In the Old Testament, the principle of anointing was revealed in the bestowal of ability through various types, symbols and functions. For example, the high priests had oil poured upon them, as did kings and prophets. Each of these groups had specific roles in ministry which they administrated.
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. 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 the insects would slide off. From this, anointing became symbolic of blessing, protection, and empowerment.
The New Testament Greek words for “anoint” are chrio, which means “to smear or rub with oil” and by implication, “to consecrate for office or religious service”; and aleipho, which means “to anoint.” In Bible times, people were anointed with oil to signify God’s blessing or call on that person’s life. A person was anointed for a special purpose—to be a king, to be a prophet, to be a builder, etc.
How is anointing viewed 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 who can anoint a person for a specific purpose. If we use oil, it is only a symbol of what God is doing.
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 gave 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).
True anointing is the power and influence of the Holy Spirit saturating and permeating a person. It is imperative that leaders move with true Godly anointing, not with a false, questionable or manmade anointing. The anointing of the Holy Spirit makes ministry effective.
The Purposes of the Anointing of the Holy Spirit
“So he sent and had David brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “‘Rise and anoint him; he is the one.’” So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power.” – 1 Samuel 16:12-13
In the Old Testament and the New Testament alike, the anointing spoke of a special action and empowerment by the Holy Spirit.
First, let it be established that God anoints His people. He anointed us – King David, the apostle Paul, you, me, and millions more from then to now receive this Holy Ghost anointing from God.
Again, for what purpose does He confer upon us this anointing, of His Holy Spirit?
This Holy Spirit anointing – comes in the baptism with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5,8; 2:1-4) – it is to give us power to “be [Christ’s] witnesses.” Many Christians fear witnessing because they think they have to do it with their own natural abilities, their own persuasive power. This is incorrect, “You will receive power [to be His witnesses] when the Holy Spirit comes on you.” There are no powerless Christians when they are filled with the Holy Spirit and walking in the anointing of God. The Holy Spirit, makes you a good witness.
THERE ARE FIVE MAIN PURPOSES FOR THE ANOINTING:
1. Anointed For Deliverance
The anointing will enable you to minister deliverance to the captives in the kingdom of darkness.
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.” – Isaiah 61:1
“Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” – Matthew 18:18-19
2. Anointed For Healing
The sick are to be anointed with oil which is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. We as born-again believing children of God have been given the authority and power over every sickness. We have been anointed to destroy sickness in the name of Jesus.
“Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.” – James 5:14-15
Mark emphatically teaches the authority we have through the anointing over sickness and disease,
“He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” – Mark 16:16-18
3. Anointed For Success
The anointing not only empowers but will teach believers to enjoy success and prosperity as they yield to the Holy Spirit.
“But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.” – 1 John 2:27
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” – 3 John 2
4. Anointed For Protection
God gives protection to His anointed, called, and chosen children.
“When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people, He permitted no one to do them wrong; Yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes, saying, “Do not touch My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm.” – Psalm 105:13-15
“‘No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me,’ says the Lord.” – Isaiah 54:17
“And of the angels He says: ‘Who makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire’…Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” – Hebrews 1: 7, 14
5. Anointed For Ministry
When a person has received the baptism of the Holy Spirit from Jesus Christ he will be anointed to fulfill and perform the ministry that has been distributed to him by the Holy Spirit. The believer who has received the anointing has the potential to be very effective in ministering to the hurting, sick, oppressed, depressed, and possessed.
“There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.” – 1 Corinthians 12:4-7
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” – Acts 1:8
“I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” – Mark 1:8
Once you have received the anointing and the baptism of the Holy Spirit you will be empowered to preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God. The anointing comes through the Holy Spirit but you need to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ. Receive from Him today!
Jesus the Anointed One
Throughout the New Testament, we encounter many titles for Jesus of Nazareth—“Son of God,” “Son of Man,” “Lord,” and others. However, the title that is given to Jesus most often in the New Testament is one that is familiar to us, but one that we do not understand well. It is the title “Christ.”
The meaning of Christ is drawn from the Old Testament. God promised the ancient Israelites that a Messiah would come to deliver them from sin. The idea of the Messiah is carried over into the New Testament with the title Christ.
The Greek word Christos, from which we get the English word Christ, is the translation of the Hebrew term Mashiach, which is the source for the English word Messiah. Mashiach, in turn, is related to the Hebrew verb masach, which means “to anoint.” Therefore, when the New Testament speaks of Jesus Christ, it is saying “Jesus the Messiah” which literally means, “Jesus the Anointed One.”
He is the one anointed of the Father to be the Father’s personal representative in all things pertaining to the salvation of mankind.
The Lord has anointed me: (Isaiah 61:1–3)
He has anointed one to preach the gospel: (Luke 4:16–22)
Jesus was anointed by God the Father: (Acts 4:27)
God anointed Jesus of Nazareth: (Acts 10:38)
What is the difference of Jesus being anointed and us being anointed?
Jesus
Jesus is the only anointed man who was able to function with the fullness of the Spirit.
Us
We are anointed to share the life of Christ, the gospel with others so they have an opportunity to come into His kingdom.
“That the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.” (Philemon 6)
The Church
The Church is also anointed. We receive the same Holy Spirit by believing in the anointed one, and His Gospel (Ephesians 1:13).
He is the head of the Church and we are connected to Him as the body by His Spirit. Everyone who is born again is part of the body of Christ and shares the same anointing. The Spirit lives in us, comes upon us for service, and we are able to influence others’ lives by his working.
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