The Purposes, Power & Benefits of the Anointing of the Holy Spirit

 

Summary:  What is the purpose(s) of the anointing of the Holy Spirit? It empowers the Spirit-filled believer for multiple, powerful ministries.

1 Samuel 16:12-13  So he sent and had [David] brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; he is the one.” [13] So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power.

•• In the Old Testament and the New Testament alike, the anointing spoke of a special action and empowerment by the Holy Spirit.

 

•• The future king David was anointed with oil by God's prophet. That was the outward expression. But what happened inwardly was far more important. The power of the Holy Spirit came upon him to equip him for the future God had for him.

• So the question concerning the Holy Spirit’s anointing arises: anointed for what? Why does God anoint us and empower us with His Holy Spirit?

2 Corinthians 1:21-22  Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, [22] set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

•• First, let it be established that God anoints His people. “He anointed us” — King David, the apostle Paul, you, me, and millions more from then to now receive this Holy Ghost anointing from God.

• Again, for what purpose does He confer upon us this spiritual anointing, this "unction" of His Holy Spirit?

Acts 1:5,8  ...in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit... [8] you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

•• One purpose of the anointing of the Holy Spirit — which comes in the baptism with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5,8; 2:1-4) — is to give us the power to “be [Christ’s] witnesses”.

• Many Christians fear witnessing because they think they have to do it with their natural abilities, their persuasive power, etc.

• No! — “You will receive power [to be His witnesses] when the Holy Spirit comes on you.” There are no powerless Christians when they are filled with the Holy Spirit and walking in the anointing of God, having received their own personal Pentecost as the early disciples did in Act 2.

• The anointing gives you Holy Ghost power that makes you a good witness. You are not limited by your lack of skills or by your temperament. As Jesus promised, "you will receive power," enablement by the Spirit of God to minister for the Lord beyond your natural capabilities.

Luke 4:18-19  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, [19] to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.

•• In this verse five purposes of the anointing, five aspects of the work of the Holy Spirit in us, are revealed:

(1) to enable you “to preach [the] good news” effectively. The news we share about Jesus is “good”. The anointing will enable you to share it with impact.

(2) to make you a Spirit-filled messenger, a “proclaim[er of] freedom for the prisoners” — freedom from the prison of sin, of drugs, of depression, of life-dominating habits.

(3) You are anointed to bring “recovery of sight for the blind” — both physical and spiritual healing, as Jesus did. Not only healing but other gifts of the Holy Spirit begin to flow from the powerful anointing of the Spirit of God in your life.

(4) You are anointed “to release the oppressed”. All around you are people oppressed by sin, sickness, demonic attacks, etc. You have a message of release for them.

(5) You are anointed “to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour” to people ignorant of the comforting message of God's grace.

Acts 10:37-38  You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached — [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.

•• The Holy Spirit anointing brings to you the power of God to go around “doing good”. Even our Lord Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit at the beginning of His ministry, and that sets a powerful example for us.

• This Greek word root for “doing good” occurs only twice in the New Testament, and its meaning is that of a philanthropist or benefactor.

• Vine’s defines it as “to bestow a benefit...” The heaven-sent power to do good in ways even beyond our natural abilities is one of the benefits of the anointing.

• The anointing is not just for healing, preaching, witnessing, delivering, and miracle-working power. Certainly, the anointing of the Holy Ghost does impart spiritual gifts into our ministries. But it is also to empower us to be benefactors, doers of good, to needy people.

• Mother Teresa must have had a powerful anointing!

•• On the spiritual side, the anointing gives you the Holy Spirit's power to break the devil’s yoke in people’s lives.

1 John 2:20, 26-27  But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.... [26] I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. [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.

•• Finally, the anointing empowers us to hear, discern, and hold to truth (vs. 20) — “You have an anointing ... and ... know the truth.”

• This does not nullify the ministries of God-anointed pastors and teachers (Ephesians 4:11). Rather, the context (26) is in contrast to false teachers.

• The Holy Spirit's anointing will help you sort out false teachers and false teachings.

• “This anointing teaches you” — the believer is properly encouraged to read the Bible for him or herself. As they do so, the Spirit of God brings illumination and clarity.

In sum, we are anointed for many important and powerful purposes, including:

• to have the power to be effective witnesses

• to enable us to share the Good News about Jesus Christ

• to proclaim freedom for the prisoners

• to bring recovery of sight for the blind

• to release the oppressed

• to proclaim the Lord’s favour and grace

• to be benefactors, doing good to needy people

• to break the devil’s yoke in the lives of bound-up people

• to teach us and help us know God’s truth versus error