Anointed to Preach

Isaiah 61:1 "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me
to preach good tidings to the poor; NKJV

Someone once asked me how I determined if there was an anointing on any given message or preacher. That is a very good question and not easy to answer. I have never heard specific teaching that would help answer that question but I gave it my best shot. In very simple terms I replied: “It has a certain ring to it. If a bell is hanging free without contacting another object it will resound and its vibrations will penetrate deep into the ear of the hearer. If touching another object, it will have a dead or dull sounding thud that can not pierce the heart.” The anointing is compared to an ointment or an oil that, when rubbed on, can penetrate and soften the skin. The anointing can penetrate the hearts of the hearers but, depending on the listeners’ response, it can either cause repentance, a willingness to change, or it can stir up defensiveness and anger. Some are irritated by the sound of a bell and others receive pleasure from its rich tones.

Those who are anointed of God have received power and authority to preach and share the good news of the gospel. When the Spirit of God was poured out upon the believers at Pentecost, they received power to witness. They were anointed to speak with convincing words that penetrated hearts. When Peter spoke, three thousand responded with repentance, but when Stephen spoke under that same anointing, he was turned on and stoned to death. Jesus encountered various responses to His words. The common folks heard Him gladly, yet others wanted to kill Him and were eventually successful. Jesus said that we could expect to be treated in the same way He was. Some will love the message and others will respond with hate and murder.

Though Jesus was the Christ, the anointed one of God, His own disciples did not always grasp His words; they sometimes struggled to understand what He taught. We can not always assume that an anointing will get through to the hearer. Many liked His message and the way He provided material blessings, such as feeding the multitudes with loaves and fishes. After their bellies were filled they wanted Him to be their king, but He knew that they were only interested in the temporary things of this life. He wanted them to seek after the eternal bread from heaven that would sustain eternal life.

In John 16, Jesus told his followers that He was about to go away but that the Holy Spirit would come to be with them. When the Spirit comes, He will convince and convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. It is the conviction of the Holy Spirit that causes men’s hearts to either soften or rebel. Just as they were anointed with power, so we are today, through receiving of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus is the anointed one and all who follow Him receive their anointing from being in relationship with Him. He is the head of the body and, as our High Priest, the anointing is poured upon Him. It then runs down over the body to the borders of His garment. As His followers we receive the anointing from our union with Him and as part of His body.

Ps 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments. NKJV

Every believer that is in fellowship with Christ receives an anointing, but there seems to be another level, or dimension, to the corporate anointing. Psalm 133:3 speaks of a commanded blessing that accompanies those who are dwelling together in unity. There is power in agreement. We must always ask according to His will but when believers join together in agreement, the results are greater. Matthew 18:19 "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. NKJV

God has set each member in the body as He sees fit and each member has a part to play. I believe there are different dimensions of the anointing depending on the gift we are given to edify the rest of the body. In Romans 12, Paul does not use the term anointing in reference to body ministry but he speaks of the measure of faith and grace that has been given. Grace is favor, a divine enabling to do the works of God.

Romans 12:3-8For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. NKJV

The context of this portion of scripture in Romans is speaking of us as individuals. We each have a unique gift for ministering to others. Though all can prophesy, teach and give offerings, there are some individuals who have a special anointing of power and grace that enables them to excel in their gift beyond the ordinary. Paul says that we should prophesy in proportion to the grace given. Some have been given a greater measure of faith and a greater grace than others to use their gifts. That does not mean that one is more important than another. It just means that we do not all have the same function or position in the body.

So, we all have an anointing from God, but there is an anointing upon the position or function we are given in the body. If someone is out of their position, or trying to minister in ways they were not given grace for, they would be lacking the anointing for the job. In a similar way, if someone is timid about their position and allows another to crowd into it, so to speak, there could be a lack of anointing on that position. Jesus is the head and we are His body and members in particular. We do not choose our own positions or anointing. We receive that which flows from the head.

There is an anointing upon leadership positions that are chosen or appointed by men, as well. As a church body, we vote in a new pastor to lead the congregation. In most cases, man has only recognized what God has already ordained, but God honors the choice of men and there is a mantle, or an anointing of grace, given to do the job. This is true of other positions in the church as well. Though in the natural leaders need to be trained and prepared for any given position, without the grace or anointing of God upon them they will not be as affective in their position.

So, in conclusion, let us remain together in unity so that God will command the blessing. Let us stay in proper relationship with Christ as the head and others in the body, so that we will be positioned to receive that which is poured upon the head as it flows down to the body. And let us use our powerful, anointed gifts to minister life to others.