What is anointing?
ANOINT describes the procedure of rubbing or smearing a person or thing, usually with oil, for the purpose of healing, setting apart, or embalming. (Source: Holman Dictionary)
Anointing and power
From ancient times the priests and kings were ceremonially anointed as a sign of official appointment to office, and as a symbol of God’s power upon them.
Jesus had a powerful ministry because of God’s anointing.
(Luke 4:18 NIV) “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed…
(Acts 10:38 NIV) how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
Likewise, Israel (Ps. 89:38), and even Cyrus (Isa. 45:1) are called God’s anointed because of God’s working through them.
(Isa 45:1-3 NIV) “This is what the LORD says to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of to subdue nations before him and to strip kings of their armor, to open doors before him so that gates will not be shut: {2} I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. {3} I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.
How do we get anointing?
A person can anoint himself, be anointed, or anoint another person or thing.
Anointing by God
The Christian is anointed by God (2 Cor. 1:21; 1 John 2:27) for the tasks of ministry.
(2 Cor 1:21-22 NIV) Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, {22} set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
(1 John 2:27 NIV) As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit–just as it has taught you, remain in him.
The anointing from God comes when the Holy Spirit falls on you to empower you.
(Luke 4:18 NIV) “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed,
(Acts 10:38 NIV) how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
We need to do God’s work not with our own power but with the power of God that comes by the anointing of the Holy Spirit. If any one lacks power in ministry, he should ask of the Holy Spirit to anoint him with power.
Anointing by leaders
(Exo 28:41 NIV) After you put these clothes on your brother Aaron and his sons, anoint and ordain them. Consecrate them so they may serve me as priests.
Christians can also ask their leaders to anoint them, especially before they embark on a difficult task.