There is a term that many people use in Christian circles that represents a
wonderful spiritual reality.
As workmen of God’s Word (II Timothy 2:15), we want to aspire to be our
best in working the integrity of God’s Word for our loving Heavenly Father.
As we read God’s Word we need to realize that the interpretation or
understanding of a word or words must be in light of the Author’s intention.
We also must recognize, because of not having the “original” God-breathed
Word, that we need to use the right tools to be proper workmen, rightly
dividing the Word of truth. We must understand the Bible in light of the
vocabulary and grammar of the writers who wrote God’s Word. We must also
recognize forms of expressions used including figures of speech and customs of
those lands and times in which the Bible was written. And we also need to
consider the context, to whom addressed, and realize that we have translations
by men into other languages. We utilize these tools to understand the
Scriptures.
Our quest in this article is to understand the Biblical meaning of the word
“anointing.” It must be a big deal, because David who was being pursued by
King Saul had the opportunity to slay him but would not because “he was the
Lord’s anointed.” (I Samuel 24:10 and 26:23). When David was in power he
was anointed. This was very significant for him.
Psalm 18:50:
Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and showeth mercy to his anointed,
to David, and to his seed for evermore.
What exactly does “anointed” mean? The Old Testament Hebrew word that
is used the most means to literally “smear on.” One of the Greek words
used in the New Testament literally means “to rub.” In the book, Manners
and Customs of the Bible by James Freeman, he comments that anointing was
an ancient custom by the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans as well as other
civilizations. A solution, made mostly of olive oil and fragrant, costly
spices, would be rubbed on or put on the head or feet according to the custom.
It was done at coronations of kings and at the installation of the high
priest. It was an act of recognizing that the person was very special. George
Lamsa, an Aramaic scholar, says it is used as another word for ordination,
appointment, calling. Prophets and kings were often anointed.
Let’s see how God used this custom of anointing.
Exodus 28:41:
And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him; and
shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may
minister unto me in the priest’s office.
Exodus 30:31:
And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, This shall be an
holy anointing oil unto me throughout your generations.
Leviticus 8:12:
And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron’s head, and anointed him, to
sanctify him.
The recipe for anointing oil is found in Exodus 30:22-25.
There are two words in the Greek that are translated “anointing.” The
first one is aleipho and simply means “anointing.”
Mark 6:13:
And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick,
and healed them.
The other word is chrio meaning to rub. The following verse is very
significant as it declares Jesus Christ was not anointed with oil, but with
the holy ghost and with power.
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.
You and I are also anointed with holy spirit and power which is the new
birth gift we received when we were born again. What a wonderful reality for
us to know that we are very special in God’s eyes. Like Jesus Christ, we too
can go about doing good and healing all that are oppressed of the devil.
II Corinthians 1:21 and 22:
Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is
God;
Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our
hearts.
This is what Walter Cummins says about verse 21 in His book, A Journey
through the Acts and Epistles:
“hath anointed: Greek: chriō =
to anoint. The cognate noun, christos, means “the Christ, the
anointed one.” This verb form occurs three other times (Acts 4:27; 10:38;
Hebrews 1:9) and always with regard to the fact that God anointed Jesus
Christ. II Corinthians 1:21 is the only occurrence in which it is used of
other people being anointed. Hence, such anointed people are established in
Christ, the anointed one.”
The word “Christ” means the anointed one. We, too, are the anointed
ones in God’s eyes. What a fantastic reality! We are very special!
I John 2:20:
But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
The word “unction” is the word we are working, chrio.
Read the following which dynamically portrays the wonderful reality that we
have received the anointing—the gift of holy spirit which teaches us the
truth (via the revelation manifestations of Word of Knowledge, Word of Wisdom
and Discerning of Spirits.)
I John 2:27 & 28:
But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need
not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all
things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye
shall abide in him.
And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may
have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
George Lamsa, in his book New Testament Light on page 308 says:
“John assures the Christians that their anointing, that is, their
calling, or ordination, was sufficient to lead them to the truth of the
gospel of Jesus Christ.”
As Jesus Christ was marked out to be very special, so are we! As Jesus
Christ was anointed with holy spirit and power, so are we! As Jesus Christ
went about doing good and healing all that are oppressed of the devil, so can
we. And as God was with Jesus, so is He with us!
You and I who are born again are also marked out as very special and have a
significant calling to serve in the Body of Christ until Christ returns. Let’s
rise up to our calling as the anointed of God.
- Bob Lindfelt
