THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ANOINTING
In the Old Testament the principle of anointing was revealed in the bestowal of ability through various types, symbols and functions. For example the High Priests had oil poured upon them, as did Kings and Prophets. Each of these groups had specific roles in ministry, which they administrated. The oil symbolized different principles involved in the receiving of the anointing fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
The anointing that we talk about today is the fullness of the type revealed in Jesus Christ. Christ meaning the anointed one. We see this in the following scriptures:
Luke 3:21 When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened.
Luke 3:22 And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”
John 1:32-33 And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him.33 “I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’
Luke 4:18-19 “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”
True anointing is the power and influence of the Holy Spirit saturating and permeating a person. It is imperative that leaders move with true Godly anointing, not with a false, questionable or man made anointing. The anointing of the Holy Spirit makes ministry effective.
Requirements for the Anointing
Of course we know the Holy Spirit is now available to all that believe. However to receive abide and remain in the anointing of God is incumbent on certain principles found in the example of Jesus.
THE FOUNDATION OF HOLINESS – Revealed in repentance
Luke 3:21 When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened.
The Baptism of John was a Baptism of Repentance.
THE SYMBOLISM OF THE DOVE - FOCUS
The Dove symbolizes the Holy Spirit in a unique way. The Dove represents purity, innocence, meekness and graciousness. The Dove’s chief characteristic is its ability to focus. Although a Dove has two eyes it sees only one thing at a time. The Holy Spirit abides and remains on those who are focused in doing the Fathers will.
THE FATHERS AFFIRMATION - Because of Obedience
Luke 3:22 And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”
The approval of the Father rests on those who do His will. Romans 8:14.
CONQUERING TEMPTATIONS – Through the Word
Luke 4:1-13
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
PROOFS OF THE ANOINTING
1. You cannot love the world system.
1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
2. Commitment to the local church and refusal to withdraw or live independently.
Psalm 68:6 God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity; But the rebellious dwell in a dry land.
3. Discernment.
1 John 2:20-26 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.21 I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth.22 Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.25 And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life.26 These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you.
4. A teachable spirit and an open and cultivated heart.
1 John 2:27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.
5. Abiding in Christ.
John 15:4 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
6. A practicing of righteousness.
1 John 3:10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.
7. Spiritual power to destroy the works of the enemy.
1 John 3:8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
8. The ability to preach the Gospel.
Luke 4:18 “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
9. A spiritual passion and zeal for the House of the Lord.
John 2:17 Then His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.”
Isaiah 59:17 For He put on righteousness as a breastplate, And a helmet of salvation on His head; He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, And was clad with zeal as a cloak.
Zeal = passion, enthusiasm, fervency, intensity.
a. Zeal for loving Gods House. John 2:17
b. Zeal in going to Gods House. Ps 122:1
c. Zeal to build and not tear down Gods House. Pro 14:1
d. Zeal in finding satisfaction in Gods House. Ps 36:8
e. Zeal of being planted and rooted in Gods House. Ps 92:10,13.
f. Zeal to keep the unity of Gods House. Ps 133
10. A lifestyle of sacrificial serving.
1 Corinthians 6:19,20 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
THE SERVANT ANOINTING
The Holy Spirit filled and came down upon Christ’s servants.
Luke 1:15 John the Baptist
15 “For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.
Luke 1:35 Mary
35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.
Acts 2:4,17,18 Disciples
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,
That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your young men shall see visions,
Your old men shall dream dreams.
18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days;
And they shall prophesy.
Acts 6:3 Deacons
3 “Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;
Ephesians 5:18 Believers today And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,
