What is The Anointing?

The church seems to have a conflicting relationship with what some people refer to as “the anointing.” Some circles are all about it, some don’t have anything to say about it at all, and others rarely mention it outside of harshly criticizing those who proudly boast of its work in their lives and ministries. 

But what exactly is the anointing? This seemingly simple inquiry can result in confusion laced with frustration and a lot of head-scratching. Various explanations have been touted throughout the years by those we can only assume have good intentions. Unfortunately, the lack of clarification has resulted in false teaching with often detrimental outcomes. Therefore, the purpose of this writing is to correct some of those unfortunate teachings and encourage each individual believer to have confidence in what their relationship with Jesus Christ really means. 

In order to understand what “the anointing” is, we need to get down to the basics. 

TERMINOLOGY

To anoint means to rub or smear with a liquid. In the biblical text this was usually done with oil, but there were times when other liquids were used, such as ointment (Isaiah 38:21), spices (Luke 23:56), or perfume (Amos 6:6).  

NATURAL PURPOSES

Anointing oneself was a part of personal grooming. This included the normal use of cologne (Ecclesiastes 9:8), and well as in preparation for sexual intimacy. This is seen in the book of Ruth when Naomi instructed Ruth to put on perfume before presenting herself to Boaz (Ruth 3:3), and also in the beauty treatments that Esther received before going before King Xerxes (Esther 2:12). Anointing oneself was usually discontinued during times of mourning and fasting (2 Sam. 14:2; Dan. 10:3); however, Jesus taught his disciples to continue anointing themselves while they fasted so that it would be done in secret (Mat. 6:17). 

Anointing someone was also a way to show hospitality to house guests. The Ancient Near East, where most of the Biblical narrative takes place, provided a very hot climate, and oils were needed to preserve the skin. Oils gave both the guests and the home a pleasant scent. David writes of God as being this type of gracious host in Psalm 23:5. “You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil…” (Pss. 23:5). This particular act of hospitality was neglected by the Pharisee who invited Jesus to dinner, but fulfilled through the worship of the woman who anointed his feet with expensive perfume (Luke 7:36-50). 

Oil and ointments were also used for medicinal purposes. The parable of the Good Samaritan shows how both oil and wine were used to treat and disinfect wounds (Luke 10:34).

The disciples also used olive oil to anoint the sick when they went on their missionary journey. After receiving their instructions and authority to heal from Jesus, “they cast out many demons and healed many sick people, anointing them with olive oil” (Mark 6:13). The apostle James, who was also Jesus’s brother and the leader of the church in Jerusalem, continued this sentiment in his letter to “the twelve tribes” (James 1:1). In it, he encouraged those who were sick to have the elders of the church anoint them with oil and pray for them (5:14).  

In addition to aiding the sick, the bodies of the deceased were also anointed before burial, but usually with ointment and spices instead of oil. It was common practice during the times of the New Testament to bury someone on the same day of their death. Their body would immediately be washed with ointments and perfumes before being wrapped tightly with strips of cloth and laid in its resting place. A biblical example is Jesus’ own burial. After he was crucified, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus took perfumed ointments made from aloes and myrrh and wrapped his body with them before laying him in a tomb (John 19:38-42). In addition, Mark 16:1 also tells us Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome purchased spices to anoint Jesus’ body.

SACRED PURPOSES 

Beyond natural uses, oil was used during worship as well. This was on an individual basis, as well as for the appointing of leadership and different aspects of assembled worship. 

For instance, Jacob worshipped God after God revealed Himself to him in a dream. After waking, Jacob anointed the pillar he’d slept against with oil (Gen. 28:18). 

Oil was used to anoint individuals for divinely appointed leadership during the time of the Mosaic Covenant. In these instances, oil was used as a symbolic representation of the Holy Spirit. The leaders who were anointed with oil this way were the high priests, the prophets, and the kings. These instances of being anointed did not always include ceremony, and Scripture does not tell us of every single instance when a priest, prophet, or king was anointed before serving. Nevertheless, being anointed was a requirement for these sacred duties. We see this with Aaron (Lev. 8:12), Jehu (2 Kings 9:6), and Elisha (1 Kings 19:16). 

SO WHAT IS THE ANOINTING, THEN?

To keep things simple, what is referred to as “the anointing” is the personal indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the supernatural ability She gives believers to work for God. Every believer in Jesus Christ has “the anointing” because they are a part of the New Covenant. The aforementioned Mosaic Covenant offices of high priest, prophet, and king have been fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Under the New Covenant, He is the high priest (Heb. 4:14-5:10), the prophet (Deut. 18:15-19; Luke 9:35; Matt. 21:11; Acts 3:22-23; ), and the king (John 12:12-16, 19:17-22; Rev. 22:16), and believers make up the priesthood (1 Pet. 2:5; Rev. 1:6). The anointing is no longer represented by physical oil, but is instead spiritual because worship now takes place in the heart. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, God has graciously given you the Holy Spirit. Therefore, you are anointed.