I've received a lot of questions surrounding the idea of anointing in the Bible. This can be a really touchy topic in Christian circles because so many of us are biased by our denominational background. I have either been a member of or attended over a dozen denominations.
I was raised in the charismatic Pentecostal tradition, and I have a religion degree from a Southern Baptist university, although I am not a Baptist today. Because of my experience in a wide range of traditions, from PCA and Reformed to Southern Baptist, Mennonite, Anglican, Methodist, and more, I have seen many interpretations, including topics like anointing. It's important to always be the first critic of your own tradition.
So, whatever tradition you're in and whatever perspective they tend to take, be willing to hold it up to scripture and ask, is this actually what scripture supports, or am I simply going along with what I'm comfortable with? Now, let's get specific about the issue of anointing. In charismatic circles, the idea of anointing is typically used to describe a specific calling on someone's life, the favor of God, or the grace of God for a specific mission. This lines up with how the Bible presents anointing in the Old Testament, where kings and priests would often be anointed for a very specific task that God had called them to do.
The oil of anointing symbolized God's calling, blessing, and favor on them for that task, but the oil itself had no power. Examples of this would be King David, who was anointed by Samuel, as well as King Saul, Aaron, the high priest who Moses anointed for the task of leading Israel spiritually. It's important to note two things about anointing in the Bible.
The precedent that we see is that someone else always gives the anointing. It's always coming from someone to someone else. Secondly, 1 John 2:27 says that the anointing that we received from God abides in us.
This means that the grace and favor that Christ has upon us is permanent and with us. His favor is his grace, and that is not removable. So what does this mean? It means that whether you're charismatic, you're Reformed, or you're Baptist, scripture makes a case for anointing.
Specifically, James where says that elders are to anoint the sick with oil as a process, as a part of bringing them to the Lord for healing. At the same time, in the charismatic church, there has been an abuse of anointing, elevating this idea of anointing above what scripture says and making it an object. The ultimate anointing is what we have received through Christ on the cross, which is the favor and grace of God for anything we are called to do in his name.
And that will always abide with you.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Alicia Fdez
Originally published by @phyliciamasonheimer. Used with permission.
