The Anointing

 

  The "anointing" of the "Holy Spirit" gives us power through Jesus Christ. However, lets not confuse this with the Anointed One. Christ (Christos in the Greek), meaning "anointed," is a translation of the (Hebrew word mashiyach), the "Messiah" (which also means anointed), and is used as a title for Jesus in the New Testament. Some have thought on the basis of the word Christian (christianos), that the saints were the "anointed ones." However, this would not be correct. Again, the title "Christos," meaning the "Anointed One," and "Messiah" (Hebrew), represent Jesus Christ. The saints were followers of Jesus the Anointed, Greek "Iesous Christos." It is true that the saints had an "anointing," (Greek chrisma), which was the "Holy Spirit," as we can also receive (1 John 2:20, 27). But, the title "anointed One" belongs to Jesus alone. So, with that being said, lets begin our study in the book of Acts and see how and why God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit. We will begin our study in the book of Acts.

  How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. (Acts 10:38). Peter was explaining to the gentiles how God had anointed Jesus of Nazareth, with the "Holy Spirit" and with power. He explained that the Heavenly Father was with Him all the time, just as He could be with them. (When the Heavenly Father is with you, you have power over the devil and all fears). While Peter was speaking these words, the "Holy Spirit," fell on all those which heard the Word. (Acts 10:44). Now lets go to the book of Luke and see what Peter was talking about.

  And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. (Luke 4:14). When He returned (with power of the Holy Spirit), He became well known because of all of His healings and wisdom of the Word.

  The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed 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. (Luke 4:18). Anointed to preach the "Good News" to the poor in spirit, heal the broken hearted, recover sight to the spiritual blind, freedom to the spiritually bruised. But, most important, to deliver those who are captives (prisoners), to sin, Satan, and the law. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Ephesians 4:8). After Christ resurrected, He went to the captives who did not have salvation. (1 Peter 3:18-19). Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? (Ephesians 4:9). He freed those prisoners all the way back from the beginning.

  And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. (Luke 4:21). These scriptures came true today. "It has come to pass!" This is known as the "Gap Theory" between the first advent and the second advent. (Isaiah 61:1-3), to proclaim the "acceptable year of the Lord" and the day of vengeance of our God. The first advent is when Christ came as a babe, to "heal the broken hearted," a "lamb led to the slaughter to be crucified" for the sins of the world. (Psalms 147:3). The second advent is when He comes as "King of Kings and Lord of Lords" to rule with an iron rod of vengeance. (Malachi 4:1-3). Now lets return to the book of Acts.

  Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36). Let me assure you that this same Jesus that you have crucified, God has made Him to be the Lord and the Messiah. (Jesus was the anointed One of God).

  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38). Peter said to them; "each one of you must turn from sin," repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus and you will receive the "Holy Spirit." This is a promise from God to whom ever will. (Baptism is to believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ). To be willing: To accept Jesus as the anointed One implies that we are "willing" to be anointed with the same "Holy Spirit" that He was anointed with.

  Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. (2 Corinthians 1:21-22). Chosen us in God, (chosen by God to serve Him), as "protectors of the faith." He has put His brand on us (His mark of ownership), and has given us the earnest (sign of another's good faith), of the Holy Spirit in our hearts as guarantee that we belong to Him, and as the first installment of all that He is going to give us. "Christ was that first installment (down payment for us if you will), we just need to believe." To allow: A Christian is one who is not only "willing" and "believes" that God anointed Jesus with the "Holy Spirit," but also "allows" God to anoint them with the same "Holy Spirit." This makes a Christian a full member of the many member body of Christ. Again, the conditions: Accept Jesus as the "Anointed One," be "willing" to receive the anointing, and "allow" God to anoint you if it be His will. Are you willing?

Keep The Faith,
Barton