THE ANOINTING

"How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him." (Acts 10:38)

So what is the anointing? What does it mean to be anointed?"
                                                                                                                                   

The origin of anointing was from a practice of shepherds. Lice and other insects would often get into the wool of sheep, and when they got near the sheep's head, they could burrow into the sheep's ears and kill the sheep. So, ancient shepherds poured oil on the sheep's head. This made the wool slippery, making it impossible for insects to get near the sheep's ears because they would just slide off. From this, anointing became symbolic of blessing, protection, and empowerment.                                      . 

The basic meaning of the word “anoint” is “to smear or rub with oil and by implication to consecrate for office or religious service”. In Bible times, people were anointed with oil to signify God’s blessing or call on that person’s life (Exodus 29:7; Exodus 40:9; 2 Kings 9:6; Ecclesiastes 9:8; James 5:14). Anointing, as described in the Bible, can be defined as "God on flesh doing those things that flesh cannot do." It is God doing those things only He can do, and doing them through a flesh-and-blood, an earthly vessel (see 2 Corinthians 4:7).  

Old times

A person was anointed for a special purpose—to be a king, to be a prophet, to be a builder, etc. In the Old Testament, someone who was anointed by God for special service to God had oil poured or smeared on him. For instance, Saul, and later David, was anointed with oil by the prophet Samuel when God revealed He had chosen him to be king of Israel. When King Saul rebelled against God and tried to kill David, David refused to harm him because Saul was "the Lord's anointed" (I Samuel 24:6). To be anointed by God is not only to be picked, but also to be empowered by Him for the task or position to which He has called you.

Today

There is nothing wrong with anointing a person with oil today. We just have to make sure that the purpose of anointing is in agreement with Scripture. Anointing should not be viewed as a "magic potion." The oil itself does not have any power. It is only God that can anoint a person for a specific purpose. If we use oil, it is only a symbol of what God is doing. The anointing is God's presence by the Holy Spirit. The anointing on Jesus was by the Holy Spirit (see Luke 4:18; Acts 10:38). The anointing we have received from Jesus is by the Holy Spirit. (Compare 1John 2:20, 26-27; John 14:26.) The anointing is God's Spirit and power for service on this earth. Jesus has provided the same presence of the Holy Spirit for us in our earthly ministries that He had in His earthly ministry!

Another meaning for the word anointed is "chosen one." The Bible says that Jesus Christ was anointed by God with the Holy Spirit to spread the Good News and free those who have been held captive by sin (Luke 4:18-19; Acts 10:38). After Christ left the earth, He left us the gift of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16). Now all Christians are anointed, chosen for a specific purpose in furthering God's Kingdom (1 John 2:20). "Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee" (2 Corinthians 1:21-22).

The anointing is God's presence by the Holy Spirit. The anointing on Jesus was by the Holy Spirit (see Luke 4:18; Acts 10:38). The anointing we have received from Jesus is by the Holy Spirit. (Compare I John 2:20, 26-27; John 14:26.) The anointing is God's Spirit and power for service on this earth. Jesus has provided the same presence of the Holy Spirit for us in our earthly ministries that He had in His earthly ministry!

If you're "in Christ," there's an anointing for everything you're called to do, no matter how small or how great the task. That's what the Apostle Paul meant when he said, "I can do all things through Christ (the Anointed and His Anointing) which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13). Paul was talking about the anointing. The same anointing that enabled you to be born again will heal your body, help you succeed in business, and empower you to prosper spirit, soul, body and in every aspect of your life. (See Luke 5:20-24).

The Bible

Nowhere in the Bible is the anointing ever portrayed as a mystic force that sends people hurling to the floor, into convulsions, fits of hysterical laughter, or episodes of “holy rolling”. Yet today, these phenomena are readily attributed to the “anointing”. Neither is it presented as physical sensation which can be “felt”. Due to ignorance, many Christians mistake the anointing for common sensations such as goose bumps or adrenaline rushes, which even the ungodly experience.

In a different sense, anyone used by God for any purpose was referred to as God’s anointed. This included prophets, priests, rulers and even pagan kings like Cyrus. Jesus is referred to as the Christ or the Anointed One. Thus the anointing was related in part to function performed as well as office held. In other words God anointed those whom He appointed.

Anointing for Purpose

Jesus began His ministry not by being anointed with oil but by the Holy Spirit. The anointing is a Divine enablement for us to accomplish God’s purposes on earth. God’s work cannot be done through human might and power, only by His Spirit. His Spirit works in us and through us by anointing us. The anointing has a two-fold purpose - It works in us and through us. Firstly, the anointing works in us by teaching us God’s ways and conforming us to His likeness. Secondly, it works through us by giving supernatural ability to do God’s work (witnessing, preaching, teaching, etc.). It is useful to note that since different believers have different purposes, they are anointed and equipped differently. An evangelist is equipped to win the lost, a pastor to lead the ‘flock’, and a singer to minister comfort, etc.

If everyone ministered with their anointing there would be no mental burnout or fatigue. Those things happen only when people take too much upon themselves. In the same way a car without oil would eventually shut down; a human being cannot do God’s work without God’s help. With the anointing, preachers would not have to force people to take heed, and singers would not have to push a crowd to worship. Evangelists would not have to fabricate figures to make their ministries look impressive, people would be genuinely saved. The anointing would also save a church from formalism. Formalism is the destiny of any organization that attempts to do God’s work through human strength alone.

Obedience! That’s all

The first step to ministering with the anointing is being filled with the Holy Spirit. Then as one begins to obey God’s perfect will, one becomes more entrusted with the anointing. Man is never commanded to be anointed, neither is he rebuked for not being powerful enough. But he is told to obey. The anointing is God’s job, not man’s. He will anoint those whom He appoints, as they submit to His will in humble obedience.

"But the anointing which you have received of him abides in you and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him." (1Jn:2:27). Amen!