Most early Church historians agree on the fact that it was a custom in the early church to pray and believe for every new convert to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Documented accounts show several early Church fathers to have believed that the infilling of the Holy Spirit was the signature of a true disciple of Christ.  In Acts eleven, it says, "And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch" (Acts 11:26b). We often read this and understand it to simply mean they were followers of Christ.  But according to Theophilus of Antioch, who in 170 A.D. wrote concerning these words, said: "The name Christian is derived from the Greek word for oil, CHRISM, and it means "anointed one."  He went on to say, "it referred to those followers of Christ who were anointed with the Spirit." 

Being nearly two thousand years removed from the days of the early church, we miss the significance of this thought.  According to the writings of the Apostle Paul, this anointing is called the "seal" of the Holy Spirit.  In fact, it was commonly called "The Lord's Seal" or "The Lord's Signature."  The practice of laying on of hands, and the use of anointing with oil, were customary to the early church fathers.  Furthermore, it was believed upon that once a person accepted Christ as his personal Lord and Savior, he was baptized in water, and administered the laying on of hands in order to receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit.  This ceremony of anointing of oil was called, "The Signaculum" and it was officially designated as "the sealing." 

Here is the amazing part that should stir our hearts.  This sealing was understood and recognized by all believers.  Theophilus went on to say, "We are called Christians because we are anointed with the unction of God."  The very seal of the Holy Spirit was far more than just a symbol; it became the mark of divine ownership. For anyone to claim his place in Christ he had to have the distinguishing mark of the unction.

It is important that we understand that the unction is the divine quickening of the Holy Spirit.  It is the inspiration of God that comes because of enlightenment by the Holy Spirit.  We can feel the unction of God dwelling in us.  We can sing under its influence.  We can witness, we can pray, and we can also preach by its dynamic and pervading force.

Listen to the words of Cyprian of Carthage, who was the Bishop of Carthage in 253 A.D. "Some say in regard to those who were baptized in Samaria (Acts 8:5-17),that when the apostles Peter and John came there only hands were imposed on them so that they might receive the Holy Spirit, and that they were not re-baptized. But we see, dearest brother, that this situation in no way pertains to the present case. Those in Samaria who had believed had believed in the true faith, and it was by the deacon Philip, whom those same apostles had sent there, that they had been baptized inside-in the Church. . . . Since, then, they had already received a legitimate and ecclesiastical baptism, it was not necessary to baptize them again. Rather, that only which was lacking was done by Peter and John. The prayer having been made over them and hands having been imposed upon them, the Holy Spirit was invoked and was poured out upon them. This is even now the practice among us, so that those who are baptized in the Church then are brought to the prelates of the Church; through our prayer and the imposition of hands, they receive the Holy Spirit and are perfected with the seal of the Lord." 

We are enjoined by many, who having received this same seal of God, can testify that the unction is the anointing of the Holy Spirit both within and upon.  In First John two, verse twenty-seven, we find an awesome interpretation of the anointing recorded in the Amplified Bible.  It reads: "But as for you, the anointing (the sacred appointment, the unction) which you received from Him abides [permanently] in you; [so] then you have no need that anyone should instruct you. But just as His anointing teaches you concerning everything and is true and is no falsehood, so you must abide in (live in, never depart from) Him [being  rooted in Him, knit to Him], just as [His anointing] has taught you [to do]".  This sacred seal should be as clear to us as when one proposes to the person they love by providing them with an engagement ring.  It marks them as being spoken for.  In that moment, they are intrinsically tied together by the seal of their engagement until the day of their official wedding. 

The true Bride of Christ is engaged in a relationship with her bridegroom, and has the Lord's Signature, the unction of the Holy Spirit.  It is what ties her to him and makes her his own.