As a young preacher, the only thing that one ever heard when anointing was mentioned, came from the Pentecostal denomination and the Holiness. The idea of anointing is throughout the entire Bible. The act of pouring fragrant oil over the head of the one to be anointed is often seen in the Old Testament. In Exodus 29:7 the Bible says: “then shalt thou take the anointing oil, and poor upon his head, and anoint him.” Then we read in Psalms 133:1-2, “it is like precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments as the dew from Mt. Herman, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing even life forevermore.” Aaron nor any of his sons were allowed to minister unto the Lord till they were anointed with this ointment. Our service is not acceptable to God without this holy effusion: which is described by the word, love. If we do not love, we are nothing. In 1 Corinthians 13:1-2, this is mentioned. It is like dew, it brings abundance of blessings along with it, it cools the scorching heat of men’s passions like the evening breezes cool the air and refreshes the earth. We who live in love are given peace from the God of love and peace who dwells within us. We know we shall be with him shortly, forever, in a world of endless love and peace. How good then is it, and how “pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.”!
The purpose of the Holy Spirit is to make us holy. He changes us, if allowed, from something unusable to “vessels meet for the Master’s use.” As the Holy Spirit brooded over the face of the waters in the beginning, He hoovers, changes our hearts, makes the heart a place habitable for God the Father and Christ! In John 14:23; Hebrews 3:6; and 1 Corinthians 6:19, the Holy Spirit tells us that when in our hearts, He makes the necessary changes within our hearts that allow Deity to stay, dwell within our hearts! If the spirit does not have his way in our hearts and we will not allow Him to make is holy, He will leave us!! Ephesians 4:30
There were three types of men mentioned in the Mosaic system that were anointed: prophets, priest, and Kings. This was not a private ceremony it was a public one. Exodus 40:13 mentions the anointing of priest. In 1 Samuel 9:16, it tells us the kings were anointed, and 1 Kings 9:16 in tells us of the prophets. This anointing was the privilege of a selected few. Jesus was anointed by God the Father at His baptism, Matthew 3:16-17; Acts 10:38. Symbolically the Holy Spirit came in the form of a dove and descended. This was the pre-arranged way John the Baptist could know for sure who was the chosen of God. Luke 3:21-22; John 1:31-32. This anointing was to show He who was anointed was given a special post and was endowed by God with authority to perform a special function. It was a privilege of a select few. As the last bird sent from the Ark, Christ is the last messenger from God. Hebrews 1:1 The dove was the message of the Holy Spirit to bring peace. Ephesians 2:14. The title, Christ, is not a name, but a description which means God’s anointed one!
All Christians are anointed of God. 1 Corinthians 1:21-22. It is said we are anointed and sealed. Anointed, when we received the Holy Spirit, and sealed, by the establishment of a covenant between God and us. There is no literal oil poured on our heads, but what is given is the presence of the Holy Spirit immediately after the resurrection from baptism. Thereafter, we are said to reign as priest and kings. Revelation 5:10; Romans 8:37. All Christians, if they are a Christian, receive this anointing!
