True meaning of Biblical Anointing

True meaning of Biblical Anointing

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I have been moved to discuss with you some of the distinctive features of the Pentecostal Churches Globally. I am on their beliefs in the Holy Spirit and giftings for ministry. I have already written on classification of apostles in the Bible.  My thought today is on anointing. The anointing is one of the most misused terminologies in the church today.

 Anointing is Not merely falling, shouting or eloquence, it isn't shaking, pushing, laughter, dancing or any physical manifestation display by someone in prayer or laying of hands nor pouring oils on people. 

What then is the Anointing?

The anointing is God pouring His Holy Spirit into and unto our lives as we consecrate ourselves to Him enabling us to serve Him and also to impart it to others we come into contact with. This is seen in the following activities.

1. It is the outflow of the power of the Holy Spirit in one’s life. This
is what Jesus talked about in John 7:38-39

2. The ministry of the Holy Spirit or the outflow of the operations of the Holy Spirit.

a. The word anointing appears 3 times in the New Testament
(James 5:14; John 2:20,27).

b. Anointed appears 12 times

c. Anoint appears 5 times (Mt. 6:17; Mk. 1623).

Other Terminologies for the Anointing

1. Power of the Holy Spirit (Lk 4:14)

2. Full of the Spirit (Acts 6:3)

3. Full of faith and of the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:5)

4. Full of God’s grace and of power (Acts 6:8)

5. Full of the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:55)

6. Great grace (Acts 4:33)

The baptism in the Holy Spirit is a once and for all experience,
while the “anointing’ “being filled” or “being full of the Spirit” is a
continuous process.

The Anointing in the Old Testament

In the Old Testament, special persons like kings, prophets and priests, as well as other sacred items were anointed with physical oil. 

1. The tabernacle and holy items were anointed in Exodus 40:9-15

2. Prophets (1 Kgs. 19:16; Ps 105:15)

3. Kings (1 Kgs. 19216; 1 Sam 16:1,2,12, Psalms 89:20)

4. Priests (Ex. 30;30; 29:4-7)

Jesus and the Anointing

1. Christ means the anointed One (Mashiyach - Messiah)

2. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit (Lk 1:35)

3. The Holy Spirit came upon Him in His childhood (Lk 2:52)

4. The Holy Spirit came upon Him at His baptism (Lk 3:21-22)

5. During the temptation he was full of the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:1)

6. He declared, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me” (Lk 4:18-20)

7. He performed the miracles because of the anointing (Acts 10:38)

8. Jesus had the Spirit (anointing) without measure (John 3:24) but believers have the Holy Spirit in a measure (Rom 12:6).

9. Jesus baptizes us into the Holy Spirit (Mat 3:11)

Read also the anointing and the believer