refers to “God's anointed,” it is mostly ritical ssues ommentary referring to kings or priests chosen by C I C God and set apart for their particular A monthly commentary on Biblical concerns that impact you purposes. A couple of Old Testament passages refer to the patriarchs as “anointed The Anointing and the anointed Solomon. Then they blew the ones” & “prophets.” The International trumpet, and all the people said, `Long Standard Bible Encyclopedia states, Christian live King Solomon!'” “Prophets (1K. 19:16), priests (Ex. written by Bob DeWaay 28:41), and kings (1S. 10:1, etc.) were Exodus 40:15 “And you shall anoint anointed for office in Israel. It is only “Come and hear the most anointed them even as you have anointed their once explicitly mentioned that a prophet and preacher in the world to- father, that they may minister as priests prophet should be anointed (1K. day,” reads the brochure for the latest to Me; and their anointing shall qualify 19:16), but the patriarchs (esp. Abra- seminar. This preacher or that evange- them for a perpetual priesthood ham) are referred to as `my anointed list is touted as the latest “anointed throughout their generations.” one” who stands beyond his peers be- ones' and `my prophets' (Ps. 105:15; 2 cause of a special endowment from 1Samuel 16:13 Then Samuel took the 1Ch. 16:22; cf. Gen. 20:7).” These God. Has God placed favored son horn of oil and anointed him in the “anointed ones” were chosen by God status on certain individuals? In the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of and warnings are given to those who New Testament, who is the “anointed the Lord came mightily upon David would maliciously attack them (Psalm one”? Are there true Christians who from that day forward. And Samuel 105:15). The context of this verse (see are not “anointed”? The Biblical an- arose and went to Ramah. verses 9-14) shows that it is a refer- ence to Israel: “Then He confirmed it swers to these questions may surprise Exodus 30:30 “And you shall anoint to Jacob for a statute, To Israel as an you. Aaron and his sons, and consecrate everlasting covenant, saying, `To you them, that they may minister as priests I will give the land of Canaan as the to Me.” Anointing in the Old portion of your inheritance,' When they Oil was poured over the heads of were only a few men in number, very certain individuals (priests and kings) few, and strangers in it. And they wan- to consecrate them for the office for dered about from nation to nation, The idea of God anointing someone, which God had chosen them. This from one kingdom to another people. as with many other important truths, symbolic act however, also included a He permitted no man to oppress them, has its roots in the Old Testament. The real enablement from God to carry out and He reproved kings for their sakes: Theological Dictionary of The New the appointed duty. Only 1Kings `Do not touch My anointed ones, and Testament states: Anointing that is meant to restore or 19:16 mentions a prophet being do My prophets no harm.'” (Psalm to enhance physical well-being is to anointed, “And Jehu the son of Nemshi 105:10-15). Here and in Exodus 19:6 be distinguished from anointing as you shall anoint King over Israel; and are indications of God's plan which a legal action. According to the Elisha the son of Shaphat of would find its fulfillment in the New witness of the Old Testament the Abelmeholah you shall anoint as Testament. God would have a people, latter involves pouring oil over the prophet in your place.” all of who would be “anointed ones,” head of the one concerned. An act It is also clear that the Old Testa- priests unto God. of anointing is thus linked with the ment anointing was not for everyone in Psalm 105:15 is often quoted in cleansing purpose. The aim is to the congregation. After Exodus 30:30 recent times. Parts of Psalm 105 are give to the one anointed power, (previously quoted), God said to nearly identical with parts of 1Chron- strength, or majesty.1 Moses, “And you shall speak to the icles 16. The warning about touching The following Old Testament quotes sons of Israel, saying, `This shall be a “God's anointed ones” refers directly to show this: holy anointing oil to Me throughout the patriarchs and their descendants, 1Samuel 10:1 “Then Samuel took the your generations. It shall not be poured the Jews, who wandered among the flask of oil, poured it on his head, on anyone's body, nor shall you make nations. God told other kings, “Do not kissed him and said, `Has not the Lord any like it, in the same proportions; it touch my anointed ones.” Does this anointed you a ruler over His inheri- is holy, and it shall be holy to you. legitimately apply as a warning not to tance?'” Whoever shall mix any like it, or who- criticize TV evangelists as it is so fre- ever puts any of it on a layman, shall quently used today? The New Testa- 1Kings 1:39 “Zadok the priest then be cut off from his people.'” (Exodus ment's understanding of the anointing took the horn of oil from the tent and 30:31-33). When the Old Testament of God will help us answer that ques- tion. as a person and an office. It is used a other “Christs” who are impostors. There are several Old Testament couple of times of false “Christ's.” Consider the following verses: passages considered Messianic by the Peter called Jesus “Ò PD4FJÎH” (from Matthew 24:5 “For many will come in New Testament containing the idea of the Greek text) in his famous confes- My name, saying, `I am the Christ,' God's anointed one. The following sion of Matthew 16:17. Peter was and will mislead many.” verses fit that category: calling Jesus literally “the anointed one” which was “the Messiah.” Matthew 24:23 “Then if anyone says Psalm 2:2 “The kings of the earth take The following verses in which to you, `Behold, here is the Christ,' or their stand, And the rulers take counsel “christos” is translated “Christ” pro- `There He is,' do not believe him.” together Against the Lord and against vide clear evidence that, as understood His Anointed:” (quoted in Acts 4:26). 1John 2:22 “Who is the liar but the by the Jews of the first century, one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? Psalm 45:7 “Thou hast loved righ- “christos” was a reference to the prom- This is the antichrist, the one who teousness, and hated wickedness; ised Messiah. denies the Father and the Son.” Therefore God, Thy God, has anointed Luke 23:35 “And the people stood by, Thee With the oil of joy above Thy There is only one “Anointed One” looking on. And even the rulers were fellows.” (Quoted in Hebrews 1:9) who is anointed above his peers (see sneering at Him, saying, `He saved Hebrews 1:9), Jesus Christ. There are In summary, the Old Testament others; let Him save Himself if this is many “antichrists” gone out into the understands the anointing as the physi- the Christ of God, His Chosen One.'” world (1John 2:18) who claim to be cal act of pouring oil over someone's John 1:41 “He found first his own the anointed ones, but they are liars head that indicated God's choice of brother Simon, and said to him, `We and impostors. They will perform them for a very special function or have found the Messiah' (which trans- signs to prove their claims to be the office in Israel. It was usually kings lated means Christ).” “anointed ones” from God, but John and priests who were thus anointed. warns believers not to follow them. With the physical and ceremonial act John 10:24 “The Jews therefore gath- of anointing, done according to God's ered around Him, and were saying to will and upon only those chosen by Him, `How long will You keep us in Anointing and the Christian God, went the special endowment of suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us the Spirit or divine enablement to carry plainly.'” 1John also contains two of the three out the functions of the office for New Testament verses where believers John 20:31 “But these have been writ- which they were being anointed. The are said to be “anointed” or have an ten that you may believe that Jesus is Old Testament also predicted a special “anointing.” Christians have the an- the Christ, the Son of God; and that anointed One, who would come and ointing of the Holy Spirit so should not believing you may have life in His bring salvation and deliverance to Is- be misled by false christs and spiritual name.” rael. teachers offering secrets that can only Greek lexicons confirm this. Thayer be learned from those elite teachers. says of the Greek word “christos,” - All Christians are anointed with the Anointing in the New “... of the coming king whom the Jews same Holy Spirit so they are not lack- expected to be the saviour of their ing access to any truth which as been nation and the author of their highest revealed by God. The following are In the New Testament, the Greek felicity... of the Messiah, viewed in his the only three verses where “anointed” words “chrisma” (ointment), “Cristos” generic aspects.”3 Since the New Tes- is used of Christians: (Christ) and “chrio” (to anoint) are tament clearly declares that Jesus of 2Corithians 1:21 “Now He who estab- used concerning anointing. By far the Nazareth is the promised Jewish Mes- lishes us with you in Christ and most often used and most important siah, the word “Christ” is used with the anointed us is God.” form of the word is “Christ,” the name “Jesus” to denote Jesus the Mes- Anointed One. The Jews understood siah. Christos then functions as both 1John 2:20 “But you have an anoint- that a promised One was coming who name and title. He is called Jesus ing from the Holy One, and you all would be the anointed Messiah. The Christ, Christ Jesus, Christ, and the know.” New Testament claims that Jesus of Lord Jesus Christ in the New Testa- 1John 2:27 “And as for you, the Nazareth was that person. God Incar- ment. Thayer says, “It is added, as an anointing which you received from nate came in fulfillment of prophecy. appellative (`Messiah,' `anointed'), to Him abides in you, and you have no The Greek word “Christos” is trans- the proper name .”4 z30F@ØH need for anyone to teach you; but as lated “Christ” over 500 times in the Clearly, if Jesus is indeed the His anointing teaches you about all New American Standard Bible. Most “anointed one,” as the Bible declares, things, and is true and is not a lie, and references concern the person of Jesus then the term “Christ” should be just as it has taught you, you abide in Christ. Otherwise it means “Messiah” uniquely His. Thus the Bible warns of Him.” ness into His marvelous light” (1Peter Jesus taught us “Then if anyone 2:9). When God poured out His Spirit says to you, `Behold, here is the Christ, According to each of these verses, upon the disciples as recorded in Acts or There He is,' do not believe him.” all Christians are “anointed.” John 2, Peter interpreted the event as the (Matthew 24:23). As we have seen, uses this fact as a reason that the false fulfillment of Joel's Old Testament “Christ” (“Christos” from the Greek) teachers and antichrists can be refused. prophecy: means “anointed one.” In the New By definition, a supposed “christ” is Testament there is only one who is claiming to have a special anointing Acts 2:16-18,21 - But this is what was anointed above his companions, Christ. that sets him apart from everyone else. spoken of through the prophet Joel: If there were others, then there would Since all Christians have “an anoint- “And it shall be in the last days,” God be other “christs” (anointed ones). ing” that they received as a gift from says, “That I will pour forth of My The truths of the uniqueness of “the Anointed One” (Jesus Christ), the Spirit upon all mankind; And your sons and your daughters shall proph- Christ, the authority of Scripture and false teachers have nothing legitimate esy, And your young men shall see the priesthood of every believer are to offer them. Thus John can say “you visions, And your old men shall dream revealed and given to the body of have no need for anyone to teach you.” dreams; even upon My bondslaves, Christ for our protection and our spiri- There are people called by God to be both men and women, I will in those tual benefit. They protect us from teachers in the New Testament, but days pour forth of My Spirit and they false teachers and false “anointed they have the same anointing as other shall prophesy. And it shall be, that ones” (christs). They reveal our Christians and are not privy to secrets everyone who calls on the name of the blessed access to the throne of grace or special revelations. They are merely Lord shall be saved.” through our High Priest, Jesus Christ. more learned in Scripture and can help No longer is the anointing of the We do not have to be subject to the others in their study and encourage- Spirit going to be only for priests, whims, fickleness or possible abuse of ment in the Word of God. John him- prophets or kings. All categories of fallen, human mediators. self was teaching as he wrote his epis- people will receive this gift if they “call Consider the Lord's prophecy re- tle. The teaching of Scripture is not upon the name of the Lord.” (See corded in Matthew 24:5: “For many being forbidden here in 1John, but the Romans 10:13). Men, women, young, will come in My name, saying, `I am claiming of an exclusive anointing that old, slaves, yes even Gentiles (as Peter the Christ,' and will mislead many.” causes certain special teachers to have discovered in Acts 10) are called and False “Christs” will come in His name. unique revelations unavailable to the anointed by God. A kingdom of priests Invoking the name of Christ indicates rest of the congregation. has been established by the sovereign two persons: the one making the claim action of God in fulfillment of Old and Christ whose authority is called The Priesthood of Believers Testament prophecy. Each believer upon. Some have claimed to be rein- receives the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9) carnations of the “Christ Spirit” who By comparing the Old and New and equally has access to God through supposedly appears as different per- Testaments, we can see a change, the one mediator between man and sons in different ages (with Jesus of the which is a fulfillment of Old Testament God, Jesus Christ. This fulfillment of Bible being one of them). Others have prophecy. During the Old Testament prophecy is a tremendous and conse- claimed that Christ has given them a era, priests and kings were anointed. quential truth upon which the church is unique privilege to be the “anointed Aaron and his sons were anointed to be built. Jesus is the Christ (Messiah) one” for their age or people. In either a perpetual priesthood before God and he has chosen us and poured out case, Jesus Christ is referenced to lend (Exodus 40:15 & Numbers 25:13). the anointing of the Spirit upon us that credibility to the claims of the later day As we saw however, the mass of Israel we may be a part of God's royal priest- “anointed ones.” was not so anointed. In the New hood. “Messiah” is someone sent and em- Testament, Jesus Christ is the Yet there has been throughout the powered by God to bring His people “Anointed One.” No one else will ever history of the church attempts by many into the things promised them, includ- legitimately be so designated, since He to establish illegitimate priesthoods of ing eternal salvation. The Bible claims alone possesses the divine attributes of persons claiming special prerogatives that He is Jesus of Nazareth, who was Messiah and He alone was chosen and and special access to the mind of crucified and raised from the dead, sent by the Father as the promised Christ. Sadly they often succeed in who now sits at the right hand of the One. finding numerous followers. Many Father in all glory and majesty. When Our High Priest has chosen us and religious groups (some carrying the He comes again we will meet Him in anointed us to be priests unto God. designation “Christian”) have con- the air (1Thessalonians 4:17). Peter says “But you are a chosen race, vinced their followers that they have All three of the New Testament a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a priesthoods, prophets, or other leaders verses (2Corinthians. 1:21; 1John people for God's own possession, that of various titles who have special 2:20 & 27) that use the terms “anoi- you may proclaim the excellencies of mediatorial prerogatives, anointing, nted” or “have an anointing” concern- Him who has called you out of dark- and authority to speak for Christ be- ing others than Christ Himself are yond the teachings of the Bible. referring to all believers. All New of Hebrews aptly elaborates on many have the Spirit of Christ, he does not Testament verses that speak of one ramifications of the Biblical teaching belong to Him.” (Romans 8:9). who is especially anointed by God refer about Jesus as the “Anointed One” and Christians may be particularly gifted to Christ. Jesus and the writers of the us as partakers of a heavenly calling. in certain areas or called to ministries New Testament make it clear that we The Old covenant predicts, anticipates, that others are not; but each of them is should refuse to listen to anyone claim- and typifies the New; but to receive the anointed by the same Spirit for the ing a special anointing that sets himself New Covenant means that we cannot work of the ministry. The message of apart from the rest of us. go back to the Old. the New Testament is: different gifts, Many modern Christians seem not to different callings, but one Spirit and understand or study the teachings one anointing. All Christians have the Conclusion found in Hebrews. Some evidently feel Holy Spirit, are anointed, and are a that these teachings apply only to Jews part of God's royal priesthood. Hebrews 1:5,8,9 - For to which of the who were tempted to go back to the “If anyone says to you `Look, here angels did He ever say, “Thou art My Mosaic Covenant and neglect Christ. is the anointed one, or here' do not Son, Today I have begotten Thee” And They are just as applicable to contem- believe him.” - Jesus (Matthew 24:23 again, “I will be a Father to Him and porary Christians who are tempted to literal translation from the Greek). He shall be a Son to Me.” But of the have an earthly priesthood of special Son He says, “Thy throne, O God, is “anointed ones” who claim to lead Bob DeWaay, Twin City Fellowship, P.O. forever and ever, And the righteous Box 8068, Minneapolis, MN scepter is the scepter of His kingdom. them to an earthly promised land. 55408; © 1992. Thou hast loved righteousness and hat- There is only one Christ - Anointed ed lawlessness; Therefore God, Thy One. He anoints all whom He calls to Scripture taken from the New American God, hath anointed Thee with the oil Himself and who respond and call Standard Bible, © Copyright 1960, 1962, of gladness above Thy companions.” upon Him in faith. 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1988, The Lockman Foundation. The Hebrew Christians were being 1Corinthians 3:11 - “For no man can Used by permission. sorely tempted to commit apostasy and lay a foundation other than the one leave Christ to go back to the Old which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” End Notes Covenant. Some were excessively 1Corinthians 12:12,13 - “For even as 1. Theological Dictionary of New Testa- enamored with angels. Some wanted an the body is one and yet has many mem- ment; Editors: G. Kittel & G. Friedrich; earthly high priest who would be Eerdmans, 1974, V. IX, pages 496,497. bers, and all the members of the body, anointed as Aaron and his descendants 2. The International Standard Bible Ency- though they are many, are one body, so who would minister in an earthly tem- clopedia; Eerdmans, Revised edition, also is Christ. For by one Spirit we ple and make sacrifices for the people. 1979; page 129. were all baptized into one body, Some left Jesus as the unique One, 3. Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the whether Jews or Greeks, whether slave Messiah, who is a heavenly High Priest New Testament; Joseph H. Thayer, Baker, or free, and we were all made to drink to whom we have access for someone 1977. of one Spirit.” 4. ibid. earthly to hear from God, intercede between them and God, and to claim 1Timothy 2:5 - “For there is one God, www.twincityfellowship.com/cic revelations and visits from angels. The and one mediator also between God writer of Hebrews eloquently and pas- and men, the man Christ Jesus.” sionately pleads with them and warns them to “consider Jesus, the Apostle As 1Corinthians 12, Romans 12, and High Priest of our confession.” and Ephesians 4 teach, there are differ- (Hebrews 3:1). The section from He- ent giftings and callings. Yet it is the same Spirit who empowers every be- brews 1 quoted above (also Hebrews liever. The anointing of the Spirit 1:10-13) references the Old Testament produces various gifts, callings and to prove that Jesus is God Incarnate, manifestations in different members; Messiah. He is unique. but no member can boast of a “special The horrible tragedy is that those anointing.” It is the same Spirit who who should know this leave Him for anoints all the ministers of the gospel, some earthly priest. The warnings all the workers in the local congrega- given in the book of Hebrews are the tion, and all the members of the body most awesome and sobering in the New of Christ whatever description, gifting Testament. Nothing less than our very or calling they may have. “However, salvation is a stake and “a certain terri- you are not in the flesh but in the fying expectation of judgment” (He- Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God brews 10:27) awaits those who do not dwells in you. But if anyone does not heed the heavenly warning. The book