One of the most common errors found among Christian leaders today is that particular persons, usually "pastors," are somehow more "anointed" than the average Christian, and are NOT to be "touched" or "questioned" without "grave" consequences. I am not suggesting flagrant disregard for the guidance of spiritual leaders that God has raised up in His church for the welfare of the church. Indeed, they are to watch over the souls of the brethren (He 13:17).
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However, the New Testament does not support this notion of a "greater" anointing based on "position" and such teaching has its origin in a fundamental misunderstanding of the passage. The verse these "leaders" are referring to is:
Ps 105:13 When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people;
14 He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes;
15 Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
However, this is not speaking about "pastors," but speaks of God’s people, Israel. The “they” in this passage is a reference to the Lord’s people, the nation of Israel (or possibly His prophets, though it appears incongruent with the previous clause). Thus, “anointed” is a reference to “they,” the people of Israel – God’s people. NOT ONE MAN.
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In the New Testament, EVERY believer is "anointed." Apart from the anointing of Jesus Christ, this is the only sense in which the term is used in the New Testament:
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2Co 1:21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
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Thus, no believer can claim any special status as God's "untouchable anointed" over other believers. In the NT, ALL believers are “anointed.” A pastor who uses Psalm 105 to MANIPULATE or make brethren fear him is NOT rightly dividing the Word of truth:
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2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
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Not rightly dividing the Word of Truth may be an indication that he is a NOVICE:
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1Ti 3:6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
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This makes it imperative for believers to test ALL things by Scripture, as the Bereans were commended for doing when they examined the words of the apostle Paul (Acts 17:11).
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In fact, Christians are held accountable for proclaiming the whole will of God and warning others of false teachings and teachers (Acts 20:26-28; cf. Ezek. 33:7-9; 34:1-10):
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Ac 20:26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
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Eze 33:7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.
We would do well to heed Scripture's repeated warnings to be on guard for false teachings (e.g., Rom. 16:17-18; cf. 1 Tim. 1:3; 4:16; 2 Tim. 1:13-14; Tit. 1:9; 2:1), and to point them out to believers (1 Tim. 4:6):
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Ro 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
.
1Ti 1:3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine
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1Ti 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
.
Tit 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
.
Tit 2:1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine
.
1Ti 4:6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
.
How many times have believers been subjected to mishandled scripture and been fed traditions of men from the pulpit with an implicit or explicit "touch not God's anointed" if any dared to question? This is in contrast to the Biblical admonition to "try the spirits," (1 John 4:1) which every church leader should WANT to make sure he is in line, and in order to have a healthy church.
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Teaching which incorporates psychological intimidation is corrupt and deceptive. One of the easiest ways to determine what "spirit" motivates a person "in authority is to ask them a question. A godly man or woman will never be offended or become indignant if someone asks a question and compares what is said with the Word of God. However, if one is motivated by an "authoritarian" spirit of pride, you will know it from their reaction.
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Resources :
Anderson, John R. January 1997. Touch Not Mine Anointed? Christian Research Journal. [Open Domain]
.
Hanegraaff, Hendrik H. The Untouchables: Are "God's Anointed" Beyond Criticism? Christian Research Institute.
.
However, the New Testament does not support this notion of a "greater" anointing based on "position" and such teaching has its origin in a fundamental misunderstanding of the passage. The verse these "leaders" are referring to is:
Ps 105:13 When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people;
14 He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes;
15 Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
However, this is not speaking about "pastors," but speaks of God’s people, Israel. The “they” in this passage is a reference to the Lord’s people, the nation of Israel (or possibly His prophets, though it appears incongruent with the previous clause). Thus, “anointed” is a reference to “they,” the people of Israel – God’s people. NOT ONE MAN.
.
In the New Testament, EVERY believer is "anointed." Apart from the anointing of Jesus Christ, this is the only sense in which the term is used in the New Testament:
.
2Co 1:21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
.
Thus, no believer can claim any special status as God's "untouchable anointed" over other believers. In the NT, ALL believers are “anointed.” A pastor who uses Psalm 105 to MANIPULATE or make brethren fear him is NOT rightly dividing the Word of truth:
.
2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
.
Not rightly dividing the Word of Truth may be an indication that he is a NOVICE:
.
1Ti 3:6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
.
This makes it imperative for believers to test ALL things by Scripture, as the Bereans were commended for doing when they examined the words of the apostle Paul (Acts 17:11).
.
In fact, Christians are held accountable for proclaiming the whole will of God and warning others of false teachings and teachers (Acts 20:26-28; cf. Ezek. 33:7-9; 34:1-10):
.
Ac 20:26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
.
Eze 33:7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.
We would do well to heed Scripture's repeated warnings to be on guard for false teachings (e.g., Rom. 16:17-18; cf. 1 Tim. 1:3; 4:16; 2 Tim. 1:13-14; Tit. 1:9; 2:1), and to point them out to believers (1 Tim. 4:6):
.
Ro 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
.
1Ti 1:3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine
.
1Ti 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
.
Tit 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
.
Tit 2:1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine
.
1Ti 4:6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
.
How many times have believers been subjected to mishandled scripture and been fed traditions of men from the pulpit with an implicit or explicit "touch not God's anointed" if any dared to question? This is in contrast to the Biblical admonition to "try the spirits," (1 John 4:1) which every church leader should WANT to make sure he is in line, and in order to have a healthy church.
.
Teaching which incorporates psychological intimidation is corrupt and deceptive. One of the easiest ways to determine what "spirit" motivates a person "in authority is to ask them a question. A godly man or woman will never be offended or become indignant if someone asks a question and compares what is said with the Word of God. However, if one is motivated by an "authoritarian" spirit of pride, you will know it from their reaction.
.
Resources :
Anderson, John R. January 1997. Touch Not Mine Anointed? Christian Research Journal. [Open Domain]
.
Hanegraaff, Hendrik H. The Untouchables: Are "God's Anointed" Beyond Criticism? Christian Research Institute.
