The Inseparable Duo!!!

Mind you, “New converts of the Pentecostal day” of the Early Church did not stand beside the Apostles to preach nor were they used in the Ministry within 24 hours of receiving “new life” from God!!! If New birth is a great spiritual experience, the one of being ushered into Ministry with due passage of time (No leadership positions please for new Christians commands Apostle Paul- 1 Tim 3:6) would equally be a memorable one.

Subjugation/Qualification...

Jesus Earthly life can be divided into three parts ...Preparation (at Nazareth), Proclamation (Ministry largely in the Northern Galilee beginning after the arrest of John the Baptist- Matt 4:12-17) and Passion (in Southern Jerusalem). If Proclamation phase involving mighty anointing (Luke 4:14/ Acts 10:38) was preceded by His triumph over temptations of the craving flesh (Matt 4:1-4), lust of the eyes (Matt 4:8-10) and the Pride of life (Matt 4:5-7), in a Christian’s life too after he subjugates these temptations (1 John 2:14-16) comes the needed anointing which is a qualification for any of the five Ministries (Apostolic, Evangelical, Prophetical, Pastoral or that of teaching- Eph 4:11-15) Christ would use Him in, for enhancing the boundaries of His Kingdom and for building up the Church to a state of full maturity. Apostle Paul sums up the subject on how subjugation of temptations precedes anointing for Ministry aptly in 2 Tim 2:21...

“Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.” It is pertinent to note that the Greek word used for “being set apart as Holy” is hagiazó which means consecrated or anointed. Virtually by subjugating the temptations, a Christian has proved his trustworthiness to be entrusted now with greater responsibilities.

Doubtless, when Peter wrote his epistle to some of 3000 who received the Lord (in Pontus, Cappadocia-the very places from which they had comeon the Da y of Pentecost-1 Peter 1:1), they having stood firm in the midst of fiery trials(1 Peter 1:7-8) had already been “anointed” in the intervening period for Peter exhorts them in the matter of matter of Gifts (1 Peter 4:10-11) and Pastoral Ministry (1 Peter 5:1-4).

In my own Christian life, after walking in the “fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 9:31) en-route overcoming the temptations with the Lord’s help alone (yes, if there were some falls then painful, remedial chastisement-repentance-restoration would follow- 1 Kings 8:46-49/ 1 John 2:1) for six years came the anointing experience (in July, 1989) of being filled with the “fire from above”. The Word of wisdom and Word of knowledge which were graciously gifted to me that day would never be withdrawn (1 Cor 12:8-9/ Rom 11:29) thence. With that commenced my preaching, teaching and writing Ministry which after making a slow start has grown in ever-widening circles from then on by His mercy alone even as I have grown further in Him (2 Cor 4:1/ 2 Cor 3:18). At this stage i need to also shout from rooftops that while mountain-top spiritual experiences are good in themselves, what eventually shapes a Christian into Christ-like image is consistent Cross-bearing. If 2 or 3 great spiritual experiences are sufficient in God’s sight to make a Christian perfectly Christ-like, then there would be no place for the cardinal doctrine of progressive sanctification (2 Peter 1:5-11/Romans 5:3-4/James 1:2-4) amongst others like Justification and Glorification in the Christian faith.