I’ve received numerous questions surrounding the thought of anointing within the Bible. This is usually a really touchy topic in Christian circles because so lots of us are biased by our denominational background. I actually have either been a member of or attended over a dozen denominations.
I used to be raised within the charismatic Pentecostal tradition, and I actually have a faith degree from a Southern Baptist university, although I’m not a Baptist today. Because of my experience in a big selection of traditions, from PCA and Reformed to Southern Baptist, Mennonite, Anglican, Methodist, and more, I actually have seen many interpretations, including topics like anointing. It’s necessary to at all times be the primary critic of your personal tradition.
So, whatever tradition you are in and whatever perspective they have an inclination to take, be willing to carry it as much as scripture and ask, is that this actually what scripture supports, or am I simply going together with what I’m comfortable with? Now, let’s get specific in regards to the issue of anointing. In charismatic circles, the thought of anointing is usually used to explain a particular calling on someone’s life, the favor of God, or the grace of God for a particular mission. This lines up with how the Bible presents anointing within the Old Testament, where kings and priests would often be anointed for a really specific task that God had called them to do.
The oil of anointing symbolized God’s calling, blessing, and favor on them for that task, however the oil itself had no power. Examples of this might be King David, who was anointed by Samuel, in addition to King Saul, Aaron, the high priest who Moses anointed for the duty of leading Israel spiritually. It’s necessary to notice two things about anointing within the Bible.
The precedent that we see is that another person at all times gives the anointing. It’s at all times coming from someone to another person. Secondly, 1 John 2:27 says that the anointing that we received from God abides in us.
This implies that the grace and favor that Christ has upon us is everlasting and with us. His favor is his grace, and that isn’t removable. So what does this mean? It implies that whether you are charismatic, you are Reformed, otherwise you’re Baptist, scripture makes a case for anointing.
Specifically, James where says that elders are to anoint the sick with oil as a process, as an element of bringing them to the Lord for healing. At the identical time, within the charismatic church, there was an abuse of anointing, elevating this concept of anointing above what scripture says and making it an object. The ultimate anointing is what now we have received through Christ on the cross, which is the favor and style of God for anything we’re called to do in his name.
And that can at all times abide with you.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Alicia Fdez
Originally published by @phyliciamasonheimer. Used with permission.