The anointing is one of the most popular yet misunderstood terms in the Bible. This article outlines what the Bible teaches about the anointing.
Main Points
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- The anointing does not cause you to fall down.
- Charismatics use the word anointing to mean divine empowerment.
- The Holy Spirit empowers us to do His work.
- We don’t have to TRY to be anointed – it is automatic.
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The anointing is not a a mystic force
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. Many preachers prey on this ignorance through crowd control techniques that stir people in their emotions. They then claim to be anointed.
But what exactly is the anointing?
Anointing in the OT
To anoint means to smear on or to rub. In the Old Testament, people, animals, and objects were literally anointed or rubbed with oil. This was done for many purposes. Sheep were anointed to protect them from blood sucking insects. A shield would be anointed to maintain its physical properties. Officials were anointed as a sign of consecration.
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 in the NT
1 John 2:20 But you have an anointing (charisma) from the Holy One, and you know all things.
1 John 2:27 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.
The Greek word for anointing in 1 John 2 is charisma. This is the same root word used for the gifts of the Holy Spirit (charismaton). So the anointing can be considered to be a divine enablement to do God’s work. The purpose of the gifts of the Spirit are to enable his people for ministry. John was speaking specifically about the gift of discernment and knowledge. However, there are other gifts that enable you to do different works.
Jesus began His ministry not by being anointed with oil but by the Holy Spirit. His office was that of Messiah and His anointing was to perform functions associated with that. It is that concept of the anointing that applies today. Government officials are still called God’s anointed in the sense that they are appointed for a specific task, but the church can experience a deeper anointing by the Holy Spirit.
Divine enablement
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. However we are co-laborers with Him. His Spirit works in us and through us by anointing us. The anointing has a two-fold purpose. 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 and giftings, they are anointed and equipped differently. An evangelist is equipped to win the lost, a pastor to lead his flock, and a singer to minister comfort, etc.
God working in us to will and do of His good pleasure
Philippians 2:13, For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
If every one 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 can not 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 prod a crowd to worship. These are automatic responses to the anointing. 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.
The anointing is automatic
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. All we have to do is the work that God commands us to do. God will provide as much power as we need.
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