(May 22, 2023) Dr Robert McQuillan shares some more thoughts on the Holy Spirit…

Dear Dr Robert
Last month you told me you’d share on the anointing. Kelvin.

Hi Kelvin

There’s much to share about the anointing… such as the Old Testament mashach anointing of priests,  kings and prophets and of course the New Testament chrio anointing you want to know about, indeed the one every Christian should know about. There isn’t enough space here to list the many linking scriptures, and quote examples, so I’ll just draw your attention to the following brief notations…

• Old Testament anointingswere customary (burials, guests, refreshing…), ceremonious (Jacob’s pillar, temple objects, temple…), complementary (Isaiah 61:1, Zechariah 4:14…). A special Holy Spirit anointing that enables one to perform great tasks for God.
• Only certain chosen Old Testament individuals (priests, kings, prophets) were anointed with oil and consecrated for associated service.
• Some, however, like Othniel and Gideon (Judges 3:10, 6:34) did not hold any of three ‘offices’ but were anointed with the Holy Spirit. Othniel, for example, became a deliverer.
• The New Testament tells us that all Christians receive an anointing (2 Corinthians 1:21-2)! It’s the full realisation of the Old Testament anointing with oil and all its symbolisation.
• Jesus is Christos – anointed One (a title used some 569 times of Him)! As His followers we can expect an anointing – a special awareness of the Spirit as He joins with us to complement/equip us for service.
• And one doesn’t have to hold pastoral credentials to operate in the Spirit! As able (hikanos – competent, worthy) ministers (diakonos – servants) of Jesus (see 2 Corinthians 3:6), we can all flow in His Holy Spirit and in the 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 supernational gifts of the Spirit… if we deserve to do so!
• With the anointing the Christian is put into the same position of powerful service as Jesus was (‘… 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’Acts 10:38). 
• Oh, we’ll never replace Jesus, but we can act boldly even as He did and serve Him well, even defeating our enemy, Satan… if we desire to do so, and release blessings on people’s lives that brings glory to God.
• One doesn’t have to ‘feel’ something within (One may, of course). Acting under and moving in the Spirit should be a natural. Such as talking to someone who’s wondering about doing a particular something but isn’t sure… suddenly you find yourself giving them advice outside of your knowledge which is the very thing they needed to hear!

I used to hear comments like ‘Wasn’t here was an anointing on the meeting!’ Or ‘Oh, they have an anointing.’ But no explanation and  I’d be left wondering just what is the anointing? Something that leaders only have? In that case I could never be like them… I can’t play anything. I haven’t been to Bible college, don’t know enough.

We can be hoodwinked, thinking that way! When we accept Christ, the Holy Spirit enters us… we are anointed. 1 John 2:20 confirms that ‘… you have an anointing from the Holy One.’ Anointing is chrisma, normally a mere smearing, but in our case an all over infilling – ‘As for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you… His anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit – just as it has taught you, remain in Him’ (1 John 2:27).

Thus ‘ordinary Christians’ just not ministers, full of the Holy Spirit can be used by God to supernaturally bless others… even nonChristians!

I’ve written elsewhere this month (and last) about developing an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit so that we are on the same with Him. I’ll finish with the following to encourage you (and other readers) to be spurred on –

Herbert Lockyer in his closing chapter of The Holy Spirit of God, asked a pertinent question: ‘Essential as it is to have correct views on the doctrine of the Spirit, of what good is it if we continue to live unorthodox lives?’ He then quotes the famous D.L. Moody: ‘I can tell you in five words how Christians can become more holy, useful, and fruitful – be filled with the Spirit!’

• In a nutshell, the anointing is the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in action!
• Zechariah 4.6 is precious: ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord…’
• Anointed, we become ultimate weapons in God’s arsenal!

Trust this encourages you, Kelvin. Blessings. (I’ll share about moving in the gifts elsewhere).

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Got a question for Dr Robert or Pr Maureen McQuillan? Email either: OnlinerConnect@gmail.com
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