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What is the anointing that we
here so much about today?
The anointing has become an experience so that God is not
confined to the Scripture alone. While there are shreds of truth in the statement that God
is not limited, neither is He excessive. We don't put a subjective experience before the
objective word of God, nor an intuitive revelation over the word of eternal revelation. If
there is to be any true experience it would be complimentary to the word and not contradict
it. Fundamental orthodoxy has been
exchanged for a new theological thought. We are being told to learn of God by experience,
through the experience, we gain our knowledge of him. This is classic Gnosticism that God
cannot be explained except by ones own personal experience. We should not be ignorant of
Satan's schemes - he wants us to have spiritual experiences and have us think we are in
touch with the true God. He usually works through feelings because they are more difficult
to judge as truth. These have become the
current trend of mysticism. This does not mean there is no genuine experiences from God. But
any experience with quick immediate results means we need to have our discernment on
instead of off. Everything needs to be tested, especially when the supernatural is
operating. The Bible commands this it is not an option. Scripturally “the Torah
regards as an abomination any attempt of someone giving his anointing to another. Moses was
told it was grave sin even to mix the oil of one's anointing in the same measure for
another, and anyone who puts it on a person not so designated was to be cut off (Exodus
30:33). The Hebrew text says that the oil is in Heb.mekudesh lacha, literally
'set apart', or' sanctified specifically unto you.' This prohibition was evident When
Elisha asked Elijah for his mantle in which he told his protégé it is not mine to give.
He was told to wait and see if the Lord would place it on him ( Kings 2: 10) If he saw him
taken to heaven he would receive the blessing. Yet he had to leave for it to be placed on
him. 2 Kings 13:21 (adapted from PROPHECY TODAY, Volume 11, No. 6, Is the 'Toronto Blessing' a Hands-On
Experience? November 1995, Jacob Prasch of Moriel ministries). What do we see about the
anointing in the Bible? When the anointing came on Jesus it rested on him it did not come
and go as it does in the “modern anointing services,” it came only once. You will not
find the apostles speaking of an anointing coming on them to do miracle’s, their baptism
of the Spirit was no different than ours. While we all have the same Spirit, clearly their
position was greater than the regular believer. NOWHERE in the New Testament do
we read of the anointing being transmitted from one person to another person by the laying
on of hands. It was never by or from but through the laying on of hands (Acts 19). The apostles did not preach about receiving the anointing by their hands or
ministry. Nor do we read of there being a “double-portion” anointing, or triple as
Benny hinn claims. What about Elisha,
didn't he ask for a double portion of Elijah's spirit? He did not ask for a double
portion of his anointing. These are two different words in the Hebrew. 2 Kings 2:9: “And it came to
pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee,
before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy
spirit be upon me.” Vs.13 “He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and
went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan;” Vs.15 “And when the sons of the
prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest
on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.” The
mantle was his authority, clearly Elisha asked for more authority, the same as Elijah but
double. Today the anointing means having more power or to have an immediate
experience, this
is not what is presented in Scripture. Elisha had a double anointing, both for when he was alive and when he was dead. When a dead person was thrown into his grave and it touched his bones, the dead person became alive. (2 King 13:21) It wasn’t Elisha that resurrected him, but God. Elisha was dead and had nothing to do with it. It was a rising up, not a slaying or putting one down, but raising them from the dead to new life. This is what a true anointing would do. If Elisha were anointed as some teach the anointing today, he wouldn’t have died and stayed dead. He would have raised from the dead because of the double anointing, at least the way some present it today. Elisha had his prophetical office for at least fifty years, living to the age of eighty until he died of an illness (2 Kings 13:14).The purpose was to affirm his ministry. Remember he received the mantle, the authority from one who never died and was taken by God. It was not passed on through Elijah. His ministry was double that of his predecessor Elijah. Both had unique miracles in their ministry but it was Elisha who raised someone from the dead. The contrast of the two prophets and friends is that one was taken away, never seeing death. Elisha saw death yet gave life to another in his death. This miracle of Elisha’s bones is greater than any he did during his lifetime. It served as confirmation to his unfulfilled prophecies, as to that concerning the coming triumphs of Israel over Syria. The nation Israel was depressed, and this miracle would be just the thing to encourage them. This is what is meant by a double portion, there are no double portions today -- we all share the same anointing equally as he is in us (1 John 2:27). Nowhere does the New terstament teach such a thing. Elisha had
his prophetical office for at least fifty years, living to the age of eighty. His ministry
was double that of Elijah.
There are no double
portions today, we all share the same anointing equally, (1 Jn.2:27) it expresses itself in
different gifting's and functions. Today we hear of all kinds of “different
anointing's,”
or “fresh anointing's.” The anointing is the Spirit of God, he doesn't wear out. If one
claims to have a different anointing, scripturally
speaking they have a different Spirit. Today we
hear of 'new” 'fresh”, and several other descriptions of this anointing. What's wrong
with the ancient one, did it wear out, or lose its vitality? It doesn’t get stale so what
exactly are they saying? While we all need to be continually filled with the Spirit, it is
dependent on us to yield ourselves, be humble so our life has Holy Spirit control. Simon the sorcerer was the first to presume one can
get the
anointing by buying it or by knowing an apostle. In Acts 8:19-23 Simon asks: “Give
me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the
Holy Ghost. But Peter responds saying unto him, ‘Thy money perish with thee,
because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou
hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight
of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the
thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.’”
Peter summed it up by saying Simon was “bound by iniquity.” Peter’s response was a rebuke. He cursed Simon for his presumption that the Holy Spirit was like any other power he dealt with, and that he could buy this ability. Only the apostles (a select group) could possibly do these great miracles. It was something clearly apostolic, a sign to prove their ministry. In 2 Corinthians 12:12, in a rare case Paul, in rare instance, appealed to the signs he worked as proof of his apostleship. Today the anointing has become a buzz word equal to power and
authority. There is no such thing as buying an anointed audio tape or prayer cloth. That by
listening or using it, one will inherit its power or gain revelation. This is classic
occultism, to present the Holy Spirit functioning in this manner is to misrepresent not
only his activities but his personhood as God.
Nowhere do we find Paul
saying to bring handkerchiefs to him and he will place his hands on it (Acts 19:12).
How to perform miracles or
obtain stronger anointing's are not taught in Scripture, nor throughout Church history. This
is being taught only recently by those who promote power crusades of miracles and healing. Those who claim giftings like the apostles are far removed from what the scriptures teach. When apostles laid hands on people, the Holy Spirit was not coming from them. Acts 19 tells us that when Paul laid hands on some believers from Ephesus the Spirit came epi, upon them, not dia, through him. The Spirit did not come through Paul’s hands but it came upon, from above. In every New Testament example the gift of the Spirit was given from Christ above, and through the APOSTLES MINISTRY, not by any other person (Acts 2,8,10,19). It is clear these manifestations of miracles were not available to all Christians. We do not read anywhere of Paul transmitting his anointing to others by the laying on of hands, as some think Elisha received from Elijah. Those who claim apostolic offices
today are mostly biblically and historically illiterate. Apostolic succession
comes from Roman Catholicism and Mormonism, not from historic Christianity, nor
Protestantism. We do not see the anointing portrayed as a supernatural power given to the
disciples so they can go city to city to do the miraculous, or give others an experience.
The great Miracles done in the
early Church were clearly apostolic. These were signs to prove their ministry to the
unbelievers. Today these are supposed signs to the believer. Paul in 2 Cor. 12:12 appealed
to the signs he worked as one of his proofs of his apostleship, (but not as THE sign). So
it is clear the same manifestations of miracles was not available to all Christians. We do
not read anywhere of Paul transmitting his anointing to others by the laying on of hands?
Neither does Jesus
teach on how to obtain or release the anointing, yet we do find him teaching on prayer and
following after him. Acts 19:11-12: “Now God
worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons
were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil
spirits went out of them.” Theses were extraordinary not common miracles and they were by
his hands as an apostle these signs would follow them. This is not a normal practice for a
regular Christian nor was it one for the apostles. Paul did not put his hands on other
peoples prayer clothes for them to get it, there was no transference involved. It could
mean he used these to wipe the sick and they got healed, but it wasn’t the handkerchief
ministry, anymore than Jesus taught to practice here's mud or spit in your eye ministry.
Paul did not distribute clothes for people to release their faith they were healed by the
clothes by their being laid on the sick persons body. (Strong's Concordance #4612
simikinthion- a narrow apron, or a linen covering, which workmen and servants were
accustomed to wear. This was something that Paul wore himself, his own clothing that was
used, and I hope I'm not giving anyone any new Ideas.) There is no such thing as
“point-of-contact” as what the new Charismatics teach by a prayer cloth or through
physical objects like the TV. The Holy Spirit does not come by men’s hands through images
on TV or pictures or inanimate objects. This is a subtle form of Idolatry. You can’t
transfer the anointing (Holy Spirit) by your own commands, but they can transfer someone's
money from their account into their own. That’s the extent of our current modern day
miracles from the new anointed leaders! The Montanist movement in the
early church would be a similar model that is copied today, yet the Church condemned them
for their heresy. Not just for the excess in their prophesying and tongues. They declared
the age of the Holy Spirit had come and the end of the world was soon coming. Their
practice was imparting the anointing and spiritual gifts to others. But didn’t
Christ say in John 14:12 “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me, the works
that I do he will do also, and greater works than these he will do, because I am going to
the Father.” The word for “greater” is meizon which means in greater degree, not
greater in nature but larger in extension. The word for “works” is ergon.
It means (to work); toil (as an effort or occupation); an activity if Jesus meant
miracles he would have used dunamis as with power. During His
ministry time on earth, Jesus had confined in His influence to the Jews in Palestine.
After His departure, His apostles and followers were able to go to places he never
did having their influence reach much larger numbers all over the world.
We also can do greater
works, as in more abundance, because the ministry of the Spirit is not limited to one only,
but now has many. Greater is in reference to number, not in quality or nature. Our extent will have a
greater affect. The apostles never did a greater miracle than the resurrection or
make the blind see, nor we can. What is greater is the ability to bring someone in a direct
contact with Christ and have the Holy Spirit live in them by their believing the gospel,
this was something that was not offered at the time he said this. Yet read in
context he also states afterward, “Whatever you Ask in my name, that I will do,
that the Father may be glorified in the son.” In other words by prayer and following his
will this will be accomplished. Notice he will do this, it is not that one goes around
using the power at their own volition. Many describe a change of
personality when this power comes on them. Others can see the moment this takes place. When
the anointing comes on them they are a different person, they become loud, rude, moved by a
power beyond normal. They can become violent and out of control, and may not even remember
what they said or did under the influence. If this isn't their own pumping themselves up
then it is of great concern. Then this has to be another spirit, because 1 Jn.2:27 says
that he is in us already, and they do not act like this all the time, so something
“new” is occurring, something that is certainly not described in the Scripture. Can you
picture the Apostle's Paul or Peter running up to people slapping them on the side of their
head, yelling about the power or lining people up to be slain. Today perspiration has been
mistaken for inspiration. There is nothing written in the
in the Old Testament or New Testament of any methodology, formulas, or keys, by which
individuals can receive the anointing,
increase the anointing, have different anointing's or loose the anointing on others. So
where does this teaching come from? They explain it with circular reasoning, it comes from
new revelation, which one can only have by receiving the new anointing, but one can only
get the new revelation by the anointing. When the Samaritans in Acts 8
and the Gentiles in Acts 10 received the Holy Spirit it was a shock to the Jewish
believers. This was not the normal occurrence
to see people receive the Spirit by someone laying hands on them, or falling
on them and as a group speaking another language. While the Samaritans had the apostles lay
hands on them, this was a one time occurrence. They didn't have to do this every time
someone came into the body of Christ. They were approving of God’s work in and toward
them giving them his blessing. It was Paul who said to Timothy (1 Tim.5:22) not to lay
hands on people quickly, to avoid partaking in their sins. Essentially the laying on of
hands was to approve someone into ministry or speak or approve a blessing. There is another laying on of
hands that we seem to overlook. In Acts 4 Peter and John spoke to the religious leaders
boldly of what is right before God, they spoke of his resurrection giving them the Gospel.
In vs. 3 it states from their being so disturbed that they rebuked the popular leaders in
office, “they laid hands on them and put them in custody until the next
day.” It appears this kind of laying on of hands is spiritually applied to those who
speak out against false representations of the Holy Spirit. When the apostles laid hands on
people it wasn’t to give there anointing. In Ex.30:32 Israel was told not to mix
the oil to another. Oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit, God’s anointing. Incense has to
do with worship and prayer. Vs.34 no oil and no incense is to be mixed either. Do these
people who are promoting this anointing have a crucified life or are they living lavishly.
Jesus was anointed for burial in the house of Mary and Martha before he was exalted before
his brethren. Which tells us that we need to die to our self first before we can exhibit
the true power of God. It always the flesh being aroused and exhibited instead in the
background and Jesus in the forefront. God wants the church to be honest of our need. To
really say we are broken and in need not saying we have it and are going to give it out.
You can make a corpse look alive with a lot of perfume and activity but underneath it still
stinks of death. What did Paul say the proof of his anointing was? His miracles? No! Signs
and wonders or his wealth? No! It was I bear the marks of Christ on my body, fulfilling
the suffering. He died to his old life, he first was anointed for his burial, so God
anointed him with his power to new life.
Touch not my anointed
The charismatic cliché for
self protection is “touch not my anointed.” It is grinded into the followers and whined
by them to those who have anything to say about their favorite teachers. In the OT
prophets, priests and Kings were anointed. David did not touch Saul (1 Sam.26:23) because
he was God’s anointed, but it did not prevent him from telling the truth about Saul. 1
Sam. 16:13-16 David was anointed before God took away Saul's position. David wouldn’t
touch Saul physically, but it didn’t stop him from telling the truth about him. Look at
v.11, it tells us that he would not stretch his hand out to touch him but took his spear
and water jug. In v.15 David rebukes Abner for not guarding Saul and he says that he
deserved to die. Saul hears the commotion and comes out and David rebukes him before all
the troops asking why he is pursuing his life since he is innocent that the king has come
out to seek a flea. Saul then repents for his rash behavior and called himself a fool.
David then returns Saul's possessions and says, “For the Lord delivered you into my hand
but I would not stretch out my hand against the Lords anointed.” Saul was anointed as
King over Israel, he had a position of rulership that was temporary. Unlike those today who
shout don’t touch God’s anointed, they are self appointed positions. In the real story
it Saul was pursuing to kill David who was innocent. Likewise today the threats are made
against those who speak out against the abuse and manipulation of Saul’s. David did not
touch him physically, I agree neither should we, but I also agree they should not make
threats against those who speak out about them. But instead repent as Saul did and go their
way, leaving the ones who speak the truth to live another day. David did not physically
touch Saul, he respected his office but this did not prevent him from giving a public rebuke.
Even David later on in his ministry as King accepted rebuke and correction from Nathan the
prophet. He did not say, “don’t touch Gods anointed” to protect himself, and neither
should those in leadership do the same. Do these people who are
promoting this anointing have a crucified life or are they living lavishly. Jesus was
anointed for burial in the house of Mary and Martha before he was exalted. Which tells us
by his example that we need to die to self first, before we can exhibit the true power of
God. It always the flesh being aroused and exhibited in the forefront, instead Jesus is in
the background. God wants the Church to be honest. To really say we are broken and in need
not saying we have it and are going to give it out. You can’t make a corpse look alive
with a lot of perfume and activity. What did Paul say the proof of his anointing was? His
miracles? No! signs and wonders or wealth. No! It was I bear the marks of Christ on my
body, fulfilling the suffering. He died to his old life anointed for burial, so that god
could anoint him with power as he lived his life fully unto Christ. Who is “My anointed”? There
is only one anointed one, that is Jesus. Acts 2:36
Peter says God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ, (anointed one) he points to
the person of Christ not himself as anointed. Peter is drawing on Ps.133 it begins to talk
about unity before it talks of the anointing. It is like the precious oil (Holy Spirit)
coming down upon the head coming down upon the beard (Aaron) Aaron is a type of Jesus, a
shadow of the New Testament priest who is Jesus. In the Old Testament they poured the oil over the
head and it dripped down over the garment which is over the body. Christ is the head of the church as
the husband is over the wife. To be anointed we must be part of the body, united and
attached to the head only under his head If the church wants the true
anointing we need to get under the anointed one who was made head of the Church. Ps.
133 tells us “Behold how good and how pleasant it is for the brethren to dwell
together.” The next verse it is like the precious oil poured out on Aaron's head, coming
down off his beard and dripping on to the rest of his body. Hebrews tells us Aaron as high
priest is a picture of Christ a greater one. Christ replaces the Levitical priesthood as an
eternal priest according to the order of Melchizedek. Biblically the anointing flows off
the head to the members of his body. It become obvious to
those who are biblically literate that whatever is being transferred
today from one person to another is not the true anointing. There was no such silliness
practiced by the apostles. There was a sobriety and peace when the truth was communicated.
There is only one anointed “ THE CHRIST”, and we need to be under him. Which means to
obey him and present the TRUTH, the way it was written. Today there is a lot of
spiritual guruism in Christianity right now. People go to teachers to get their revelation
and have others lead them into their relationship with God. They ask for their prayers, as
Protestants we never would buy into a single Pope, so instead we now have several of them,
they are called the anointed, the new apostles and prophets. A Mediator is someone who
stands between an individual or group and God, he is essential to tTheir relationship, just as the
guru is to
his devotee. They wait for him to impart a word or a technique to them. Fresh words touted
as if they supersede the Bible itself, and are accepted as new knowledge. The Bible says we
don’t need human mediators we can instead go directly to the Lord by the merit of His
blood. (Heb10). This is the whole point of a personal relationship!
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