Spirit Series - Interactive Book Platform

Before we can fully appreciate and walk in the anointing of the Holy Spirit, we must first understand what it is. The anointing is not a metaphor, though it is often described in metaphorical language. It is a real, tangible reality—a dimension of the Holy Spirit’s presence and work that has both an inner and an outer expression. To understand the anointing, we must look at how it is described in Scripture and what it accomplishes in the lives of those who receive it. 1.1 The Anointing as Selection and Empowerment In the Old Testament, anointing with oil was a physical act that signified God’s selection and empowerment. When Samuel anointed David with oil, it was not merely a symbolic gesture. It was a real act that marked David as God’s chosen one and released the Spirit of God upon him in a new way. The text tells us, “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” (1 Samuel 16:13). This pattern is consistent throughout Scripture. Kings were anointed to rule. Priests were anointed to serve. Prophets were anointed to speak. The anointing was not just a nice ceremony; it was the means by which God transferred His authority and His power to His chosen servants. When someone was anointed, they were marked as God’s representative, set apart for His purposes, and empowered to accomplish His will. 1.2 The Anointing as the Holy Spirit Himself In the New Testament, the anointing takes on a deeper meaning. The Greek word chrisma (from which we get “Christ”) refers to the anointing of the Holy Spirit. When John writes, “The anointing you received from him remains in you” (1 John 2:27), he is referring to the Holy Spirit Himself. The anointing is not a substance or a force; it is the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit resting upon you. Jesus is called the “Anointed One”—the Christos—because the Holy Spirit rested upon Him without measure. Everything He did, He did in the power of the Holy Spirit. He taught in the anointing. He healed in the anointing. He cast out demons in the anointing. He rose from the dead in the anointing. And now, that same anointing is available to every believer. You are anointed. The Holy Spirit rests upon you. You are marked as God’s chosen one, set apart for His purposes. 1.3 The Two Dimensions of the Anointing The anointing has two primary dimensions: the inner anointing and the outer anointing. The inner anointing is the teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit within you, instructing you, guiding you, and transforming you from the inside out. Jesus said, “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26). This is the inner anointing—the Spirit as your Teacher, your Guide, your Comforter. The outer anointing is the power of the Holy Spirit resting upon you for service. It is the Spirit upon you, empowering you to accomplish God’s purposes, to minister to others, and to advance His kingdom. Jesus told His disciples, “But 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” (Acts 1:8). This is the outer anointing—the Spirit as your Power, your Strength, your Authority. Both dimensions are essential. The inner anointing keeps you pure, keeps you humble, keeps you aligned with God’s character. The outer anointing gives you the ability to accomplish God’s purposes, to minister effectively, and to advance His kingdom. Together, they create a life that is both holy and powerful, both humble and effective. 1.4 The Fragrance of the Anointing One of the most beautiful images in Scripture is the fragrance of the anointing. In the Song of Solomon, the beloved says, “Your name is like perfume poured out” (Song of Solomon 1:3). The anointing has a fragrance—a scent that draws people to God. When you are anointed, when you are walking in the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit, people sense it. They may not be able to name it, but they feel it. There is something different about you. There is a peace, a joy, a presence that is attractive and compelling. The apostle Paul writes, “For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing” (2 Corinthians 2:15). When you are anointed, you become a fragrance—the aroma of Christ to those around you. Your presence releases the presence of God. Your words carry the weight of God’s truth. Your actions demonstrate the reality of God’s love. You become a living testimony to the reality of God’s anointing.

The Fragrant Oil

The Anointing Explained – Understanding God’s Oil