What is “the anointing?"

[JimB]

What is “the anointing?" Use scripture, please. (Sorry for making it difficult.)



The word “anoint” (anointed, anointing) is used only 18 times in the NT (KJV) and almost that number in the NIV. That’s only ONCE in every 13 chapters or ONCE in every 400 verses or ONCE in every 9,000 words!! If you subtract the NT references of Christ being the Anointed One and anointing with oil or some sort of balm (as when they anointed Jesus’ body), the figures are even more skewed.

On TBN (for example) it has become a buzz word that I hear (when I bother to listen) in practically every broadcast. Usually it means some “special” power or privilege and is often synonymous with the word “special” and in Rev. Bob is anointed (as though the rest of us aren’t) or he/she is an “anointed” man/woman of God (as though the rest of us aren’t). Benny Hinn is anointed; Pastor Insipid isn’t. The Fire-BaptizedHolinessChurch has anointed services; the Church of the Prevailing Winds doesn’t.

Nowhere in scripture do I find the term “anoint” used in that manner.

What I want to know is, in your opinion, what does “the anointing” mean (biblically) and can you support it from scripture?

And, do you think we are taking liberties with this biblical term when we use it in a non-biblical way?

Is it wrong and does it foster misunderstanding to misuse the term in the way it is popularly used?

\o/



I am posting all the NIV references to “anoint” in the NT here (please check me out on this):



Matthew 1:17
Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ.[ 1:17 Or Messiah. "The Christ" (Greek) and "the Messiah" (Hebrew) both mean "the Anointed One."]

Mark 6:13
They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.

Mark 8:29
"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ.[ 8:29 Or Messiah. "The Christ" (Greek) and "the Messiah" (Hebrew) both mean "the Anointed One."] "

Mark 14:1
Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some sly way to arrest Jesus and kill him.

Mark 16:1
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body.

Luke 2:11
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[ 2:11 Or Messiah. "The Christ" (Greek) and "the Messiah" (Hebrew) both mean "the Anointed One"; also in verse 26.] the Lord.

Luke 4:18
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed,

John 1:20
He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, "I am not the Christ.[ 1:20 Or Messiah. "The Christ" (Greek) and "the Messiah" (Hebrew) both mean "the Anointed One"; also in verse 25.] "

Acts 2:31
Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ,[ 2:31 Or Messiah. "The Christ" (Greek) and "the Messiah" (Hebrew) both mean "the Anointed One"; also in verse 36.] that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay.

Acts 4:26
The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.[ 4:26 That is, Christ or Messiah] '[ 4:26 Psalm 2:1,2]

Acts 4:27
Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people[ 4:27 The Greek is plural.] of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed.

Acts 10:38
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

2 Corinthians 1:21
Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us,

Hebrews 1:9
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy."[ 1:9 Psalm 45:6,7]

James 5:14
Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.

1 John 2:20
But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.[ 2:20 Some manuscripts and you know all things]

1 John 2:27
As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit–just as it has taught you, remain in him.

 

[AudioArtist]

Edit-accidental repeat, sorry!

 

[AudioArtist]

Well the words "slain in the spirit" don't occur in the Bible either...they're just new words that came about to explain modern-day miracles God is doing I guess. Do we have to limit God's actions to those He did in the Bible? God can perform any miracle He wants, be it splitting the red sea, giving people visions, or knocking people out with his powerful presence.

 

[KleinerApfel]

Benny Hinn is anointed; Pastor Insipid isn’t. The Fire-BaptizedHolinessChurch has anointed services; the Church of the Prevailing Winds doesn’t.

rofl

Thanks for that Jim, I needed cheering up!
But I just was just a bit worried that Pastor Insipid might be an actual person (maybe even pastor of "Prevailing Winds"?) I hope not!

I think you're right about this - all Christians are anointed; there are no first and second class Christians, so I've never understood what they mean.

Sometimes it seems that a Christian is prepared and empowered for a particular purpose, and this leads to them being refered to as "anointed."
But really isn't that misleading; calling into question whether the rest of us are?

I'm a bit confused really though, so I'm looking forward to someone who knows what they're talking about answering your question.

God bless, Susana

 

[JimB]

Well the words "slain in the spirit" don't occur in the Bible either...they're just new words that came about to explain modern-day miracles God is doing I guess. Do we have to limit God's actions to those He did in the Bible? God can perform any miracle He wants, be it splitting the red sea, giving people visions, or knocking people out with his powerful presence.

If you do not use the Bible as the final authority in all matters of faith and practice, every man is a Bible unto himself and anything goes. Maybe this is why so much fleshy exhibitions prevail in some P/C circles. We justify extra-biblical things because they make us feel good. We become guilty of violating Paul’s clear instructions in 2 Timothy 4.1-3,

2Herald and preach the Word! Keep your sense of urgency [stand by, be at hand and ready], whether the opportunity seems to be favorable or unfavorable. [Whether it is convenient or inconvenient, whether it is welcome or unwelcome, you as preacher of the Word are to show people in what way their lives are wrong.] And convince them, rebuking and correcting, warning and urging and encouraging them, being unflagging and inexhaustible in patience and teaching. 3For the time is coming when [people] will not tolerate (endure) sound and wholesome instruction, but, having ears itching [for something pleasing and gratifying], they will gather to themselves one teacher after another to a considerable number, chosen to satisfy their own liking and to foster the errors they hold. 4And will turn aside from hearing the truth and wander off into myths and man-made fictions. (Amplified)

​

I really have a hard time with statements like this, CS2X, and cannot believe I am hearing someone who claims to love the Word of God treat it so lightly.

\o/

 

[Adammi]

We use the word anointed like in the Old Testament. They anointed people with oil. In the New Tesament we are anointed with the Spirit for paticular things just as the OT people were anointed with oil to be kings, priest and such.
I have never heard people say that someone isn't anointed. I'm sure that you tell people that they are blessed or talented or gifted etc. Does that mean that noone else is? No.

 

[JimB]

Well the words "slain in the spirit" don't occur in the Bible either...

For the record, I have a problem with the phrase “slain in the Spirit,” too, not to mention much of what transpires under that name. I know that people really do swoon and fall in prayer lines (it’s happened to me) but much of what happens when people are (ugh!) “slain” is mimicry or just being susceptible to suggestion. I have had more than one person tell me they fell during prayer because it was expected of them.

\o/

 

[AudioArtist]

If you do not use the Bible as the final authority in all matters of faith and practice, every man is a Bible unto himself and anything goes. Maybe this is why so much fleshy exhibitions prevail in some P/C circles. We justify extra-biblical things because they make us feel good. We become guilty of violating Paul’s clear instructions in 2 Timothy 4.1-3,

2Herald and preach the Word! Keep your sense of urgency [stand by, be at hand and ready], whether the opportunity seems to be favorable or unfavorable. [Whether it is convenient or inconvenient, whether it is welcome or unwelcome, you as preacher of the Word are to show people in what way their lives are wrong.] And convince them, rebuking and correcting, warning and urging and encouraging them, being unflagging and inexhaustible in patience and teaching. 3For the time is coming when [people] will not tolerate (endure) sound and wholesome instruction, but, having ears itching [for something pleasing and gratifying], they will gather to themselves one teacher after another to a considerable number, chosen to satisfy their own liking and to foster the errors they hold. 4And will turn aside from hearing the truth and wander off into myths and man-made fictions. (Amplified)



​

I really have a hard time with statements like this, CS2X, and cannot believe I am hearing someone who claims to love the Word of God treat it so lightly.


\o/

I'm just saying that God can do miracles that are different to those stated in the Bible. What's wrong with that? I don't seem to recall the Bible mentioning many miracles that occur today (like cancer being cured, or demonic nightmares being halted) yet that doesn't make them fake.
And there is no Biblical evidence for being slain in the spirit (forgive me calling it that)...are you saying that's all physcological?

 

[JimB]

I'm just saying that God can do miracles that are different to those stated in the Bible. What's wrong with that? I don't seem to recall the Bible mentioning many miracles that occur today (like cancer being cured, or demonic nightmares being halted) yet that doesn't make them fake.
And there is no Biblical evidence for being slain in the spirit (forgive me calling it that)...are you saying that's all physcological?

Jesus did heal “all manner of disease,” which probably included the things you mentioned.

Not all “slain” people are victims of psychological manipulation. But some certainly are, and that's where discernment comes in.

\o/

 

[Asaph]

Jim,
Back when most of the "Heresy" and "Heresy Hunters" things were going on one of my biggest pet peeves was that the prominent TV preachers fell into saying "thou shalt not touch God's anointed" in some sort of televised threat against those who were questioning the direction these preachers were going. I was stunned to hear them use that scripture as a defense in that it actually refers to a passage where David refuses to do Saul harm because God had anointed Saul to be King over Isreal. So in essense they were compairing themselves to Saul.
Once these things get started in mass media, they seem to take on an unbiblical life of their own.
Anyway, that's my two cents. Can I get fries with that?

Grace, Mercy and Peace,
Asaph

 

[AudioArtist]

Ok then.

I'm new to all this so I don't know much. All I know is that when the Church is quiet, and has none of the cymble-banging paster-yelling guitars-playing-nice-chords synth doing nice uplifting sounds stuff, I feel God's presence burn through me most strongly since I don't feel that it's a physcological game to try and get me on an emmotional high. Though I haven 't ben slain in the spirit, I have felt the presence of God, and it's normally been in the most quiet and least hyped of times.
Just so you're aware of that, Jim M.

 

[JimB]

Ok then.

I'm new to all this so I don't know much. All I know is that when the Church is quiet, and has none of the cymble-banging paster-yelling guitars-playing-nice-chords synth doing nice uplifting sounds stuff, I feel God's presence burn through me most strongly since I don't feel that it's a physcological game to try and get me on an emmotional high. Though I haven 't ben slain in the spirit, I have felt the presence of God, and it's normally been in the most quiet and least hyped of times.
Just so you're aware of that, Jim M.

I just noticed your age, CS, and I would imagine you would like a thumping service. Believe it or not, even at my age, I still like my music with an edge but have learned that there is something to be said for tranquility. There are times when I love to crank the stereo up (when my wife is not here ) but there are times when I love the sound of silence. I am blessed in live-wire services and equally blessed in serene ones. One is not superior to the other. They both serve God’s purposes.

I appreaciate a 17-year-old's interest in pursuing truth.

Be God’s,

Jim

\o/

 

[riverpastor]

Jim, thanks for posting this...

and stop hijacking your own thread...

I have heard this for years myself and it can be confusing. With your background, I know you are fully aware of what people "mean" when they say "the anointing". But your heart is questioning it against scriptural use and reference.

What I wanted to add was that even in the touchy-feely sects of P/C/WoF (which I whole-heartedly am one), there are differences in what is meant by the anointing.

I know that when Rodney Howard-Browne says the anointing, he is usually not speaking of a special endowment of God's supernatural power but just simply the Presence of the Lord by His Spirit.

Others, of course, use it to describe some special gifting of the Lord's Spirit upon someone's life.

I like the way Tommy Tenney wrote about the anointing in either God Chasers or one of his other books:

Esther spent months with the eunichs who were especially called to prepare those virgins who would parade before King Ahasuerus in order to become his queen. (or concubine)

Esther 2:12-13 - Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women) Then thus came every maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king's house.​

So Bro. Tenney goes on to say that the time spent soaking in the oils and fragrances is like the anointing. The anointing is provided by the king himself. And once the would-be-bride had completed the rituals, she would have an audience with the king.

His analogy is that God anoints us in order that our "flesh" doesn't stink before Him... But that it only prepares us to enter into the Presence of our King, Jesus.

He states that the problem in Pente churches is that man has fallen in love with the anointing but not the Presence of the King.

I find this very interesting and believe it to be true.

Knowing that "anointing" normally means "smeared" in the NT instances, are we simply saying that God is smearing us with a touch of His Presence to draw us or entice us to yearn and long for Him more???

or, dare I say, More of Him?

 

[Asaph]

Jim, thanks for posting this...

and stop hijacking your own thread...

I have heard this for years myself and it can be confusing. With your background, I know you are fully aware of what people "mean" when they say "the anointing". But your heart is questioning it against scriptural use and reference.

What I wanted to add was that even in the touchy-feely sects of P/C/WoF (which I whole-heartedly am one), there are differences in what is meant by the anointing.

I know that when Rodney Howard-Browne says the anointing, he is usually not speaking of a special endowment of God's supernatural power but just simply the Presence of the Lord by His Spirit.

Others, of course, use it to describe some special gifting of the Lord's Spirit upon someone's life.

I like the way Tommy Tenney wrote about the anointing in either God Chasers or one of his other books:

Esther spent months with the eunichs who were especially called to prepare those virgins who would parade before King Ahasuerus in order to become his queen. (or concubine)

Esther 2:12-13 - Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women) Then thus came every maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king's house.​

So Bro. Tenney goes on to say that the time spent soaking in the oils and fragrances is like the anointing. The anointing is provided by the king himself. And once the would-be-bride had completed the rituals, she would have an audience with the king.

His analogy is that God anoints us in order that our "flesh" doesn't stink before Him... But that it only prepares us to enter into the Presence of our King, Jesus.

He states that the problem in Pente churches is that man has fallen in love with the anointing but not the Presence of the King.

I find this very interesting and believe it to be true.

Knowing that "anointing" normally means "smeared" in the NT instances, are we simply saying that God is smearing us with a touch of His Presence to draw us or entice us to yearn and long for Him more???

or, dare I say, More of Him?

RP, my brother. God has surely anointed you repeatedly and constantly. I thank our God for you. You are always able to express that which God has brought me right to the point of being able to understand.

Grace, Mercy, and Peace,
Asaph

 

[LivingWitness]

Actually anointed is in the bible several more times than this. But it disguised as another Word, " Christ" means the Anointed one and His anointing. It is not Just Jesus last name you know. LOL



This is what The Lord is saying in Luke 4:18. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, (why because He has annointed me. Here is proclaiming He is the Christ.

When He came to that synagogue that day, He didn't just pick out some scripture and start reading when He was reading the scripture in Isaiah. This was the scripture that was to be read that day, as was the custom, that was in the order that it was to be read.


So every time you read the Word Christ in the New Testament realize that it not just Jesus that is being referred to but His anointing and "His anointed". If any man be in the anointed One and His anointing He is a new creature old things have passed away; behold all things are become new.



I am crucified with the Anointed One and His anointing: nevertheless I live: yet not I, but the Anointed One and His anointing liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God (notice that it is His faith), who loved me, and gave himself for me.



This next statement is my opinion of the understanding and revelation I have received from the Lord "SO unless it says Jesus Christ, which would directly be talking about Him as the Anointed One, but when it says Christ it is also talking about His anointed and His anointing in which I am a partaker."



So there are those that do not operate in the anointing because of the teachings that they teach are religious tradition dead works. And I believe this what the people on TBN are saying, not that watch any TV or anything so I am not for sure but this my interpretation of what you are saying

And also the anointing is a OT concept they anointed David and Saul and the priests, just for examples sake I will stop at these mentioned, when they were anointed they were covered in oil and some other spices but that is not important for right now.

They could feel that anointing upon them. They could smell that anointing. When the doorframes were anointed by the blood prior to the exodus from Egypt (the world) you could see the anointing.


I can feel his anointing upon me by the Holy Spirit. I have several times smelled the anointing upon others and myself. You can see the anointing in the Spirit by the fruits of the Spirit that are manifested.



I pray this informs educates and uplifts the anointed One and His anointing, In Jesus name. Amen




Raygn

 

[Asaph]

Actually Raygn, God's anointed, and The Anointed One are two different things. One refers to whom ever God has anointed to do a certain thing, and the other is a prophecy of Him who was to come in the OT.

I personally have studied the bible so long now that whenever I see the word Christ, my mind automatically reads "Messiah". It's like that for a variety of words. That's just a result of being in "The Name".

Grace, Mercy, and Peace,
Asaph

 

[LivingWitness]

Thayer's and smiths bible dictionary has 2 separate definitions for Christ.
Christ

1. Christ was the Messiah, the Son of God
2. anointed

The word Chrio was used in Luke 4:18 Thayer's and smiths bible dictionary says

to anoint

1. consecrating Jesus to the Messianic office, and furnishing him with the necessary powers for its administration
2. enduing Christians with the gifts of the Holy Spirit

Vines expository dictionary makes the statement,

"The single title Christos is sometimes used without the article to signify the One who by His Holy Spirit and power indwells believers and molds their character in conformity to His likeness Roman's *:10 Gal 2:20 4:19 Eph 3:17 As to the use or absence of the article the title with the article specifies the Lord Jesus as the Christ: the title without the article stresses His character and His relationship with believers Again, speaking generally, when the title is the subject of the sentence it has the article, when it forms part of the predicate the article is absent."


Revelation and these is where I got my understanding that Christ meant His Anointed One and His anointing or anointed.


Is there different words used for the differences or are you referring to the different applications of the Word?

Lord Bless

Raygn

 

[riverpastor]

Ahhh, Hashem...

worthy of another thread...

For such as I have give I thee IN HIS NAME...

 

[Asaph]

Thayer's and smiths bible dictionary has 2 separate definitions for Christ.
Christ

1. Christ was the Messiah, the Son of God
2. anointed

The word Chrio was used in Luke 4:18 Thayer's and smiths bible dictionary says

to anoint

1. consecrating Jesus to the Messianic office, and furnishing him with the necessary powers for its administration
2. enduing Christians with the gifts of the Holy Spirit

Vines expository dictionary makes the statement,

"The single title Christos is sometimes used without the article to signify the One who by His Holy Spirit and power indwells believers and molds their character in conformity to His likeness Roman's *:10 Gal 2:20 4:19 Eph 3:17 As to the use or absence of the article the title with the article specifies the Lord Jesus as the Christ: the title without the article stresses His character and His relationship with believers Again, speaking generally, when the title is the subject of the sentence it has the article, when it forms part of the predicate the article is absent."


Revelation and these is where I got my understanding that Christ meant His Anointed One and His anointing or anointed.


Is there different words used for the differences or are you referring to the different applications of the Word?

Lord Bless

Raygn

OK. but chew on this some. Ps 2:2
[And against his Anointed] - mªshiychow (OT:4899) - his Messiah: hence, our word Messiah, or Christ. The word means "Anointed," and the allusion is to the custom of anointing kings and priests with holy oil when setting them apart to office, or consecrating them to their work. Compare the notes at Matt 1:1; Dan 9:26. The word Messiah, or Anointed, is therefore of so general a character in its signification that its mere use would not determine to whom it was to be applied-whether to a king, to a priest, or to the Messiah properly so called. The reference is to be determined by something in the connection. All that the word here necessarily implies is, that there was some one whom Yahweh regarded as his Anointed one, whether king or priest, against whom the rulers of the earth had arrayed themselves. The subsequent part of the psalm (Ps 2:6-7) enables us to ascertain that the reference here is to one who was a King, and that he sustained to Yahweh the relation of a Son. The New Testament, and the considerations suggested in the introduction to the psalm (Section 4), enable us to understand that the reference is to the Messiah properly so called-Jesus of Nazareth. This is expressly declared (Acts 4:25-27) to have had its fulfillment in the purposes of Herod, Pontius Pilate, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, in rejecting the Saviour and putting him to death. No one can doubt that all that is here stated in the psalm had a complete fulfillment in their combining to reject him and to put him to death; and we are, therefore, to regard the psalm as particularly referring to this transaction. Their conduct was, however, an illustration of the common feelings of rulers and people concerning him, and it was proper to represent the nations in general as in commotion in regard to him.
(from Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1997 by Biblesoft)

Let's address each point individually from here on out. It makes a clearer foundation.

Grace and Peace,
Asaph

 

[LivingWitness]

I think I am in agreeance with you Asaph. What I am trying to share is when we accept Jesus as Lord according to Gal 2:20 it is no longer I who lives but CHrist who lives in Me.

I think that Jesus is the annointed one, the Christ. When we are in Him I think that His annointing flows upon our lives. Thus I am saying The Annoited One and His Annoiting and would make the prayer that Jesus had for us to be One be more significant and gives me greater understanding that it is not me or mine but His annoiting that I am a partaker of.

Does that make sense or am I not understanding what you are saying?

Raygn