The Annointer
Notes
Transcript
Definition:
the act of applying oil or an oily liquid (to the head or some other part of the body); especially in order to dedicate a person or object to a particular service or function.
Logos Bible Sense Lexicon
In the O.T. anointing was a symbol of being set apart for a purpose. Aaron was anointed as the priest of Israel, Young David was anointed as the next king. etc.
one commentator says it this way.
The Lexham Bible Dictionary Overview of Anointing in the Bible
anointing in the Bible signifies that God was “staking a claim” on the anointed
So when we look at this idea of being anointed by the Holy Spirit we must keep the O.T. historical context in mind. Why? because word’s matter. It was something special to be anointed.
Background:
In the book of Numbers we find this account of Moses. Moses is in a season of despair. He is emotionally and physically worn out from the complaints of the people. He is spent and drained because the people ask him for something he isn’t able to provide and then blame him for not providing it. His interaction with God is somewhat humorous especially for anyone who has been a leader.
So Moses asked the Lord, “Why have you brought such trouble on your servant? Why are you angry with me, and why do you burden me with all these people?
Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth so you should tell me, ‘Carry them at your breast, as a nursing mother carries a baby,’ to the land that you swore to give their ancestors?
Where can I get meat to give all these people? For they are weeping to me, ‘Give us meat to eat!’
I can’t carry all these people by myself. They are too much for me.
If you are going to treat me like this, please kill me right now if I have found favor with you, and don’t let me see my misery anymore.”
God’s reaction to Moses’ was something that Moses never expected. He took 70 men and placed his Spirit on them to help moses with the burden of leading.
Notice the anointing of the Holy Spirit was necessary for ministry.
The anointing of the Holy Spirit was the means that empowered these men to do the work God had called them too.
It was the power they rested in, trusted, and physically felt. It was this that gave them confidence to lead, discern the needs of the people, and judge correctly.
Later in Numbers 11:26-27 this event took place.
Two men had remained in the camp, one named Eldad and the other Medad; the Spirit rested on them—they were among those listed, but had not gone out to the tent—and they prophesied in the camp.
A young man ran and reported to Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.”
Well this disturbed Joshua very much. Look what Joshua says here.
Joshua son of Nun, assistant to Moses since his youth, responded, “Moses, my lord, stop them!”
Why would Joshua respond this way?
He no doubt saw this as an affront to Moses Leadership. He felt that only Moses could do the work of ministry.
However Moses had a very different reaction to this news.
Let’s look at it together.
But Moses asked him, “Are you jealous on my account? If only all the Lord’s people were prophets and the Lord would place his Spirit on them!”
Moses desire was for his people to all be empowered by the Spirit of God.
listen to this quote by R.C. Sproul.
Moses’ response is vital for our understanding of the work of the Holy Spirit. ...
In ancient Israel, during the time of Moses, this idea that the Spirit might rest on every believer was merely a hope or a prayer on the lips of Moses
Do you see it. The Holy Spirit resting in and on every believer was almost more than one could hope for.
To have every believer anointed and empowered seemed like an impossible dream.
Later this dream, This desire was prophesied to come to pass in the book of Joel.
After this I will pour out my Spirit on all humanity; then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will have dreams, and your young men will see visions.
I will even pour out my Spirit on the male and female slaves in those days.
The prophesy was that in the last days God would pour out His spirit on His people regardless of gender or societal rank. Even the slaves in Christ would be empowered to do His will.
Then we see in Acts 2 this dream, this prophecy becomes a reality.
When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place.
Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying.
They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and rested on each one of them.
Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them.
I. What once was limited in scope is now given to every believer.
I. What once was limited in scope is now given to every believer.
Before Christ, The presence of the Holy Spirit resting on people seemed to be sporadic and in only special circumstances. Even then the Spirits presence was always associated with enabling a person to do the work of God.
If a person had the Spirit they knew it and they used it to do God’s work.
II. If you have the Holy Spirit in you, you are anointed.
II. If you have the Holy Spirit in you, you are anointed.
(Repeat)
Following with our definition if you have the spirit in you you are set apart for His purpose.
Where do we see this idea in the N.T.?
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
What did a priest do in the Old Testament?
He was the means by which people accessed God through sacrifice.
So know we as Gods people are a kingdom of Priest preaching the sacrifice of Christ, The access to God. In this was we are anointed to as priest to the World.
In fact. The word we translate as “church”, ekklesia carries the meaning of “The gathering of the called out ones”.
We who have been born again, have been anointed/ set apart by the Holy Spirit to do the work of God. We are priests.
So when we read this
Then he said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
It now makes sense in the context of our purpose.
We now understand that we are acting as priests. We are representatives of God. We are anointed/set apart for this very work.
But were not just set-apart but also empowered to do it.
III. We have been anointed with power.
III. We have been anointed with power.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Power to do what?
Be His Witnesses. His Priest. His representatives to the lost world.
What does this power enable us to do?
It enables us to do whatever God deems necessary to do in order that his name might be known throughout the earth.
So this answers another question many people have:
Do the miracles performed by the apostles still happen today?
Do the miracles performed by the apostles still happen today?
Healing, raising from the dead, speaking in a language not previously know by the communicator.
I’ll answer it with the same statement?
It enables us to do whatever God deems necessary to do in order that his name might be known throughout the earth.
So when we hear of miraculous works coming out of nations where people do not know God, where there is no established church, it should not surprise us.
The Holy Spirit enables us to do whatever God deems necessary to make His name known throughout the earth.
This is why miracles are not a sign of the Holy Spirit in us. We do not need a sign. We have the promise of the Holy Spirit at salvation.
But rather it is a sign that God is still the same God who loved the world and sent his Son to die for it. And then sent His children to proclaim it and will empower them as he deems necessary.
You are anointed/ set apart for His work.
You are anointed/ set apart for His work.
