The word translated anointing in the Old Testament is Mashah, which simply means to smear. In the Bible we see that this was accomplished by the act of either rubbing or pouring the anointing oil upon the object or person being anointed. The Anointing was the result of being smeared with oil.
The word translated anointing in the New Testament is Chrio, which is always a symbolic smearing, not an actual smearing with oil as in the Old Covenant. This is because in the New Covenant we are anointed with the Holy Spirit, not with oil. Again, just as in the Old Covenant, the Anointing is the result of being anointed.
It is extremely important to understand that there are a few substantial differences in how the anointing operates in the New Covenant compared to how it operated in the Old Covenant. One of the biggest differences is that in the Old Covenant, one was anointed with oil, a type of the Holy Spirit, whereas in the New Covenant, one is anointed with the Holy Spirit. There are no more types and shadows in the New Covenant. The other big difference is that in the Old Covenant only a select few were anointed, whereas in the New Covenant, all Born Again believers are anointed. What does remain the same in both covenants is that the “anointing” is the result of someone being “anointed”.
You must realize that no matter how misunderstood the anointing is in this modern age, it was no great mystery back in Biblical times. As a matter of fact, the practice of anointing people and objects was just as common back then as the acts of spreading or smearing are today. Back in the days of the Bible if someone were smearing butter on their bread, they would say they were anointing their bread with butter. However, when the process of anointing was used in the kingdom of God, it indicated that someone or something was now marked and set apart for a specific service to the Lord.
We are at a real disadvantage in these modern times regarding our ability to comprehend the true meaning of the words which so powerfully describe our salvation. Words we use constantly in our services, messages, teachings, and everyday conversations as Christians, are so often misunderstood and misinterpreted by sincere believers. Anointing, Grace, Redemption, Justification, and even Salvation, were all common everyday words which had real meaning to the people of those times. Therefore, when God used these words and others like them to teach and define His kingdom, the early church knew full well what God was saying. In this day and time these words have become almost completely exclusive to the church. As a result of us not being acquainted with the original use of these words, we as the church have somehow redefined them. There may be no greater example of this than with the word, “anointing”.