ABOUT THE ANOINTING

There are many different kinds of individual anointing.
The 5-Fold Ministry (Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, Teacher: Eph:4:11)
Special Anointings in the Gifts of the Spirit [1Cor:12:7-11 • 1Cor:12:28]
Special Anointings in the Area of Helps, Administrations, etc [1Cor:12:28]

The 5-Fold Ministry:

When God calls someone into the 5-fold ministry (Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, Teacher) He anoints him with supernatural power and ability to carry out the functions of that office. When we understand this it becomes easy to recognize those who are called and anointed by God for the office they stand in because they seem to have a supernatural endowment to carry out the functions of that office with ease and excellence. It also becomes easy to recognize when someone is not called and anointed to an office because they are not able to perform the duties of that office in a manner consistent with the excellence required by the Lord for that office. Everything is a struggle for them, and the enemy seems to constantly be able to overcome them and their goals.

It is important to mention here that no one should ever attempt to stand in a ministry office without the call of God and the anointing that comes with the office. Not only is it dangerous for the individual personally to attempt to stand in one of the 5-fold ministry offices if they have not been called and anointed to that office - but it can also bring great harm to the body of Christ. [Read what happened to Aaron and Miriam when they tried to stand in an office that they were not called to by God: Numbers 12:1-10]

Special Anointings:

Every born-again person has the Spirit in them - and thereby is enabled by the Spirit to be used in ALL of the gifts of the Spirit [1Cor:12:7-11] whenever the Spirit wills and to the level that they are willing to be used by Him. However, the Lord does grant special anointings to certain individuals who seem to be able to operate in a higher degree of various gifts. I have seen, and known individuals who operate in a higher degree of the gifts of healing than most other people, and still others where the Word of knowledge is in manifestation to a greater degree than in others. These special anointings are granted by the Lord for whatever reason He chooses and they are not something that someone can just simply call upon at their own discretion. it is as the Spirit wills [1Cor:12:11]

Additionally, every born-again person is anointed to some degree to be a help [1Cor:12:28] to the body of Christ and to assist in the many different needs of the ministry as they are needed and called upon by the Pastor and other Leaders of the Church. Yet, I have seen and known individuals that seem to operate in certain areas with a greater anointing than others in the area of helps, administration, etc. Again, this is something that the Lord anoints them to do for a specific reason and it is not something that we, on our own can just scoop up at will.

The Individual Anointing:

For the purpose of this study I want to focus specifically on the basic individual anointing:
"But you have an unction (anointing) from the Holy One..." [1 Jn 2:20]
"... the anointing which you have received of Him abides (lives, remains, dwells) in you..." [1 Jn 2:27]
"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world." [1 Jn 4:4]

Notice three things:
1. You have an anointing
2. The Anointing abides (lives) in you
3. The Anointing is there for a purpose (to over-come the world)

There is no doubt that we have an anointing because the Word of God says so: " But you have an unction (anointing) from the Holy One..." And, we see from the Scripture that this anointing or unction is not just a passive thing that is simply placed in us for some future unknown reason or just to simply seal us - but rather the anointing abides in us.

The Greek Word used here that is translated as abides is 'meno': It literally means to dwell - take up residence - remain - live. This anointing is a living and tangible thing that lives in us - takes up residence in us - dwells in us - and best of all - it remains in us (it never leaves us!). The reason for this is because we are talking about the Holy Spirit Himself - whom God has promised will come to live in us and will never leave or forsake us.

"... as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." [2Cor:6:16]
"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever" [John 14:16]
"... for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." [Heb:13:5]
For A Purpose:
Finally, the anointing that we have received of Him is for a purpose!
"But you shall receive power, after the Holy Ghost is come upon you ...and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. " [Acts:1:8]
"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world." [1 Jn 4:4] According to the Scriptures the purpose of the anointing is two-fold:
1. To be a witness to the saving power and goodness of Christ.
2. To overcome the World (and the things that are in it)

Power to Witness:

The disciples received specific instructions from the Lord Jesus himself that they were to wait in Jerusalem until they had been imbued with power from on high. They were told not to go anywhere - nor were they to do anything until they received this power or anointing of the Holy Ghost.
Power to Overcome:

The anointing that abides in us is there to help us to overcome those things that come against us and the plan of God for our life: Sickness, poverty, lack, weakness, doubt, anxiety, stress, confusion, depression, oppression, etc. are the various ways we are hunted by the trials and temptations of life. According to Acts 10:38, the anointing which Jesus received was used by him to deliver those who were hunted by the devil. In the same manner, when we have an indwelling of anointing, we automatically acquire the tools to enable us overcome trials, tests, temptation, disease, ignorance and poverty. However, it is important to note that the level to which we receive and lean on the anointing, is the level of the power we shall exercise when endeavoring to overcome these things when they come against us.

This is why it is so important to not only be sealed with the Holy Spirit - but to be baptized by Him and filled with Him continually. (it doesn't take a genius to realize that being FULL of power is better than being almost empty!) "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;" [Eph:5:18] A careful study of the above scripture will show that the literal translation of the original Greek is as follows: "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be being continually filled with the Spirit;".

Did you notice that we are to be continually filled? This would indicate that just being filled once is not enough! Apparently the possibility exists that (like a battery) as we use the power or anointing - as it flows out of us [Jn:7:38] we are literally drained to some degree and so we need to refill it - continually so that we stay filled! Otherwise why would we need to be continually filled. If this wasn't the case then all we would need to do is to be filled once and that would be enough - right?

A Greater Anointing:

There is an individual anointing - and it has a purpose. And, apparently that anointing has power - and is given to us in order for us to use it in witnessing - and to overcome those things that come against us. But there is a greater anointing! And it is for our use as well to Praise God! To praise Him for whom He is; To express thanksgiving and gratitude. This anointing opens the flood gate to wealth and healing.