (presence of the Holy Spirit) by which the table of Shew Bread was seen and the bread eaten. The offerings that the Israelites made were anointed with oil.

The anointing of oil teaches us that the Holy Spirit is the greatest need of the Christian in any and all circumstances. James teaches that the elders are to anoint the sick with oil. The use of oil is a symbol, not necessarily for the physical healing, but the spiritual blessing, the presence of God in the midst of sickness and in the face of impending death.