“Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;”—2 Corinthians 1:21
“But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things”—1John 2:20
As we discuss about the Anointing of the Holy Spirit, using the above quoted, opening scriptural verses as our anchor, it is important we first understand the meaning of the word “Anointing”. The word “anointed” as used in 2 Corinthians 1:21 is from the Greek word “chrio” which means, to smear or rub with oil. And by implication, it means to consecrate to an office or religious service.
Then in 1John 2:20, the word translated as “unction” which is also translated as “anointing” in 1 John2: 27 are from the Greek word “chrisma” meaning: an unguent or smearing; which figuratively means the special endowment (chrism) of the Holy Spirit.
So the anointing of the Holy Spirit means the special endowment or gift of the Holy Spirit in a person, that empowers him/her stand or carry out a particular ministerial office or service. So the anointing of the Holy Spirit is given to believers majorly for ministerial services. In the Old Testament, we see that before someone was made a king in Israel, he was first anointed with oil. The purpose of the anointing was to supernaturally empower the king to carry out his official duties or responsibilities effectively.
In the Old Testament, we also see that people were also anointed to stand or carry out the office of a prophet (see 1 King 19:16). Then in the New Testament, the Lord Jesus Christ read the prophecy of Isaiah concerning him in Luke 4:18-19 which says; “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”
So the Lord Jesus Christ’s great ministry here on earth, was backed with the Anointing of the Holy Spirit. He was anointed to preach the gospel to the poor; to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind; to set at liberty them that are bruised. Then also to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
After the Lord Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, he delegated his ministerial assignment or commission to us, his disciples, in his statements in the following scriptures:
“Then said Jesus to them again, peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me even so send I you.”—John 20:21
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” – Matthew 28:18-20
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” – Luke 16:15-20
So as we can clearly see from the above quoted scriptures, before the ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ to heaven, he transferred his commission or ministry to every believer. Then of course, he also transferred his messianic anointing to us to enable us carry out his commission, here on earth, effectively.
In Acts 1:8, the Lord says; “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
So after the Lord commissioned us to carry on with his messianic commission, he says we shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon us and we shall be witnesses unto him. Then on the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came to the earth to anoint every believer or disciple of Jesus Christ; for the great commission he has given to us. And since the Holy Spirit arrived on earth to fill and anoint every believer on the day of Pentecost, he has remained here on earth. He has not gone back. Because the Lord says he will be with us forever.
He is on earth to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment as we preach the gospel. He is on earth indwelling every believer in Christ Jesus. He is here on earth, anointing every believer in Christ Jesus. And also for healing and delivering the captives of the devil as Jesus did. And this is why Paul by the Holy Spirit tells us in our first opening text (2 Corinthians 1:21) that God hath already anointed us, believers. And John also in our second opening text (2 John 2:20) says we, believers, have an unction or anointing from the Holy One.
So every believer in Christ Jesus, is fully anointed by God to effectively carry out the great commission of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
So if you’re already a believer in Christ Jesus, as you go about preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, in fellowship or communion with the Holy Spirit, you will certainly see the manifestation of the anointing in your words; in signs and wonders to the glory of God.
Then apart from the general anointing of the Holy Spirit on every believer, God also anoints some believers for specific ministerial offices. Such as: the office of Apostle, Prophet, Pastor, Teacher and Evangelist, (see Ephesians 4:8-13). God anoints believers into any of the above listed fivefold ministerial offices, according to his will, for the perfecting of the saints. That is, to bring them to maturity concerning the gospel and spiritual things.
Then finally, the word of God also tells us the anointing of the Holy Spirit in us, teaches us all things. 1John 2:27 says; “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you; and ye need not that any man teach you; But as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall iabide n him.”
So as a believer, you are fully anointed to carry out the great commission with power, signs and wonders. Even if you are not called and anointed into any of the five-fold ministry, you can also go out there and preach the gospel of Jesus. And as you preach the gospel with faith, in communion with the Holy Spirit, the Lord will work with you, confirming the word with signs following.
Now over to you, do you have any question or comment on this topic of the Anointing of the Holy Spirit? You can drop them at the comment section below.
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