Summary: In The Old Testament prophets, priests and kings were anointed by God for a particular work or service. In the New Covenant all born-again believers are anointed.

Compiled by: Herman Abrahams (Senior Pastor), Cornerstone Faith Ministries, P.O. Box 740, Westridge 7802, Rep. of South Africa.

E-Mail: Mentorship2003@yahoo.co.uk

Note to the reader:

If you have been blessed with this sermon compilation, I would be honoured to receive an e-mail from you merely telling me where in the world you are based- I do not need any other information. This is merely so that I can have the pleasure of giving thanks to Almighty God that all over the globe the ministry which he has entrusted to me, is blessing the body of Christ and helping to extend the Kingdom of God.

Thank you.

Herman Abrahams,

Cape Town, South Africa.

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18.08.2007

WHAT IS THE ANOINTING?

1. ANOINT, ANOINTING — to authorize, or set apart, a person for a particular work or service

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a) (Is. 61:1-3).

Isa 61:1 "The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,

because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim freedom for the captives

and release from darkness for the prisoners,

Isa 61:2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’S favor

and the day of vengeance of our God,

to comfort all who mourn,

Isa 61:3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—

to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,

the oil of gladness instead of mourning,

and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair."

Isaiah was anointed for a particular ministry.

b) More definitions

ANOINT (ED)

- O.T. Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary no. 4886 ‘to rub with oil’ ‘to consecrate’ ‘to paint’

- NT Strong’s Greek Dictionary no. 5548 ‘to smear or rub with oil’ ‘to consecrate to an office’

ANOINTING

- O.T. Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary no. 4888 ‘unction’ – by impl., ’a consecratory gift’, ‘ointment’.

- NT Strong’s Greek Dictionary no. 5545 ‘smearing’ ‘special endowment of the Holy Spirit’

2. The Anointed Person Belonged To God In A Special Sense.

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The phrases, “the Lord’s anointed,” “God’s anointed,” “My anointed,” “Your anointed,” or “His anointed” are used of :

Saul (1 Sam. 26:9, 11)

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1Sa 26:9 But David said to Abishai, “Don’t destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the LORD’S anointed and be guiltless? 1Sa 26:10 As surely as the LORD lives,” he said, “the LORD himself will strike him; either his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. 1Sa 26:11 But the LORD forbid that I should lay a hand on the LORD’S anointed. Now get the spear and water jug that are near his head, and let’s go.”

David (2 Sam. 22:51),

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2Sa 22:51 He gives his king great victories; he shows unfailing kindness to his anointed,

to David and his descendants forever.”

and Solomon (2 Chr. 6:42).

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2Ch 6:42 O LORD God, do not reject your anointed one. Remember the great love promised to David your servant.”

3. Priests, Kings, And Prophets Were Anointed.

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Oil was poured on the head of the person being anointed (Ex. 29:7).

a) Priests - Consecrationg Aaron & sons

Ex 29:1 “This is what you are to do to consecrate them…Ex 29:7 Take the anointing oil and anoint him by pouring it on his head.

b) Kings were set apart through the ritual of

anointing, which was performed by a prophet who acted in God’s power and authority-

1Sa 15:1 Samuel said to Saul, “I am the one the LORD sent to anoint you king over his people Israel; so listen now to the message from the LORD."

c) Prophets - The Old Testament also records two instances of the anointing of a prophet (1 Kin. 19:16; Is. 61:1).

1 Ki 19:16 "Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet."

4) Jesus The Messiah Is Described As “Anointed.”

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i) Jesus said he was anointed - Luke 4:17-21

Lk 4:17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

Lk 4:18 “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,

Lk 4:19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Lk 4:20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him,

Lk 4:21 and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

ii) Peter described Jesus as anointed

Ac 10:38 "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. (Peter)

Acts 4:23 "When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God… Ac 4:27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed." (Peter & John)

iii) “Messiah” (Strong’s OT 4899) comes from the Hebrew word for “anointed” and “Christ” (Strong’s NT 5547) comes from the Greek word.

5. In the New Testament, all who are Christ’s disciples are said to be anointed.

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i) They are God’s very own, set apart and commissioned for service (2 Cor. 1:21).

2Co 1:21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us,

2Co 1:22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

ii) We are a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:5,9)

1 Pe 2:5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

1 Pe 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

iii) The anointing is within you (1 John 2:20,27) !!

1 Jn 2:20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.

1Jn 2:27 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.

iv) The Anointing is the Power of God – Luke 24:19 / Acts 2:4

THE PROMISE MADE

Lk 24:45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.

Lk 24:46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,

Lk 24:47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Lk 24:48 You are witnesses of these things.

Lk 24:49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

THE PROMISE FULFILLED

Ac 2:4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

6) In The New Testament, Anointing Was Frequently Used In Connection With Healing.

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Jesus’ disciples anointed the sick (Mark 6:13),

Mk 6:12 They went out and preached that people should repent.

Mk 6:13 They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.

James instructed the elders of the church to anoint the sick with oil (James 5:14). This anointing was for healing.

Jas 5:14 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.

Jas 5:15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.

7) Anointing in the New Testament also refers to the anointing of the Holy Spirit, which brings understanding (1 John 2:20, 27).

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1 Jn 2:20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.

1 Jn 2:27 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.

CONCLUSION

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This anointing is not only for kings, priests, and prophets; it is for everyone who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ. The anointing occurs physically with a substance such as oil, myrrh, or balsam. But this is also a spiritual anointing, as the Holy Spirit anoints a person’s heart and mind with the love and truth of God.