The anointing is a significant concept in the Bible that has great meaning for Christian faith and practice. Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches about the anointing:
The meaning of “anointing”
The word “anoint” in the Bible literally means to rub or pour oil on a person or object. In the Old Testament, prophets, priests, and kings were anointed with oil to set them apart for service to God and to symbolize their appointment by God to their office (Exodus 29:7; 1 Samuel 10:1; 1 Kings 19:16). The oil was seen as a symbol of the Holy Spirit empowering and equipping them for this service.
In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is referred to as “the Anointed One” which is the same as saying “the Messiah” or “the Christ.” This refers to Jesus being anointed and filled with the Holy Spirit to fulfill His ministry on earth (Luke 4:18-19; Acts 10:38). Those who put their faith in Christ are also said to be anointed, meaning they also receive the Holy Spirit to empower them for service (2 Corinthians 1:21-22).
So in summary, the biblical concept of anointing involves being set apart, empowered and equipped by the Holy Spirit to serve the purposes of God.
Anointing in the Old Testament
In the Old Testament, anointing with oil was often a symbolic act performed for three main leadership roles: prophets, priests, and kings.
Prophets were anointed to signify God calling them and appointing them to speak God’s word to His people. Elisha was anointed by Elijah to take his place as prophet (1 Kings 19:16).
Priests were anointed to mark them as appointed by God to serve Him and minister before Him on behalf of the people. Aaron and his sons were anointed to serve as priests (Exodus 29:7).
Kings were anointed to show that they were chosen by God to lead and shepherd His people as His representative. David was anointed by Samuel to be king over Israel (1 Samuel 16:13).
So anointing in the Old Testament showed that these leaders were authorized and empowered by God through the Holy Spirit to fulfill their office. It was a sacred commissioning for service.
Jesus Christ as the Anointed One
In the New Testament, Jesus is proclaimed as the ultimate Anointed One – the Messiah or Christ. The word “Christ” comes from the Greek word christos which means “anointed one.”
Several passages refer to Jesus as the Anointed One or Christ who was anointed and filled with the Holy Spirit:
– Acts 10:38 – “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power.”
– Luke 4:18-19 – At the beginning of His ministry Jesus read from Isaiah 61:1 saying, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me…”
– Hebrews 1:9 – Speaking of Jesus it says, “Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”
Jesus was anointed and empowered by the Spirit to fulfill His messianic mission – to preach good news, heal the brokenhearted, proclaim freedom to the captives, bring sight to the blind, and proclaim the time of God’s favor (Luke 4:18-19). As the Anointed One, Jesus came to inaugurate the kingdom of God on earth.
Believers anointed with the Spirit
Those who put their faith in Jesus as the Christ or Anointed One are also anointed with the Holy Spirit.
1 John 2:20 says, “You have been anointed by the Holy One.” And verse 27 says, “The anointing you received from him abides in you.” This is referring to the Holy Spirit indwelling believers in Christ to teach and guide them.
Paul also refers to God as “he who anointed us” and having “sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee” (2 Corinthians 1:21-22). So believers are anointed and sealed with the Spirit as children of God.
The anointing gives believers power and helps equip them for service:
– 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 – The Spirit gives spiritual gifts for serving others.
– 2 Timothy 1:7 – “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
– Acts 1:8 – “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses.”
So the anointing empowers and appoints believers to join Christ in the work of building His kingdom.
Seeking a fresh anointing
Because the anointing of the Holy Spirit is so vital for empowering God’s people for service, believers will sometimes pray for a fresh outpouring or renewing of the Spirit’s anointing in their lives.
The Bible encourages seeking a fresh infilling of the Spirit:
– Ephesians 5:18 – “Be filled with the Spirit.”
– Acts 4:31 – “And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.”
– 2 Timothy 1:6 – “I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”
This is not seeking a new anointing, but rather seeking ongoing empowerment through the one anointing believers have already received from Christ. It isasking the Spirit to stir afresh the anointing within.
The anointing teaching and guiding
A key work of the anointing of the Holy Spirit is to teach and guide believers to know God’s truth.
1 John 2:27 says, “the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.”
This does not mean we do not need human teachers or God’s Word. But it means the Spirit makes God’s Word come alive to us personally and applies it to our specific situations. The anointing is our personal teacher and guide.
John 16:13 says the Spirit will guide us into all truth. And John 14:26 says the Spirit will teach us all things and bring to remembrance what Jesus said.
So the anointing is a precious gift to believers that teaches, guides, reminds, and points to the truth about Jesus. We should value this work of the Spirit in our lives.
The anointing bringing freedom
The anointing breaks the yoke of spiritual bondage and oppression.
Isaiah 10:27 says, “the yoke shall be broken because of the anointing.” And Luke 4:18 relates the anointing to proclaiming freedom to the captives.
The anointing brings deliverance from the attacks of the enemy and sets us free with the power of the risen Christ. As Acts 10:38 says, “God anointed Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.”
So the anointing sets people free from spiritual darkness and Satan’s power. This liberating work continues through the Spirit-anointed church today.
The anointing bringing healing
The anointing brings physical and spiritual healing by the power of God.
In Mark 6:13 it says the disciples “anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.” James 5:14 also instructs, “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.”
While the oil itself does not automatically heal, it represents the work of the Holy Spirit to bring God’s healing virtue. So anointing and praying for the sick is meant to allow the Spirit’s healing power to flow into their bodies and lives.
The anointing also heals emotional wounds and brokenness of heart. Isaiah 61:1 relates the work of binding up the brokenhearted to the anointing. So the Spirit’s anointing brings inner restoration and wholeness.
The anointing bringing joy
The anointing of God also brings great joy. Isaiah 61:3 says the anointing appointment believers “to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning.”
In the midst of sorrow and grief, the Holy Spirit comes to lift our spirits and refresh us with the oil of joy. The Spirit’s anointing refreshes our soul, renews our strength, and gives us hope.
Living in the anointing
Since the anointing of the Holy Spirit is so vital and important, believers should seek to walk daily in the awareness, wisdom, and power of that anointing. Practically this means:
– Staying filled with the Spirit through prayer, worship, and immersion in God’s Word (Eph 5:18)
– Following the Spirit’s guidance and nudges rather than living in the flesh (Galatians 5:16,25)
– Depending on the Spirit’s power and gifts rather than mere human strength (Zechariah 4:6)
– Allowing the Spirit to produce His fruit of love, joy and character in our lives (Galatians 5:22-23)
– Valuing the Spirit’s inner teaching illuminating God’s truth to us (1 John 2:27)
– Welcoming the Spirit’s freedom and deliverance from spiritual oppression (2 Corinthians 3:17)
So learning to walk in step with the Holy Spirit and live under the anointing He supplies is key to thriving as a New Testament believer. We have the precious gift of the Spirit’s anointing within – we simply need to honor Him and rely fully on His work in our daily life.
Conclusion
The anointing in Scripture refers to the work of the Holy Spirit setting apart, empowering, and equipping people to serve and represent God. Jesus as the Anointed One came to inaugurate God’s kingdom and rescue humanity. Those who put faith in Christ receive that same Spirit-anointing within them. This anointing teaches, guides, heals, brings joy and freedom. As believers, we should seek to know, value, and walk in the fullness of the Spirit’s anointing every day. The anointing is God’s precious gift and provision to empower His people for works of service, to represent Him well, and to thrive in our calling as His children.