As a young preacher, the only thing I ever heard about “anointing” came from denominationalism They of the Pentecostal persuasion, they we called “holy rollers.” But as I began to study the Scriptures I found that the idea of anointing is throughout the entire Bible. The active anointing of fragrant olive oil over the head of the anointed one is taught explicitly in the Old Testament. In the book of Exodus 29:7 the direction by God to Moses “to anoint Aaron and his sons” cannot be overlooked. “Then shalt thou take the anointing oil:, and poured upon his head, and anoint him.” This was done publicly so all might see. There is no question then that priest were part of they who are anointed! In Psalms 133:1-2; David is quoted as saying this anointing 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 of Herman, as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion.” When these were anointed with oil there was also the laying on of hands. The laying on of hands was a public showing of the passing on of the mantle of leadership authority. The laying on of hands at the beginning had nothing to do with healing or miracles, but to receive the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The anointing oil of the sanctuary was composed of many precious ingredients while olive oil was its basis. Not only Aaron, but all later high priest were anointed with it. Exodus 30:30. The anointing of the high priest was a sign and symbol of unity. He bore on his breastplate the names of the 12 tribes. The message came from one source, not like to confusion of several people trying to speak at once in language nobody understands!! The dew of Mount Herman, is what the Jew would understand as the moisture which fertilizes the holy land, and made it the fertile land. Mount Herman was to Canaan what Aaron was ceremonially to Israel. The Jordan, issued from the roots of Herman diffused throughout Zion. The message of the gospel comes from one source, the apostles of Christ, if every doctrine cannot be traced to their teaching and instruction it has to be avoided. “God, is not the author of confusion.” 1 Corinthians 14:33
One of the three functions attributed to the Holy Spirit in reference to the Christian is that the Holy Spirit seals, gives us the earnest (down payment on our bodies), and anoints. We become the SET APART! The purpose is to make us holy– changing from unusable clay to vessels “meet for the master’s use”– as the Holy Spirit functioned when he brooded over the face of the waters in the creation making the world a place habitable for mankind. We who have received the Holy Spirit, are given a way to make our lives “holy” so God the Father and God the Son can have a habitation, there. The apostle Paul writes,” for through Christ we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father….. And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself, being the chief corner stone…..In whom ye also our built together a habitation of God through (by) the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:18-22
Other specific servants anointed in the Mosaic system were Kings. 1 Samuel 9:16; “tomorrow, about this time, I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people, Israel…” The third classification of persons were they who were called prophets. In 1 Kings 19:16, “and Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah: shall thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.” Again, this was not a private ceremony this, again, is a public ceremony. This was not done privately and then declared by “personal testimony”exspecting others to believe their lie as the denominationalist do, today!!
