What is The Anointing ?

[Scott Hutchinson]

In Spirit Filled churches,we talk alot about being anointed,and the importance of being anointed and having an anointing on one's ministry.
But do you define the anointing of The Holy Ghost?
Is it a covering of the Spirit over one's ministry or life ,or is loud volume,and screaming in a microphone,and a loud hammond organ?
How do you define the anointing?

[Carpenter]

Originally Posted by Scott Hutchinson

In Spirit Filled churches,we talk alot about being anointed,and the importance of being anointed and having an anointing on one's ministry.
But do you define the anointing of The Holy Ghost?
Is it a covering of the Spirit over one's ministry or life ,or is loud volume,and screaming in a microphone,and a loud hammond organ?
How do you define the anointing?

These are pretty good questions, do you mind if I add one?

I have heard UPC preachers say you can lose it or that you are either annointed or you are not, and you have that annointing for a lifetime.

Which one is true?

[Scott Hutchinson]

Originally Posted by Carpenter

These are pretty good questions, do you mind if I add one?

I have heard UPC preachers say you can lose it or that you are either annointed or you are not, and you have that annointing for a lifetime.

Which one is true?

Maybe Keith4him or a master scholar like REV.DWW can clue us in?

[RevDWW]

Originally Posted by Scott Hutchinson

Maybe Keith4him or a master scholar like REV.DWW can clue us in?

You insult Keith4him by bringing my name into the post, let alone sentance where he is asked for wisdom.

RevDWW as a master scholar.......NOT.......but that might get you access into the smarmy thread though........

[RevDWW]

Hmmmmm, [Deep in thought] Here are the two places having anointing or unction ar mentioned in the new testament.

2 Corinthians 1:20 - 22 (KJV) 20For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
21Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
22Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

1 John 2:1 - 29 (KJV) 1My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
3And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
6He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
7Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.
8Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.
9He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
10He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
11But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
12I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.
13I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
14I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
15Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
18Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
19They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
20But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
21I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
22Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
23Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
24Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
25And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
26These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
27But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
28And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
29If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

This would seem to indicate that if you have the Spirit you have the anointing.

The anointing in the first passage is "chriō"
Thayer Definition:

1) to anoint
1a) consecrating Jesus to the Messianic office, and furnishing him with the necessary powers for its administration
1b) enduing Christians with the gifts of the Holy Spirit


The second passage contaiing unction and anointing are both "chrisma".
Thayer Definition:
1) anything smeared on, unguent, ointment, usually prepared by the Hebrews from oil and aromatic herbs. Anointing was the inaugural ceremony for priests

[Neck]

Originally Posted by Scott Hutchinson

In Spirit Filled churches,we talk alot about being anointed,and the importance of being anointed and having an anointing on one's ministry.
But do you define the anointing of The Holy Ghost?
Is it a covering of the Spirit over one's ministry or life ,or is loud volume,and screaming in a microphone,and a loud hammond organ?
How do you define the anointing?

Scott, First where is your picture. I used to know it was u right a way by seeing your picture.

I am too tired to explain in theolgical terms "Annointing".

One thing for sure, we all know when we see it!

[COOPER]

27But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him

WHAT??????

[COOPER]

Annointing for Saints is as The Force is to a Jedi ?

[Walk and Talk]

My wife has never been a professional teacher. However, most of our daily Bible Study together is led by her. Many of these mornings, she will start to share what is on her heart and the words, the thoughts, the precepts, the "study", flows out of her.

Most of the times this happens to her, I am greatly edified; I am challenged; I have an energy afterward that was not there prior to our study time together.

Often I will share with her afterward that she "was really anointed." She is always surprised. I feel what comes out of her is beyond the normal for her. I feel I am witness to God having anointed her.

I feel an anointing is more then someone being a good speaker, teacher, or counselor (the list could be larger). I feel an anointing is when the Lord gives an ability that is not there naturally for the person.

Is this a subjective evaluation? Yes.

When the tabernacle was being constructed, the Bible says the Lord God gave a supernatural wisdom to the craftsmen. We see the Bible saying that the writers of the Word were inspired by the Lord -- the Word therefore was not solely the product of the writer's own mind and hearts. These two examples, to me, are the persons being anointed.

There have been times the Lord has given me supernatural knowledge or discernment. I call this an anointing. Is this a subjective use of the word? Yes.

TO ME, the anointing is not a preacher or prophesier talking with a loud voice, in a particular style, and often with an animated body. While this often is called an anointing, to me it is the opposite. It is often an act, a performance.

You asked, "How does one know whether one is anointed? (Is it because they have been appointed by the church authority?)" My answer to this is a loud and animated, "NO!!!"

You asked, "(Is it because one has a "feeling" of being anointed?)" I think the answer could be, "Sometimes."

The question, "(How does one identify what this feeling should feel like?)" could be different with each individual. It could be different at times in one person. We are finding out that our emotions are most often not a good thermometer when judging what is and isn't of God.

I would answer, "(Shall we assume that we are anointed just because we are given a ministry or function in a church?) " with NO WAY. This too would be answered with great animation.

Your question, "(How does one distinguish between the anointing of God versus the anointing of evil?)" is a great question. Those without TRUE discernment might not be able to tell in every situation. I am CONVINCED that Patricia King has a very demonic and powerful anointing. The first time I listened to her prophecy, I thought it was wonderful. When I went back and listened to the same prophecy again, I KNEW I was listening to a demonic manifestation (or anointing, if you please). The first, and most important, guideline/test is to see if what is coming forth aligns with the Word of God and the nature of God. However, unfortunately, this too can be a subjective evaluation. An evaluation that can rest on our understanding of scripture and our admiration for the speaker or performer.

Lastly, you asked, "(If such things are of evil, how would one know this?)" Again, it needs to line up with the Word of God. However, the Word itself tells us that many twist the Word to their own destruction. The Bible tells us that there is coming great deception and many will fall prey to it. The Bible tells us that the Anti-Christ and False Prophet will come with FALSE signs and wonders (miracles). However, the Bible also tells us that HE (the Lord) is able to keep us and teach us. This is why our safety really rests in our knowledge of Him and His Word. Study, pray, and keep in a good fellowship. (Neglect not the assembling of yourselves, especially as you see the day (dark day) approaching.)

Lacking an "always-on" God given discernment, I always see if something is aligning with the Word of God and revealed will and heart of God, and God's revealed nature. If anything does not align, I will reject it. If something does not bear witness, I am usually skeptical. If something seems good and feels good, I will again try to see if it aligns with our Lord.

You have asked really good questions, but they are not so easy to answer because each person will have their own understandings and experiences to use in coming to an answer. How God might "anoint" me could be totally different then how God might "anoint" the next person. How God "anoints" me today could be different from how He anoints me tomorrow. My thinking I am under an "anointing" could be correct, or it could be just my own mind and emotions; OR, it could be a deceiving spirit. I need to check everything against the Word and be open to others giving an evaluation one way or another. Am I teachable?

If I see anything that is not NORMAL in doctrine or actions, I am initially skeptical.

I think if none of us were to ever have an "anointing" or be the hearer or viewer of an "anointing", as we know of it today, we would still get to heaven. However, we all know that "anointings" can sometimes be deceptive, and lead us down a wrong road.

One test many apply to believing they are witness to an anointing, is "what is the fruit." While this sometimes can be a good test, it can also help lead us astray. Our understanding of "Fruit" can be very subjective. Fruit alone cannot be the deciding factor. The fall of a once good ministry I know you know about, is a good example of what seemed like good fruit in individual lives, being in-fact a deceptive fruit that distracted many and led many down a wrong path.

While I hope I am a participant of "anointings" in myself and through others in the future, I am willing to not be if there is any chance they are not authored by the Lord.

We all want to feel we are operating under God's anointing. Some feel that whenever they speak words that align with the Word of God, they are anointed. However, here are some scriptures for you that relate:

• 1 Corinthians 2:13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.
  
• 1 Corinthians 12:8-11 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

The question all speakers/listeners need to ask is if they are giving something, as being anointed or inspired of the Lord, IS IT COMING BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD, or, by their own heart, doctrine, and good intentions? Can they truly say they are giving "by the Spirit?"

Ask yourself, regarding these "anointed" speakers, WHY is it that we see lots of speakers and no (or rare) miracles and healings in the church today? Speakers that think of themselves as anointed (prophets, apostles, tongues and interpretations, etc.) are abundant. Maybe some are only giving from their own souls, or from the devil. ???

The Lord would have each of us be His vessel for His use (being anointed/empowered by His Spirit), however the Word tells us to have other "prophets" judge what another spoke. Was or was not the speaker anointed? The speaker, and some listeners, probably will say yes. Why have someone else(s) judge what was said if we were never wrong in our assessment of an anointing? We can be wrong. We don't always have a perfect evaluation. Does God want us always to be right on? Yes. Are we always right on? No. That is why the Lord has made provision for it.

Don't be easily swayed by emotions, good speakers, miracles, and feelings. Align everything with the revealed will of God in the Word; not what someone teaches is the will of God by using emotions, feelings, and happenings as their guide.

Originally Posted by RevDWW

Hmmmmm, [Deep in thought] Here are the two places having anointing or unction ar mentioned in the new testament.





This would seem to indicate that if you have the Spirit you have the anointing.

The anointing in the first passage is "chriō"
Thayer Definition:

1) to anoint
1a) consecrating Jesus to the Messianic office, and furnishing him with the necessary powers for its administration
1b) enduing Christians with the gifts of the Holy Spirit


The second passage contaiing unction and anointing are both "chrisma".
Thayer Definition:
1) anything smeared on, unguent, ointment, usually prepared by the Hebrews from oil and aromatic herbs. Anointing was the inaugural ceremony for priests

I would suggest that anything beyond these is not "the anointing." I would also add (as suggested in 1b of your definitions) that "the anointing" is for every Christian.