ANOINTING

Text: Luke 4:18-19; Acts 10:38

Anointing is God's presence through the Holy Spirit on a person. It is God on flesh in one's life doing those things only God can do. It is the power of God at work in one’s life and situation. It is a seal of ownership of God on the one set apart. Jesus Christ is referred to as the "Anointed One”, The chosen One. Acts 10:38 "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him". Jesus said in Luke 4:18-19 as it was written in the book of prophet Esaias “The Spirit of The Lord is upon me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. To preach the acceptable year of the Lord”.

Anointing can be by smearing or rubbing with oil to consecrate for office or religious purpose. It can be for blessing, protection, empowerment, healing, sanctification and for setting apart. God anoints and ministers of God and spiritual elders can anoint with oil in the name of God the Father, God the son and God the Holy Spirit. It is the power of God in the oil that produces effect. Inanimate objects such as tabernacles, church buildings, altar of God, instruments, vessels, food, materials, dresses and handkerchief can be anointed.

Jesus Christ was anointed by God with the Holy spirit as a prophet, priest and king and empowered to spread the good news. After the anointing he went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil for God was with him and protection guaranteed. Psalm 105:15 "Touch not my anointed, and do my prophets no harm".

Let us consider some people that were anointed in the Bible.

Anointing for healing
James 5:14"Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord".
Jesus disciples went out Mark 6:13"And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them".

Anointing of Kings

Saul anointed king
1 Samuel 9:15 "Now the day before Saul came, the Lord had revealed this to Samuel. About this time tomorrow. I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him ruler over my people Israel, he will deliver them from the hand of the Philistines". 1 Samuel 10:1 "Then Samuel took a flask of Olive oil and poured it on Saul's head and kissed him, saying, "Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over his inheritance.” So, Saul was anointed king and set apart for special purpose.

David anointed king
After the LORD has rejected Saul as king over Israel He asked Samuel to prepare to fill his horn with oil and go to where he would be sent. The LORD sent him to Jesse's house and there David the youngest son of Jesse was anointed. 1 Samuel 16:13 "Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward." 2 Samuel 5:3 "So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron and King David made a league with them in Hebron before the LORD and they anointed David king over Israel".

Solomon anointed king
1 kings 1:39 "And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save King Solomon".

Anointing as priest/ minister/ pastor for Sanctification

Aaron anointed
Leviticus 8:12
Moreover the LORD spoke to Moses in Exodus 30:30 "And thou shall anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office". Leviticus 8:12 "And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron's head, and anointed him, to sanctify him".

Anointing of inanimate objects for sanctification
The LORD spoke to Moses to anoint the tabernacle and all that is therein, and shall hallow it, and all the vessels thereof: and it shall be holy - Exodus 40:9. And Moses did as the LORD commanded, Leviticus 8:10.

Apart from individual anointing, and anointing of inanimate objects like tabernacles, Church buildings and objects in the building , dresses and handkerchiefs ,there could be corporate anointing. This happens when many believers are in the same place and there is a singleness of purpose between them, and they are in unison and in perfect agreement. When they act corporately as one, great power will be released. Corporate anointing is so powerful especially when they are praising and praying and all in one accord, the spirit of God moves. Acts 2:1-4 on the day of Pentecost. "And when the day of Pentecost fully come , they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues as the spirit gave them utterance".

You are admonished not to forsake the gathering of the saints, for you could receive the anointing of the Holy Spirit in such a gathering.

Effects of anointing
1. Anointing empowers one to do exploits, to witness ,to evangelize and to minister. Isaiah 61:1
2. God delivers and spares the anointed. Psalm 105:15
3. The spirit of the  Lord is on the anointed.1 Samuel 16:13
4. Divine protection is assured. 1 Samuel 24:6
5. Mercy is shown. 2 Samuel 22:51
6. God saves the anointed with his saving strength. Psalm 20:6
7. Healing is received. James 5:14
8. Evil yokes are broken. Isaiah 10:27
9. Anointing motivates you to do good and what is right. Hebrew 1:9
10. It is a seal of God on one.

Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, anointing is a seal of your ownership, anoint me and set me apart for your use and motivate me to do good and what is right always. In Jesus's name I pray.