Mis-Translations And Mis-Interpretations In Christendom: THE "ANOINTING"

THE "ANOINTING"

Refuting The Charismatic Misconception Of The "ANOINTING" Of God

By O. Khodjo

Welcome to mis-translations and mis-interpretations

Without a doubt the most overworked word in any charismatic Christian’s vocabulary is the word "anointing."

Literally everything can be anointed. As a Charismaniac I can testify that I AM guilty of making statements such as "that service was anointed" and "that brother was flowing in the anointing." What I have come to learn through attending seminary is that the teaching on the “ANOINTING” in Pentecostal, Apostolic and charismatic circles is unbiblical.

Let's begin with a genuine definition of terms,

Bakers Theological Bible Dictionary
ANOINTING: The practice of applying oil or perfumed oil upon persons or things. In the OT two roots are mainly used: mas'iah and suk (the latter only nine times); in the NT, aleipho and chrio with its compounds (from which is derived the name Christ). The references are most common to the anointing of kings and priests. Olive oil was mainly used. Directions are given for compounding it with perfumes for holy use (Ex. 30:22-25). Baker=s Dictionary of Theology, Harrison, Everett F. Baker Book House.1985. Pg. 45

Easton’s 1897 Bible Dictionary

ANOINT: The practice of anointing with perfumed oil was common among the Hebrews. (1.) The act of anointing was significant of consecration to a holy or sacred use; hence the anointing of the high priest (Exodus 29:29; Leviticus 4:3) and of the sacred vessels (Exodus 30:26). The high priest and the king are thus called the anointed@ (Leviticus 4:3, 5, 16; Leviticus 6:20; Psalm 132:10).The promised Deliverer is twice called the Anointed@ or Messiah (Psalm 2:2; Daniel 9:25-26), because he was anointed with the Holy Ghost (Isaiah 61:1), figuratively styled the oil of gladness@ (Psalm 45:7; Hebrews 1:9). Jesus of Nazareth is this anointed One (John 1:41; Acts 9:22; Acts 17:2-3; Acts 18:5, 28), the Messiah of the Old Testament. Easton=s 1897 Bible Dictionary. NavPress CD Rom.

Holman Bible Dictionary

ANOINT: describes the procedure of rubbing or smearing a person or thing, usually with oil, for the purpose of healing, setting apart, or embalming. A person can anoint himself, be anointed, or anoint another person or thing. While olive oil is the most common element mentioned in the Bible for use in anointing, oils produced from castor, bay, almond, myrtle, Cyprus, cedar, walnut, and fish were also used. Christians see Jesus as God=s Anointed One, the Savior (Acts 10:38). The same symbolism as in the Old Testament is employed in this usage: God=s presence and power are resident in the anointing. Likewise, the Christian is anointed by God (2 Cor. 1:21; 1 John 2:27) for the tasks of ministry. Holman Bible Dictionary. NavPress CD Rom

Let’s fish for All The Biblical Passages Using: Anointing, Anointed, Anoint from the scriptures

As Defined in New Testament Greek

1. aleipho (ajleivfw , (218)) is a general term used for an anointing of any kind, whether of physical refreshment after washing, e.g., in the N.T., Matt. 6:17; Luke 7:38, 46; John 11:2; 12:3; or of the sick, Mark 6:13; Jas. 5:14; or a dead body, Mark 16:1. The material used was either oil, or ointment, as in Luke 7:38, 46.

2. chrio (crivw , (5548)) is more limited in its use than No. 1; it is confined to sacred and symbolical anointings; of Christ as the Anointed of God, Luke 4:18 Acts 4:27; 10:38, and Heb. 1:9, where it is used metaphorically in connection with "the oil of gladness." The title Christ signifies "The Anointed One." The word (Christos) is rendered "(His) Anointed" in Acts 4:26, R.V. Once it is said of believers, 2 Cor. 1:21. Chriom is very frequent in the Sept., and is used of kings, 1 Sam. 10:1, and priests, Ex. 28:41, and prophets, 1 Kings 19:16. Note: The distinction referred to by Trench (Syn. ' xxxviii), that aleiphom is the mundane and profane, chriom, the sacred and religious word, is not borne out by evidence. In a papyrus document chrisis is used of "a lotion for a sick horse" (Moulton and Milligan, Vocab. of Greek Test).

3. enchrio (ejgcrivw, (1472)), primarily, to rub in, hence, to besmear, to anoint, is used metaphorically in the command to the church in Laodicea to anoint their eyes with eyesalve, Rev. 3:18.

4. epichrio (ejpicrivw , (2025)), primarily, to rub on (epi, upon), is used of the blind man whose eyes Christ anointed, and indicates the manner in which the anointing was done, John 9:6, 11.

5. murizom (murivzw , (3462)) is used of anointing the body for burial, in Mark 14:8

Exodus 28:41 And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him; and shalt anoint hem, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office.

Exodus 29:7 Then shalt thou take the anointing oil, and pour it upon his head, and anoint him.

Exodus 29:36 And thou shalt offer every day a bullock for a sin offering for atonement: and thou shalt cleanse the altar, when thou hast made an atonement for it, and thou shalt anoint it, to sanctify it.

Exodus 30:26 And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and the ark of the testimony,

Exodus 30:30 And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office.

Exodus 40:9-11 And thou shalt take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle, and all that is therein, and shalt hallow it, and all the vessels thereof: and it shall be holy. 10And thou shalt anoint the altar of the burnt offering, and all his vessels, and sanctify the altar: and it shall be an altar most holy. 11And thou shalt anoint the laver and his foot, and sanctify it.

Exodus 40:13 And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.

Exodus 40:15 And thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office: for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.

Leviticus 16:32 And the priest, whom he shall anoint, and whom he shall consecrate to minister in the priest's office in his father's stead, shall make the atonement, and shall put on the linen clothes, even the holy garments:

Deut. 28:40 Thou shalt have olive trees throughout all thy coasts, but thou shalt not anoint thyself with the oil; for thine olive shall cast his fruit.

Judges 9:8 The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.

Judges 9:15 And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.

Ruth 3:3 Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking.

1 Samuel 9:16 To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.

1 Samuel 15:1 Samuel also said unto Saul, The Lord sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the Lord.

1 Samuel 16:3 And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee.

1 Samuel 16:12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the Lord said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.

2 Samuel 14:2 And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead:

1 Kings 1:34 And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon.

1 Kings 19:15-16 And the Lord said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.

Isaiah 21:5 Prepare the table, watch in the watchtower, eat, drink: arise, ye princes, and anoint the shield.

Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

Daniel 10:3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

Amos 6:6 That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.

Micah 6:15 Thou shalt sow, but thou shalt not reap; thou shalt tread the olives, but thou shalt not anoint thee with oil; and sweet wine, but shalt not drink wine.

Matthew 6:17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;

Mark 14:8 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.

Mark 16:1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.

Luke 7:46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.

Rev. 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

Exodus 25:6 Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense,

Exodus 29:7 Then shalt thou take the anointing oil, and pour it upon his head, and anoint him.

Exodus 29:21 And thou shalt take of the blood that is upon the altar, and of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon the garments of his sons with him: and he shall be hallowed, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons' garments with him.

Exodus 30:25 And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil.

Exodus 30:31 And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, This shall be an holy anointing oil unto me throughout your generations.

Exodus 31:11 And the anointing oil, and sweet incense for the holy place: according to all that I have commanded thee shall they do.

Exodus 35:8 And oil for the light, and spices for anointing oil, and for the sweet incense,

Exodus 35:15 And the incense altar, and his staves, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the door at the entering in of the tabernacle,

Exodus 35:28 And spice, and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense.

Exodus 37:29 And he made the holy anointing oil, and the pure incense of sweet spices, according to the work of the apothecary.

Exodus 39:38 And the golden altar, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the tabernacle door,

Exodus 40:9 And thou shalt take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle, and all that is therein, and shalt hallow it, and all the vessels thereof: and it shall be holy.

Leviticus 7:35 This is the portion of the anointing of Aaron, and of the anointing of his sons, out of the offerings of the Lord made by fire, in the day when he presented them to minister unto the Lord in the priest's office;

Leviticus 8:2 Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments, and the anointing oil, and a bullock for the sin offering, and two rams, and a basket of unleavened bread;

Leviticus 8:10 And Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was therein, and sanctified them.

Leviticus 8:12 And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron's head, and anointed him, to sanctify him.

Leviticus 8:30 And Moses took of the anointing oil, and of the blood which was upon the altar, and sprinkled it upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon his sons' garments with him; and sanctified Aaron, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons' garments with him.

Leviticus 10:7 And ye shall not go out from the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: for the anointing oil of the Lord is upon you. And they did according to the word of Moses.

Leviticus 21:10 And he that is the high priest among his brethren, upon whose head the anointing oil was poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not uncover his head, nor rend his clothes;

Leviticus 21:12 Neither shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God; for the crown of the anointing oil of his God is upon him: I am the Lord.

Numbers 4:16 And to the office of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest pertaineth the oil for the light, and the sweet incense, and the daily meat offering, and the anointing oil, and the oversight of all the tabernacle, and of all that therein is, in the sanctuary, and in the vessels thereof.

Numbers 18:8 And the Lord spake unto Aaron, Behold, I also have given thee the charge of mine heave offerings of all the hallowed things of the children of Israel; unto thee have I given them by reason of the anointing, and to thy sons, by an ordinance for ever.

Isaiah 10:27 And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.

James 5:14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

1 John 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

ANOINT, ANOINTED (4886, 4899)

To put oil on the head or body was a general custom in the east (for example, Ruth 3:3). To cease anointing was a sign of mourning (2 Samuel 14:2; Daniel 10:3). It was a token of respect to a guest, the omission of which was a failure in the matter of hospitality (see Luke 7:46). Metaphorically, to be anointed with oil expressed spiritual joy and refreshment (Psalms 23:5; 45:7; 92:10; Isaiah 61:3). The sacred use of oil was for anointing things or persons in consecrating them to God, as when Jacob anointed the pillar which he had used as a stone for resting his head (Genesis 28:18).

Exodus 29:2 And unleavened bread, and cakes unleavened tempered with oil, and wafers unleavened anointed with oil: of wheaten flour shalt thou make them.

Exodus 29:29 And the holy garments of Aaron shall be his sons' after him, to be anointed therein, and to be consecrated in them.

Leviticus 2:4 And if thou bring an oblation of a meat offering baken in the oven, it shall be unleavened cakes of fine flour mingled with oil, or unleavened wafers anointed with oil.

Leviticus 4:3 If the priest that is anointed do sin according to the sin of the people; then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto the Lord for a sin offering.

Leviticus 4:5 And the priest that is anointed shall take of the bullock's blood, and bring it to the tabernacle of the congregation:

Leviticus 4:16 And the priest that is anointed shall bring of the bullock's blood to the tabernacle of the congregation:

Leviticus 6:20 This is the offering of Aaron and of his sons, which they shall offer unto the Lord in the day when he is anointed; the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a meat offering perpetual, half of it in the morning, and half thereof at night.

Leviticus 6:22 And the priest of his sons that is anointed in his stead shall offer it: it is a statute for ever unto the Lord, it shall be wholly burnt.

Leviticus 7:12 If he offer it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving unleavened cakes mingled with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and cakes mingled with oil, of fine flour, fried.

Leviticus 7:36 Which the Lord commanded to be given them of the children of Israel, in the day that he anointed them, by a statute for ever throughout their generations.

Leviticus 8:10-12 And Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was therein, and sanctified them. And he sprinkled thereof upon the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all his vessels, both the laver and his foot, to sanctify them. And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron's head, and anointed him, to sanctify him.

Numbers 3:3 These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests which were anointed, whom he consecrated to minister in the priest's office.

Numbers 6:15 And a basket of unleavened bread, cakes of fine flour mingled with oil, and wafers of unleavened bread anointed with oil, and their meat offering, and their drink offerings.

Numbers 7:1 And it came to pass on the day that Moses had fully set up the tabernacle, and had anointed it, and sanctified it, and all the instruments thereof, both the altar and all the vessels thereof, and had anointed them, and sanctified them;

Numbers 7:10 And the princes offered for dedicating of the altar in the day that it was anointed, even the princes offered their offering before the altar.

Numbers 7:84 This was the dedication of the altar, in the day when it was anointed, by the princes of Israel: twelve chargers of silver, twelve silver bowls, twelve spoons of gold:

Numbers 7:88 And all the oxen for the sacrifice of the peace offerings were twenty and four bullocks, the rams sixty, the he goats sixty, the lambs of the first year sixty. This was the dedication of the altar, after that it was anointed.

Numbers 35:25 And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil.

1 Samuel 2:10 The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the Lord shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.

1 Samuel 2:35 And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever.

1 Samuel 10:1 Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the Lord hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?

1 Samuel 12:3 Behold, here I am: witness against me before the Lord, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you.

1 Samuel 12:5 And he said unto them, The Lord is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that ye have not found ought in my hand. And they answered, He is witness.

1 Samuel 15:17 And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the Lord anointed thee king over Israel?

1 Samuel 16:6 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the Lord's anointed is before him.

1 Samuel 16:13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

1 Samuel 24:6 And he said unto his men, The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord's anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.

1 Samuel 24:10 Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the Lord had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the Lord's anointed.

1 Samuel 26:9 And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for ho can stretch forth his hand against the Lord's anointed, and be guiltless?

1 Samuel 26:11 The Lord forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the Lord's anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go.

1 Samuel 26:16 This thing is not good that thou hast done. As the Lord liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the Lord's anointed. And now see where the king's spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his bolster.

1 Samuel 26:23 The Lord render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness: for the Lord delivered thee into my hand to day, but I would not stretch forth mine hand against the Lord's anointed.

2 Samuel 1:14 And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the Lord's anointed?

2 Samuel 1:16 And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the Lord's anointed.

2 Samuel 1:21 Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil.

2 Samuel 2:4 And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabesh-gilead were they that buried Saul.

2 Samuel 2:7 Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant: for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.

2 Samuel 3:39 And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the Lord shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.

2 Samuel 5:3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the Lord: and they anointed David king over Israel.

2 Samuel 5:17 But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the hold.

2 Samuel 12:7 And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;

2 Samuel 12:20 Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the Lord, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.

2 Samuel 19:10 And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back?

2 Samuel 19:21 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the Lord's anointed?

2 Samuel 22:51-23:1 He is the tower of salvation for his king: and sheweth mercy to his anointed, unto David, and to his seed for evermore. Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said,

1 Kings 1:39 And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon.

1 Kings 1:45 And Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king in Gihon: and they are come up from thence rejoicing, so that the city rang again. This is the noise that ye have heard.

1 Kings 5:1 And Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants unto Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the room of his father: for Hiram was ever a lover of David.

2 Kings 9:3 Then take the box of oil, and pour it on his head, and say, Thus saith the Lord, I have anointed thee king over Israel. Then open the door, and flee, and tarry not.

2 Kings 9:6 And he arose, and went into the house; and he poured the oil on his head, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I have anointed thee king over the people of the Lord, even over Israel.

2 Kings 9:12 And they said, It is false; tell us now. And he said, Thus and thus spake he to me, saying, Thus saith the Lord, I have anointed thee king over Israel.

2 Kings 11:12 And he brought forth the king's son, and put the crown upon him, and gave him the testimony; and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, God save the king.

2 Kings 23:30 And his servants carried him in a chariot dead from Megiddo, and brought him to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own sepulchre. And the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and anointed him, and made him king in his father's stead.

1 Chron. 11:3 Therefore came all the elders of Israel to the king to Hebron; and David made a covenant with them in Hebron before the Lord; and they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of the Lord by Samuel.

1 Chron. 14:8 And when the Philistines heard that David was anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David. And David heard of it, and went out against them.

1 Chron. 16:22 Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.

1 Chron. 29:22 And did eat and drink before the Lord on that day with great gladness. And they made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and anointed him unto the Lord to be the chief governor, and Zadok to be priest.

2 Chron. 6:42 O Lord God, turn not away the face of thine anointed: remember the mercies of David thy servant.

2 Chron. 22:7 And the destruction of Ahaziah was of God by coming to Joram: for when he was come, he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom the Lord had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab.

2 Chron. 23:11 Then they brought out the king's son, and put upon him the crown, and gave him the testimony, and made him king. And Jehoiada and his sons anointed him, and said, God save the king.

2 Chron. 28:15 And the men which were expressed by name rose up, and took the captives, and with the spoil clothed all that were naked among them, and arrayed them, and shod them, and gave them to eat and to drink, and anointed them, and carried all the feeble of them upon asses, and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm trees, to their brethren: then they returned to Samaria.

Psalm 2:2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying,

Psalm 18:50 Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.

Psalm 20:6 Now know I that the Lord saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.

Psalm 28:8 The Lord is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed.

Psalm 45:7 Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

Psalm 84:9 Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.

Psalm 89:20 I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him:

Psalm 89:38 But thou hast cast off and abhorred, thou hast been wroth with thine anointed.

Psalm 89:51 Wherewith thine enemies have reproached, O Lord; wherewith they have reproached the footsteps of thine anointed.

Psalm 92:10 But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.

Psalm 105:15 Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.

Psalm 132:10 For thy servant David's sake turn not away the face of thine anointed.

Psalm 132:17 There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.

Isaiah 45:1 Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;

Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

Lament. 4:20 The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the Lord, was taken in their pits, of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the heathen.

Ezekiel 16:9 Then washed I thee with water; yea, I throughly washed away thy blood from thee, and I anointed thee with oil.

Ezekiel 28:14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.

Habakkuk 3:13 Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for salvation with thine anointed; thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah.

Zech. 4:14 Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.

Mark 6:13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.

Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

Luke 7:38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

Luke 7:46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.

John 9:6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,

John 9:11 He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.

John 11:2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)

John 12:3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.

Acts 4:27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,

Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

2 Cor. 1:21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;

Hebrews 1:9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

SOME STARTLING OBSERVATIONS

Now that you have taken the time and have read every verse in the Authorized Version using the terms relating to the concept of anointing you probably have already learned some important facts.

Total number of verses cited: 154 verses

Old Testament citations: 135 verses

New Testament citations: 19 verses

Anoint, anointing, and anointed is an Old Testament practice reserved for those who occupied the offices of prophet, priest, or king.

The sacred implements of the tabernacle were Anointed or set apart for the purposes of God.

1: NOWHERE in the Old Testament do we see the anointing referred to as a supernatural mystical power given to humans by which they were able to work the miraculous.

2: NOWHERE in the Old Testament do we read of there being a "double-portion" anointing.

3: NOWHERE in the Old Testament do we read of the anointing being transmitted from one person to another by the laying on of hands. As seen or heard from the clergy men-Nonsense!

4: NOWHERE in the Old Testament do we read of any methods, keys, or means by which individuals can (1) obtain the anointing, (2) increase the anointing, or (3) lose the anointing.-Nonsense!

What I find equally interesting is that all of the above statements hold true for the New Testament as well.

5: NOWHERE does Jesus teach on "how to obtain the anointing."

7: NOWHERE do we read of Paul transmitting the anointing to others by the laying on of hands.

8: NOWHERE in the N.T. do we read of any didactic statements concerning the anointing.

I challenge anyone to read the verses pertaining to the anointing of God (in their context) and prove the validity of the doctrines we will begin to examine in the next chapter. ASK YOUR PASTORS AS WELL, HOW PRAY TELL!

BENNY HINN'S TEACHING ON THE ANOINTING

This is the cover of the most recent teaching from Mr. Benny Hinn concerning the anointing. This was sent out to all of his thousands of partners (I am on his partner mailing list but I am no "partner". The topic is the "overflowing anointing" and he bases his teaching on the passage in 2 Kings 6:1.

2 Kings 6 deals with the prophet Elisha working the miracle of causing the iron axe head to float in water so it would not be lost. From this story Mr. Hinn comes up with no less than "three powerful keys dealing with the anointing and its release upon your life." From a passage of Scripture which has absolutely no connection with the Biblical teaching regarding the anointing we are now told that there are no less than three powerful keys hidden in this text!

Lets consider these three powerful gnostic keys, I say gnostic because Mr. Hinn goes on to say "I pray, as we go through them one-by-one, the Holy Spirit will enable you to see this truth from His Word." The keys Benny is about to reveal as so hidden away within the text that it will take no less than the revelatory and illuminating work of the Spirit of God to enable anyone to actually see them!

1. The Right Location

We must be in the right location. God cannot use us if we are in the wrong location. Negative circumstances can "delay the plan of God for your life." Mr. Hinn's understanding of God's sovereignty is quite limited. God's plan for our lives can be delayed by negative circumstances. Mr. Hinn would have us to believe that God can only work if everything is lined-up just perfectly! He ends this "key" by saying "the right location always brings the right anointing." According to Hinn, God's anointing is based on ones physical location. Hinn also implies there is a "wrong anointing”.

2. The Right Leadership

"The anointing cannot come upon us unless we are under the right leaders. Without proper leadership in the Spirit, we can't be anointed because the anointing flows from the head down." NONSENSE!

One of the favorite "control" verses used in the churches is found in the following Psalm:

Psalm 133:1-2 A Song of degrees of David.
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;

SEE! The oil (anointing) flows from the head down to the lowest part of the garment. We were taught that our pastor got the blessings first and then they trickled down to the members of the local church. IS THIS TRUE OR NONSENSE TALK?

Based on this one text from Psalm 133:2 Mr. Hinn and others have formed entire teachings! Hinn tells us that we (church members) cannot be anointed unless we are sitting under the spiritual covering of an anointed leader (like Hinn). Benny is correct when he says "you will become what your leader is." Or as my father used to say "lie down with dogs, wake up with fleas." However, the becoming takes place because the people emulate their leaders not by virtue of the anointing.

3. The Right Application

"The anointing cannot come upon us unless we are wet with the Spirit's presence." Let's take a moment for a quick review:

According to Pastor Benny Hinn, God told him that:

The right location brings the right anointing

The wrong location equals no anointing

The anointing flows from our human leaders

We cannot be anointed if we are under the wrong leaders

Now we learn that we cannot be anointed unless we are wet with the Spirit's presence. THIS IS PURE BOGUS! SLAVE DRIVER, DRIVING THE PEOPLE OF GOD, TO WHERE I DON’T KNOW, Where does Hinn get this stupid concept?. In the text the ax head fell into the water and Elisha used a stick to fish it out when it floated up. We are the stick and the ax head is the anointing. . .for the anointing to come on us we have to be wet! Isn't this obvious to anyone reading this text? Hinn says "the ax head is always symbolic of the anointing in the Bible." Oh really, on what authority does Hinn base this statement? I use several Study Bibles ONLINE and NONE of them indicate that the ax head is symbolic of the anointing. James Freeman's Manners and Customs of the Bible on page 109 does not mention the anointing in connection with axes in the middle east. NONE of the research materials I consulted mentioned that axe heads ALWAYS are symbolic of the anointing. Baker's Theological Dictionary, Easton's Bible Dictionary, the Holman Bible Dictionary, the NIV Study Bible, the Ryrie Study Bible, and the Nelson Study Bible all fail to mention the anointing in connection with the axe head. Where did Hinn get this insight? He made it up or got it from some obscure none accredited source! The bottom line is this - Mr. Hinn has lied. The ax head does not symbolize the anointing, in fact as far as I have been able to research it NEVER symbolizes the anointing in the Bible.

One thing my research was pretty uniform about was the FACT that these prophets were POOR (YET WE USE THEIR SCRIPTURES TO PREACH FINANCIAL PROSPERITY...BOGUS!) Which is why they needed that borrowed ax back,! They (1) did not own their own ax, thus they borrowed one and (2) they could not afford to buy a replacement! This aspect of the account is totally left out by Mr. Hinn because it is not congruent with his opulent lifestyle and his false teachings on financial prosperity. GOD WILL HELP US

Mr. Hinn closes out this mini revelation on the anointing by saying "Every believer has an anointing within him or her which comes at salvation (which salvation). But God wants to pour out an anointing upon us for service...an anointing that comes for a reason and stays for a season." Its nonsense!!

He is correct that all Christians do have an anointing according to 1 John 2:20. He is incorrect in saying God wants to pour out another anointing for service. This additional anointing (power) is supposed to come on us for "a reason and for a season." What Scripture does he base this concept on? He has no Biblical support for this and the other statements he has made regarding the anointing of the Lord. According to Hinn there are various types of anointing(s) from the Lord. These anointing(s) can come and go. THIS IS A BIG LIE!! NOT BIBLICAL..

Although Hinn never defines what the anointing is we are led to the conclusion that the anointing is given by God but it is separate from Him. We are told that we have to work to obtain the anointing, it does not come by grace. The work involved is that we have to sit under "ANOINTED" leaders (whatever that means), we have to be in the right location (again, undefined), and we have to be wet. Lastly, we are told that the anointing is not necessarily permanent, it is seasonal. HEY! PEOPLE OF GOD BE CAREFUL WHO YOU FOLLOW. Forget about BIG TITLES AND BIG NAMES…

Hinn made the following claim on an announcement card sent to homes from his ministry sometime ago: The UNLIMITED ANOINTING …5 Dynamic Teaching Sessions

The only one with anything that is "UNLIMITED" is God Almighty. Hinn is unaware of this truth, in fact is offering 5 sessions on how to obtain the unlimited anointing for those of his partners who can pay the money to attend these closed sessions.

From these two mailings we see that Hinn offers two tiers of anointing - the overflowing anointing and/or the unlimited anointing. I suppose it would be possible under his system of thought for one to have an overflowing unlimited anointing . . .but that is probably a forth coming tape series.

Mr. Hinn's teaching is a prime example of charismatic allegorizing which is common among most of the better known Word of Faith movement ministers and most of the televangelists. Anyone who simply took the text of 2 Kings 6:1 and read it would never come up with the ludicrous interpretation that Hinn would have us believe is hiding beneath the surface of the text.

The Hebrew word for anointing never occurs in this text in any place he cites. The Hebraic concept attached to the word "anointing" is never alluded to in the passage. Mr. Hinn has forgotten the main principle in interpreting Scripture - a Scripture can never mean what it never meant full stop.

Mr. Hagin's Curious Anointing

And so as I looked upon the wounds in His hands outstretched before me, I did as He instructed and held my hands out in front of me. He placed the finger of His right hand in the palm of my right hand and then my left, The moment He did, my hand s began to bum as if a coal of fire bad been placed in them.

Then Jesus told me to kneel down before Him. When I did so He laid His- hand upon my head, saying that He had called me and given me a special anointing to minister to the sick; He went on to instruct me that when I would pray and lay hands upon the sick I was to lay one hand on each side of the body. If I felt the fire jump from hand to band, an evil spirit or demon was present in the body causing the affliction. I should call him out in His name and the demon or demons would have to go. If the fire, or anointing, in my hand does not jump from band to hand, it is a case of healing only. (my my my, heaven is closing up on us…MY COMMENT) I should pray for the person in His name, and if he will believe and accept it, the anointing will leave my bands and go into his body, driving out the disease and bringing healing. When the fire, or the anointing, leaves my hands and goes into his body, I will know he is healed.

Hagin alleges to have a personal meeting with the resurrected Christ. In this encounter (he claims to have had eight such meetings), Jesus lays His hands on Hagin and personally ordains him into the healing ministry. Not only does Jesus ordain Hagin, He then equips Kenny a special anointing. This anointing is so special, it is not found anywhere in the Bible.

The only time the word "special" is used in the New Testament is in relation to the special miracles that God wrought by the hands of the apostle Paul in Acts 19:11. What made these miracles "special."? To begin with they were unique one time occurrences. From the Biblical record this was the only time something like this happened in the ministry of Paul, much like Peter's shadow in Acts 5:15. Secondly, it is important to note that the account in Acts 19:11 does not refer to the anointing at all. It says God wrought special miracles, not; God gave Paul a special anointing.

For Hagin we see many differences. First we see Jesus giving him a special extra-Biblical Anointing. Secondly, we know that this special anointing was not a one time ministry event, this is to function throughout his ministry whenever Hagin prays for the sick. Lastly, we are given details about how this "anointing" functions in Hagin's life. We have no idea how God wrought these special miracles in Paul's ministry.

Hagin feels fire in his hands. When this fire jumps from hand to hand then he knows the problem is demonic in origin and all he has to do is cast out the demon and the person would immediately be recovered. Has this been in evidence in his ministry? No! I have followed Hagin's ministry for many years and I have personally heard him recount this mystical experience in person. . .I have yet to see people instantly set free from demonic oppression and affliction, nor have I read accounts of this happening. According to Hagin's account he should have a 100% success in this area of deliverance. He does not.

If the fire does not jump from hand to hand, then, he knows the person is just sick and he must pray for healing. IF he can get them to believe he has been anointed and ACCEPT his "anointing" THEN the fire leaves his hands and he knows they are healed. Isn’t This Nonsense!!!...God Should Forgive Me For Exposing Them!!

An Interesting Rabbit Trail

Hagin's vision occurred sometime in 1950. Let's put things in a historic perspective for a moment: Much earlier, in the 1940's William Branham already had a fairly successful healing ministry. He was known for being able to detect demonic presence in people by the sensation he got in his hands. His hands would get hot, turn red, and even stop his watch on occasion. This along with his alleged ability to know people's thoughts and activities (I believe through a familiar spirit) gave him great fame.

Later on a man named Oral Roberts struggled with God until the Lord gave him a power encounter. Five months after this encounter Oral claimed to have God's power in his right hand! After all, the hand gimmick was working very well for Branham. Now after Branham and Roberts, along comes Hagin. Hagin was a bit player in the healing revival, he was a very little fish and a great big healing pond that was dominated by Jack Coe, A.A. Allen, Branham, Roberts, and others.

Anyone who has read objective accounts of this period knows that each evangelist had their own "special" abilities given to them by God. They needed something to separate their ministries from the rest of the healing herd. Whether it was demons in glass jars, the biggest tent, or claims of raising the dead, they all had their own claims of power.

I cannot say that Hagin did not have some sort of supernatural encounter. However, I do find it interesting that his claims seem to parallel the other healing evangelists. All of the sudden it seems like everybody had healing power in their hands, when a few years before, nobody did.

Hagin's power-encounter stories which he recounts on almost every tape series are totally mystical in nature and these varied experiences can never be independetly verified. What is the value of his anointing? Well Hagin's power makes people fall down when he touches them (a.k.a. as being slain in the spirit). He can wave his hands in the general direction of his followers and they will burst out into uncontrollable laughter and drunken stupors. As interesting as these mystical whammies are to the participants, they produce no spiritual growth and no verified healing. The obvious benefit is to Hagin alone, who is seen by many as a truly "anointed prophet" of God. In fact Kenneth Copeland said that Mr. Hagin is second only to Jesus Christ when it comes to the "anointing." Hahaha, can you IMAGINE?

WHO IS TELLING THE TRUTH AND WHO IS LYING?

Maria Woodworth-Etter : Then Maria had a great vision. Angels came into her room. They took her to the West, over prairies, lakes, forests, and rivers where she saw a long, wide field of waving golden grain. As the view unfolded she began to preach and saw the grains begin to fall like sheaves. Then Jesus told her that, "just as the grain fell, so people would fall" as she preached. (Wayne E. Warner, "Neglect Not the Gift That Is in Thee," Etter Sermon from The Woman Evangelist (Metuchen, NJ and London: The Scarecrow Press, Inc., 1986), p. 10

John Alexander Dowie: A...the celebrated John Dowie, one finds that the most famous of the very early fundamentalist faith healers discovered his power by threatening the Lord with a daring ultimatum: ANow, Lord I pray that Thou wilt heal me, or I will never believe You again." James L. Dwyer, "Elijah the Third," American Mercury, July 1927, pp. 291-298.

Aimee Semple McPhearson: Amiee prayed and received a vision. As she closed her eyes, she saw a black river rushing past with millions of men, women, and children being swept into it. They were being helplessly push along by the river's current and falling over a waterfall. Then she heard - "Become a winner of souls."Daniel Mark Epstein, Sister Aimee: The Life of Aimee Semple McPherson, p.p. 48-49

A. A. Allen: Determined to find the secret of God's power, Allen began to fast and pray and seek the Lord. . ".I began to realize that the light that was filling my prayer closet was God's glory!...The presence of God was so real and so powerful that I felt I would die right there on my knees...Then, like a whirlwind, I heard His voice, It was God! He was speaking to me!...God was giving me a list of the things which stood between me and the power of God...God spoke once again, and said: >This is the answer. When you have placed on the altar of consecration and obedience the last things on your list, you shall not only heal the sick, but in My name shall cast out devils, you shall see mighty miracles as in My name you preach the Word, for behold, I give you power over all the power of the enemy." Lexie Allen, God's Man of Faith and Power, 1954 pp. 98-104

William M. Branham: Suddenly, he heard the sound of wind blowing in the top of the tree. He jumped up to look, and he noticed that the wind was not blowing in any other place. Stepping back, he looked up into the tree, and a voice came saying, Never drink, smoke, or defile your body in any way, for I have a work for you to do when you get older." Then he heard someone walking. A he looked, he saw the feet of a man coming towards him. . .As Branham trembled in fear, theman spoke, Fear not. I am sent from the presence of Almighty God to tell you that your peculiar life and your misunderstood ways have been to indicate that God has sent you to take a gift of divine healing to the peoples of the world. If you will be sincere, and can get the people to believe in you, nothing shall stand before your prayer, not even cancer. Lairdon, Roberts, God's Generals, p. 324.

Oral Roberts: Brother Roberts went to his church and locked himself in the study. He proceeded to address the Lord: "Today is the end of my searching. I am going to find You. I will lie down on this floor before you and start praying. I will never rise until you speak to me...Suddenly, God spoke to me in an audible voice. He spoke like a military commander...God said, From this hour you will heal the sick and cast out devils by My power." Morris, James, The Preachers, p. 75

Kenneth E. Hagin: Then Jesus told me to kneel down before Him. When I do He laid His hand upon my head, saying that He had called me and given me a special anointing to minister to the sick. Hagin, Kenneth, I Believe In Visions, p. 51

T. L. Osborn: T.L. Osborn, who started his healing ministry shortly after the Roberts crusade began, followed much the same procedure Oral had used in getting a message from God. Osborn shut himself in his bedroom for two days and nights before the Spirit spoke to him. His commission differs somewhat from that given to brother Roberts. Osborn was granted additional power B that of raising the dead...Brother Osborn was commissioned to go to all nations and peoples. Morris, James, The Preachers, p. 76

COMPARISONS
or
"Who's" Zoom'in "Who"?

William Branham: Germ, diseases, which indicate the presence and working of an "oppressing" (Acts 10:38) spirit of affliction can be distinctly felt. When the afflicting spirit comes into contact with the gift it sets up such a physical commotion that it becomes visible on Brother Branham hand, and is so real it will stop his wristwatch instantly...While William Branham had received the sign in his hand at the same time power to heal was bestowed upon him. Morris, James, The Preachers, pp.78-79

Oral Roberts: Brother Roberts got his special hand gift when he was conducting a one-night service in Nowata, Oklahoma. While praying for a small boy who was deaf in one ear, he heard God speaking as if He were standing by his side: Son, you have been faithful up to this hour, "and now you will feel My presence in your right hand. Through My presence, you will be able to detect the presence of demons. You will know their number and name and through my power, they will be cast out." Roberts, Oral, My Story, 1961, p. 151

Kenneth E. Hagin: "He went on instruct me that when I would pray and lay hands upon the sick I was to lay one hand on each side of the body. If I felt the fire jump from hand to hand, and evil spirit or demon was present in the body causing the affliction. I should call him out in His name and the demon or demons would have to go. If the fire, or anointing, in my hand does not jump from hand to hand, it is a case of healing only...When the fire, or the anointing, leaves my hands and goes into his body, I will know he is healed." Hagin, Kenneth, I Believe In Visions, p. 51.

I find the above information very interesting when it comes to the "anointing." I think that these people (all Pentecostal believers) were hungry for the power of God. They went on long fasts, prayed in other tongues for hours, sometimes days without stop (altering their consciousness) and got out into the realm of the supernatural. The only problem is they did not meet the God of the Bible in their encounters, they received a counterfeit from Satan.

How do I know this? All of the people I have cited had scandals attached to their ministries. They all had problems with money, several had sexual sins, many were caught in lies, and some died of drug related overdoses. In many ways, for people who claimed to have met God in dramatic fashions, it did not increase the practical holiness in their lives at all. Also, the fact that these healers simply did not get provable results; Thirdly, the claims they made about their encounters with God were either extra-Biblical or violated the facts of Scripture.

Hagin is a perfect example here. In his book, I Believe In Visions, he goes into great detail about the literal holes in the hands of Jesus. Yet archeological evidence has proven that when a person was crucified the spike was driven through their wrists and not the actual "hands." Why? Because the hand cannot support the weight of the body hanging in that fashion. So the Jesus Hagin thinks he saw was based on a preconceived idea of where he (Hagin) would expect to see the holes. Then the special anointing this Jesus gives Hagin falls totally outside of the Biblical witness. I conclude either Hagin dreamed this experience up via a very fertile mind, or he met an angel of light and was deceived by that being.

In the vision, when Jesus was telling me about the special anointing that He was giving me He said, "If the anointing leaves you, fast and pray until it comes back." Now whenever anointing wanes, I wait upon the Lord in prayer and fasting, the same anointing comes upon me again.

After this divine ordination and anointing service (something none of the other healers could claim) Hagin is informed that if the mystical, transmittable, sensate power leaves him he is to (1) fast and (2) pray until it comes back. So if the fire goes out for some strange reason, we are not told why, all Hagin has to do is to alter his consciousness again by fasting and prayer (a.k.a. praying in other tongues) then he will open himself up again and this mystical power will comes back into him.

Such instructions are not given to anyone in the Bible in regards to the anointing. People involved in the occult world and witchcraft do such things to gain power, He does tell them to seek His face. If people simply develop their fellowship with the Lord according to scriptural example they will find that He will supply them with whatever they need to fulfill His will for their lives.

All of the "healers" I have mentioned have gone on what can only be described as vision quests. The American Indian would go on a vision quest to gain mastery over life, to find their totem spirit guide(s), or become shamans [a spiritual leader with special powers such as prophecy and the ability to heal]. These folks, well intentioned as some might have been, went seeking the supernatural and found it apart from the blessing of the Lord God.

Marilyn Hickey's Abuse of the Term "Anointing"

As I mentioned in the beginning of this booklet, the term "anointed" or "anointing" is the favorite buzz word of the mystical initiate. These ministers are like the judge who when presiding over a pornography case said "I cannot define it, but I know it when I see it." They cannot define it, they cannot give you Scripture for their doctrine or practice. . .but they know it when they see (or feel it). GOD WILL HELP US IN JESUS NAME.

In the January 1998, volume 21, no.1 issue of her monthly magazine, Outpouring, Marilyn has an article entitled "You Can Have A Fresh Anointing For Your New Year." The purpose of the article is to get people to send in at least $15.00 for a small metal vial to hold her supernaturally charged anointing oil in. Here are some of the claims she makes regarding the oil she has personally prayed over (for the uninitiated: please understand she would have you believe she has the ability to transmit miracle power from herself into this inanimate oil):

The anointing can destroy your yoke of broken and wounded relationships.
The anointing can work in the pit and break the yoke of financial difficulty.
The anointing removes barriers, dismantles blockades, and lifts the loads from the minds, hearts, and backs of believers.

These and other claims are put forth by Marilyn to get people to send her ministry money. One thing she does not do is to cite any Biblical texts to substantiate these claims. Why not? Because there are not any verses which make such claims in the area of anointing or anointing with oil. She has simply put these promises out there for her readers to believe.

In this issue Marilyn Hickey used the word "anoint" forty-one (41) times. "You" or "your" seventy-five (75) times, and the name of Jesus two (2) times. In a simple page and a half letter she used "anointing" (or its derivatives) more times than the entire New Testament. In another appeal letter she mentions the "anointing" fifty-seven times (57)! This is not unusual for her at all. Sometimes she uses the word "miracle" more times in a letter than the New Testament too. It does prove the extreme emphasis placed on a topic which is not emphasized by any author in the Bible.

Marilyn is guilty of making wild claims regarding the anointing - in her appeal letters she has sent me the following "anointed" items:

A little sack of cornmeal
A red thread
A plastic replica widow's mite
A half dozen prayer cloths
Various packets of oil
A miracle popsickle stick
A felt Christmas star

These are nothing but shameless gimmicks which are geared towards transferring money from the pockets of God's gullible (and desperate) into her ministry. The only thing they do seem to produce is increased wealth for her ministry. In her "anointed" letters Marilyn claims that what she is doing is not a gimmick, and that she is being led by the Holy Spirit.

If this is true then the first truly anointed prayer cloth should be sufficient. Why send me "anointed" oil the next month, which is followed by another prayer cloth? Why indeed!

She also stresses the need for the recipient of the "non-gimmick" trinket to release their faith when using the anointed non-gimmick. In the example of Paul in Acts 19:11 (which all these folks cite) we see nothing mentioned about releasing faith at all. Even in the James account, (James 5:14) the faith mentioned is that of the elders, not the sick person. In these two cases faith does not play a part in believer’s life in regards to receiving from the Lord in this manner.

The bottom line: If God was still using prayer cloths or His anointing in such manners, faith would not play a central role in receiving His deliverance. The "faith clause" is added to give Marilyn Hickey an "out" when it fails to produce in the recipients life. The faith clause also serves as a type of a carrot on a stick. It works this way: first, the person blames themselves for not getting their healing (it is never the healers fault). Second, they repent of their unbelief. Third, they build their faith by buying more books on how to build their faith and/or attend more Marilyn meetings. Then when the next gimmick arrives they shell out some more money and try again. This cycle keeping repeating until the poor soul falls off the charismaniac treadmill, disheartened and discouraged.

Marilyn Hickey has a great deal to answer for when she stands before the Lord. She has knowingly given God's people a false hope. She is responsible for all of the spiritual casualties which have occurred in the lives of those who faithfully followed her directions. I would not want to be in her shoes on that day.

Morris "He Who Imparts The Anointing" Cerullo

Mr. Cerullo is also guilty of great Biblical ignorance when it comes to the topic of the anointing. Over a period of time he sent out five massive appeals, each one containing a A key to entering into God' mega-harvest season. The last and most important key, you guessed it, is receiving God's anointing. Here is a scan of a page from key five, bold type added by me for emphasis:

Until now... in STEP FIVE ... I have never been led to transfer that NEW ANOINTING from God in the manner I am today.

Here's how God has led me ...

Partner, when I receive your DOUBLE PORTION PRAYER PETITION for the areas in your life where you want to experience God's DOUBLE PORTION poured out, I will personally take your prayer request, place them in my hands, and ask God to ...

RELEASE A DOUBLE PORTION OF THE ANOINTING …what a crook!

HE HAS GIVEN TO ME TO BE OVER YOUR LIFE! ...Lord have mercy

As a point of contact ...
I am going to take a mantle like the one I am wearing in the photo the front page of this letter ... anoint it with oil, AND personally ask God to transfer His NEW ANOINTING into your life. God has shown me at He will honor my heart-felt prayer just as though I was laying ands on you in your own living room.

This is a simple act of what I call a point of contact.

After anointing your mantle with oil and personally praying over it, I will send it to you. Get ready to receive the transference of this full DOUBLE PORTION ANOINTING of God into your life!

Do you see it? I cannot get to every partner's home ... but this way we can have a point of contact together -

God has given me this new way to fulfill the request I made of Him 25 years ago! How pray tell!

"God, give me the anointing ... give me the ability to take what You have given me - the power and anointing that is upon my ministry - and give it to someone else."

NOW is the time for you to receive your anointing to be used by God! Beloved, stand with me in STEP FIVE, and heed God's word and you will receive the DOUBLE PORTION ANOINTING for your personal, mega, supernatural harvest.

This is a sacred point of contact.

This is God's way of anointing you as one of His chosen vessels to be used to fulfill His end time Mission To All The World! The transference of God's anointing will enable us to fulfill the prophecy… oh my GOD..which prophecy?? Ask him or them

Morris begins by stating that he has never been led to "transfer that NEW ANOINTING" like he is now. Again, I must ask, where do we find any transfer of anointing in the Scriptures? I have quoted all verses pertaining to anointing in the bible for you to see. Everything so far is just NONSENSE-BOGUS

How is Morris going to accomplish this mystical transference? He will take the prayer requests he receives (hopefully with a goody sized donation) and; (1) personally pray over them, (2) place them in his hands, and (3) ask God to release a double portion of the anointing He has given me to be over the respondents lives. Then, if that is not enough, Morris is going to; (1) take a mantle and anoint it with oil, and (2) personally ask God to transfer His new anointing into the respondents life.

So, in effect the respondent is going to receive a triple anointing from supporting Morris's ministry! He will receive a double portion of Morris's anointing. Then God will add to this double portion anointing His own level of "new" anointing into that person's life. THEY ARE ALL CROOKS IN THE KINGDOM. I CANT BELIEVE LEARNED MEN FALL FOR THEIR CROOK GAMES. THAT GIVES ROOM FOR THE NON-EDUCATED TO FOLLOW UP AS WELL. IGNORANT!!!

After praying these powerful prayers Morris will:

(1) anoint the respondents personal mantle with oil, (2) personally pray over it and, (3) send it to the individual. "Do you see it?...but this way we can have a point of contact together." Gee Morris, is this a new concept? Fake healers have been pushing the old point-of-contact since 1948!

Morris spends a good deal of space telling folks how he is empowered to transfer his anointing to others. . .but he never defines exactly what his anointing is.

He never explains what the anointing is at all, or why believers should even desire it. He sites only one text that has anything to do with the anointing. The reason is obvious, there are no Scriptures which validate any of his concepts.

When Morris begins to cite texts he does so in a dishonest manner. The following is the Morris Cerullo version:

"He maketh his sons to inherit that which he hath . . . by giving him a DOUBLE PORTION of all that he hath. . ." (Deut. 21:16:17)

The Biblical passage in total:

Then it shall be, when he maketh his sons to inherit that which he hath, that he may not make the son of the beloved firstborn before the son of the hated, which is indeed the firstborn: But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his. (Deut. 21:16-17)

Morris has taken this text, cut it up, and attempted to make it mean something that it does not mean. This is deception at its worst! This is nothing but twisting Scripture for dishonest gain. LET THE FOOL TELL ME THAT HAS GOT SOMETHING TO DO WITH ANOINTING.

The text has NOTHING to do with the anointing, which is the entire context of his letter. The context of the passage is about prohibiting fathers from disinheriting their eldest sons with just cause. It has nothing to do with receiving a double portion anointing or blessing.

2 Kings 2:9 And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.

PLEASE NOTE THAT HE DIDN’T SAY DOUBLE ANOINTING BUT RATHER DOUBLE SPIRIT.

2 Kings 2:13 He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan;

2 Kings 2:15 And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.

Elisha did ask for a double portion of Elijah's spirit. He did not ask for a double portion of his anointing. These are two completely different words in the Hebrew. If he had meant anointing, then why not ask for it? For arguments sake, lets agree that it is referring to the anointing. What has that have to do with Morris Cerullo? This again, was a one time event, one that is never repeated in Scripture again. The event is recorded as a historical fact, not as a pattern for Church doctrine.

But Morris claims he has the ability to transmit his unnamed and unexplained anointing to the faithful via an oily piece of cloth he alleges to have personally prayed over. Then Morris closes his letter out with an appeal for A DOUBLE PORTION SEED GIFT to God whose mailing address happens to be Mr. Cerullo's address.

This is the point that Mr. Cerullo has really wanted to get to all along . . . the double portion offering. He desires all of God's gullible to give twice the amount they normally give, after all, God is going to give them (through Morris) a triple anointing.

Mr. Cerullo has no ANOINTING to give anyone. A double portion of nothing is nothing, which is all that God's gullible will receive from him. On Morris's end, he hopefully, will receive an offering that is twice its normal size.

Behold Morris is holding a prayer mantle he has personally anointed . . . only 10,000 more to go Morris!

The Jesse Duplantis Version of the Anointing

Without a doubt, Jesse Duplantis is among the most comical of all the Word of Faith heretics. His understanding of the anointing is just as comical as the manner in which he delivers the "Word."

In the November 1997 issue of Voice of the Covenant magazine, he makes the following statements (he is quoting from Luke 4:18):

The very first thing on Jesus` agenda was to get rid of poverty!

Would you like to know why some people, including ministers, never get out of poverty? It's not because they aren't smart. It's not because they don't have windows of opportunity. It's because they're not anointed ... this is just Nonsense!…If you're not anointed, poverty will follow you all the days of your life. THIS IS A MESSAGE FROM JESSE DUPLANTIS! WHAT A SHAME.

According to Jesse poverty is a direct result of not being anointed. If one is anointed, then one is not poor. I guess the Mafia and drug dealers (not to mention crooked televangelists) must be extremely anointed, according to Jesse's definition. His belief violates the plain teaching of Scripture:

1 John 2:20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things

According to the Bible ALL Christians have an ANOINTING. Yet the Scripture also denotes the fact that not all Christians are rich. So, according to the rules of logic, being ANOINTED does not equal wealth and riches.

Material poverty is the result of not being anointed according to Jesse. Mr. Duplantis believes that Jesus`s first mission was to get rid of poverty. If that is true, then Jesus was almost a total failure according to the Bible. Here's why:

Matthew 26:11 for ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.

Romans 15:26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the POOR SAINTS which are at Jerusalem.

James 2:5-6 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?

Jesse goes on to reveal the following insights from Luke 4:18:

His first objective was to get rid of poverty.

Obviously, He considered poverty a worse problem than blind eyes.

When the Church gets out of bondage to the devil through poverty, there will be a lot more miracles. Why? Partly because the church will finally be lining up with God's ministerial priorities.

According to Jesse, the main purpose of the anointing upon Jesus was to get rid of material poverty. In fact, Jesse seems to believe that getting rid of poverty was more important to Jesus than opening the eyes of the blind. He comes to this astounding conclusion based on the order of statements made by the Lord Jesus:

Preaching the good news to the poor does not mean making the poor wealthy. The good news to the poor was that they were as valuable to God as the rich. Jesus came to the poor with good news, the news of God's favor and grace being extended to them.

If Jesus came to make the poor rich, then He did a miserable job. If you read through the gospel accounts you do not find Jesus telling the poor how to become wealthy. Nor do you see Jesus revealing "keys" to prosperity.

Matthew 19:23-24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Luke 1:53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

Luke 6:24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.

1 Tim. 6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

James 5:1 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.

There is no inherent spirituality in being poor, nor is there any in being rich. Mr. Duplantis teaches otherwise. He sees the Church has been in bondage to Satan. Why? Because God's people are not all wealthy! In fact, most of God's people are rather poor (except in America when compared to the rest of the Church).

He predicts more miracles will be happening in the future because the Church will be lining up with God's ministerial "priorities," i.e. getting financially wealthy.

So for Mr. Duplantis the purpose of the anointing is to make one prosper materially. Once one has gotten wealthy , THEN the person can be concerned with the other aspects of Luke 4:18. . .but first things first. . .show me the money!

The Manifestation of the "Anointing"

The high point of almost every charismatic service is the personal ministry time. This is when the congregants with various needs are called upon to come up to the front of the church and receive the need-meeting supernatural mystic power from the anointed speaker.

This anointing is transmitted by the laying on of hands from the speaker to the waiting, willing congregant. How does the person (and observers) know that the anointing is being transmitted into the individual via the leader? The receiver will 99% of the time fall backwards into the arms of a designated "catcher." This phenomena is known popularly as being slain in the spirit.

The standard explanation for this "evidence" of receiving the anointing is this:

The human body cannot withstand the literal weight of the glory of God and so the individuals fall down.

This definition is given a couple of "proof" texts to show that the practice is Biblical. The texts cited are the following:

Acts 9:4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

Rev. 1:17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

Both of the above examples do involve falling, however, that is the only point of agreement between them and the non-biblical practice of being slain in the spirit. No hands were laid on anyone in the Biblical examples of men and women falling down. There is no mention of any transference of anointing in any of the Biblical instances. In almost all of the Biblical references the people fell forward and not backward, which is the standard charismatic manifestation. THOSE EXAMPLES ARE NOT ANOINTING BUT THE GLORY OF GOD

In the example of the dedication of Solomon's temple (another proof text for this manifestation) all the priests could not stand due to the GLORY OF GOD. Thus, it is logical to expect God's people to respond in the same manner to His manifested presence. If you read the text you will find that the reason the priests could not stand to ENTER was because they were not present in the temple when the glory manifested! READ THE TEXT!

A Biblical View of the Anointing

Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

The anointing and the Holy Spirit cannot be separated. The charismatic teachers have made the anointing a separate power that God bestows on people. There is a direct connection between the Holy Spirit and the anointing. The Holy Spirit is the One who enables all Christians to fulfill their ministries.

Acts 10:38 How God ANOINTED Jesus of Nazareth with the HOLY GHOST and with POWER: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

God the Father anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and with power. Again, note the correlation between the anointing and the presence of the Spirit.

Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

It is very simple and plain. The Holy Spirit and the anointing are inseparable. You cannot have one without the other. With this obvious understanding it becomes very clear why what the charismatic teachers are presenting is false doctrine.

It is impossible to increase the amount of the Spirit an individual possesses. Which means it is equally impossible to increase the "anointing" of another person by laying hands on them! THE HOLY SPIRIT CANNOT REDUCE NEITHER CAN IT INCREASE. LOOSE UP PEOPLE OF GOD

Since the Holy Spirit and His anointing are inseparable, it becomes obvious that one cannot impart anointing to inanimate objects. We do not command or direct the Holy Spirit. He does not flow out of me and into little bags of corn meal, thread, plastic coins, or vials of oil. He is not a commodity to be given away, nor is His divine power!

1 John 2:27 But the ANOINTING which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same ANOINTING teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

Charismatic Christians, by in large, are driven by a thirst for spiritual power. They are constantly seeking methods by which they can either obtain the anointing or increase whatever anointing they think they possess. This fact is obvious in the titles of the books they publish. Here are a few examples:

How To Understand Your Anointing - M. Hickey
God's Anointing For You - B. Hinn
Understanding the Anointing - B. Hinn
The Anointing Without Measure - B. Hinn
The Anointing - R.H. Browne
Fresh Oil from Heaven - R.H. Browne
God's Glory manifested Through Special Anointings - R.H. Browne
Special Anointings- R.H. Browne
The Healing Anointing - Kenneth E. Hagin
The Anointing of El Shaddai - C. Dollar

All of these books deal with the anointing as a commodity. ISNT THIS A SHAME ? It is something to be earned. It is something (in the minds of some of the above authors) that not all Christians have. It is something the entire above ministers feel empowered to bestow upon those willing to submit themselves to their doctrines.

All of these books offer a false hope of gaining supernatural power with God via the authors own brand of works, laws, steps, and principles.

CONCLUDING REMARKS

There is widespread confusion within the charismatic movement regarding the "anointing." There is no one commonly accepted definition. There is no uniformity in understanding how one may obtain whatever the "anointing" is. There is even a wide chasm of disagreement about who is really anointed.

The reason for this massive confusion among the leaders is simply because they have departed from the simple teaching of the Bible on this miniscule issue. They have been building their concepts around what they have heard other ministers say and not looked to the Bible as their source of material. They have based their widely varying beliefs on personal subjective experiences and not the solid foundation of the Bible.

The manner in which they transmit their mytic power and the resulting manifestations in the bodies of those receiving these powers leads me to believe that whatever is transpiring is more akin to the world of the occult versus orthodox Christianity.

In conclusion I do not believe any Christian today has God's power to bestow on another Christian, certainly not the people mentioned EALIER ON. Christians should be careful to know how to accept some of these men of God, very cunning spirit to deceive the people of JEHOVAH. The anointed of GOD, who are they? This is their national anthem when you query them. They are used to scriptures that will put fear into you, are these men of the living GOD? Did APOSTLE PAUL or any other APOSTLE or PROPHET in the bible ever put fear in the people by quoting scriptures to defend them own self?

Why Do We Anoint?

To consecrate a person, object or location to God (SET APART): Webster's definition of consecrate is “To devote irrevocably to the worship of God." God instructed Moses to consecrate the tabernacle, utensils and priests by anointing them (Exodus 40:9-11, 13, 15). As living tabernacles through Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 6:19), we can use our bodies and possessions to honour or dishonour God. By anointing them, we consecrate them to serve God and not evil.

It is involved in the healing process: The scriptures show that anointing with oil should be part of the ministry to the sick. James 5:14 says, “Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and ANOINT him with oil in the name of the Lord.” Mark also mentioned this practice was used by the disciples, who “drove out many demons and ANOINTED many sick people with oil and healed them” (Mark 6:13 NIV).

WHO CAN ANOINT PEOPLE?

1. Apostles, Elders (followers of Christ) (James 5:14) (Mark 6:13)

2. Everyday sinners: “And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and ANOINTED them with the fragrant oil. Luke7:37-38 NKJV

3. Ourselves: “So David arose from the ground, washed and ANOINTED himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he went to his own house; and when he requested, they set food before him, and he ate.” 2 Samuel 12:20 NKJV

WHEN TO ANOINT:

1. After cleansing ourselves: “Then I washed you in water; yes, I thoroughly washed off your blood, and I ANOINTED you with oil.” Ezekiel 16:9 NKJV
2. After confessing and repenting from our sin; rededicating ourselves after a fall (2 Samuel 12:20)

3. Dedicating objects to glorify God (examples: computer, monitor, VCR, eyes, mind, house, bed, etc…) (Exodus 40:9-11, 13, 15)

4. Prior to going into battle (Isaiah 21:5, 2 Samuel 1:21)

5. When someone is sick (Mark 6:13, James 5:14)

6. When we need protection (Isaiah 21:5, 2 Samuel 1:21)

7. When preparing to serve the Lord in a special way (Isaiah 61:1; Exodus 40:13)

WE ANOINT WITH:

Oil is most commonly used in anointing (John 12:3, James 5:14, Mark 6:13), though other substances can be used. Incredibly, Jesus used clay and spit to anoint a blind man's eyes and healed him in John 9:6. Prior to using oil or any other substance, we ask the Lord to bless it and use it as a holy medium for His purposes. The significance of anointing is not in the substance used, but rather in the spiritual reason behind the anointing.

What to anoint: People, places and things were anointed throughout the Bible. When we consider the different reasons for anointing, we can understand what ought to be anointed. Here are some suggestions of things to anoint:

People (family members, ministry workers, etc.)

Buildings (house, church, office, rooms, etc.)

Possessions: Beds (especially if struggling with nightmares, lustful dreams or sleeplessness); computer, monitor, TV, VCR, furniture, cars, etc.

Take it seriously: Anointing is a significant act. It behooves us to do our best to ensure that the things we anoint will not be used to dishonour God. This idea is found in Leviticus 21:11-12. God said the priest “Must not make himself unclean, even for his father or mother, nor leave the sanctuary of his God or desecrate it, because he has been dedicated by the anointing oil of his God.” Likewise, we should honour the dedication we have made to the Lord when we anoint
.

Touch Not Mine Anointed?

Signs Of The Times: It is particularly significant that so many Christian celebrities today regularly issue stern warnings to their critics ‘not to touch the Lord’s Anointed’. In fact It would be difficult to find a charismatic/evangelical service/program/tract/book that is not liberally sprinkled with the word 'Anointed

Consider this.. In Matthew 24, on the Mount Of Olives, the disciples came to the Lord privately saying “Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” Jesus’ first words in answer to them were “Take heed that no man lead you astray” (v.4) and then He went on to say “ For many shall come in my name, saying, I am the Christ; and shall lead many astray”. (Emphasis added) For as long as one can remember there has been the odd lunatic who called himself ‘The Christ’, but certainly there haven’t been enough of them to qualify for Jesus’ warning of “Many shall come in my name” (Most of them were nutty as a fruitcake anyway and certainly didn’t gather much of a following) .. However...

‘Christ’ means Anointed.. it is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word rendered “Messiah”

In other words Jesus answered a direct question about what signs would signify the end of the world with a warning that ‘Many would come in His name claiming they were ‘anointed’.

TOUCH NOT MY ANOINTED!

“Touch Not My ANOINTED ones, and do My prophets no harm.’” (Ps 105:15)

Whom Do They Think They Are Kidding?

Benny Hinn once stated,

'You cannot win attacking the servants of the Lord, no matter who they are or what they've done ...if the ANOINTING ever comes upon a man, don't touch that man, even if he turns away from God, and serves the devil, Don't touch him. You are in deep, serious danger.” What a crook statement my goodness

One is quite likely to come across different versions of this statement (apart from the obvious flaws in this particular one) So what does the Bible mean when it says not to touch God’s anointed and do His prophets no harm?

WHO ARE THE LORD’S ANOINTED?

There are several verses in The Old Testament that speak about the 'Lord's anointed'.

1) In 1 Sam. 12:3,5; 24:6,10; 26:9,11, 16,23; and 2 Sam. 1:14,16; 19:21 it is a reference to the kings of Israel.

2) In Psalm 20:6; the ‘anointed’ king is the divinely appointed means of the Lord’s deliverance.

3) In Lamentations 4:20 it either refers to the nation of Israel as a whole or the king at the time of the Babylonian invasion.

The mention of prophets in Psalm 105:8-15 and 1Chron. 16:15-22 is a reference to the patriarchs. They are called ‘ANOINTED’ in the sense of being set apart by God’s Spirit, a phrase elsewhere used specifically for Prophets (I Kings 19:16), Priests (Ex 29:7), and Kings (1Samuel 2:35).

(The patriarchs are called ‘prophets’ in the sense of being recipients of God’s special revelation, which was a title later used for those who proclaimed God’s revealed will, although some of the patriarchs did make specific predictions).

So the ‘ANOINTED’ were the patriarchs, the prophets, the kings and the priests

What does the Bible mean by “DO NOT TOUCH?”

Again it is well to clearly define what God means when He says “Do not touch….”. Does touch mean physical injury or verbal opposition?

When God told Saul (His anointed) to “Smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not...” (1 Sam. 15:3) Saul disobeyed and “spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the Lord...” (v.15). Upon which Samuel wasted no time in publicly denouncing Saul’s disobedience, telling him that “rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft”. (v.23), and that God had rejected him as king, The Lord’s ‘anointed’ was verbally condemned by Samuel for his disobedience.

David who was anointed before God took away Saul’s position refused to touch Saul physically. When David and two other men sneaked into Saul’s camp at night one of the two men asked to strike Saul with a spear as he felt God had delivered Saul into David’s hand. But David refused and said, “Who can stretch out his hand against the Lord’s anointed, and be guiltless?” (I Sam 26: 3-11). In verse 15-16 David even rebukes Abner for not guarding Saul and says he deserved to die for not protecting his master.

However this does not stop David from rebuking Saul for pursuing him since he was innocent and had done nothing to harm Saul. Saul then repented of his actions and called himself a fool. He added he would not harm David any more since his (Saul’s) life was precious in David’s eyes. David returned Saul’s possessions and said, “For the Lord delivered you into my hand but I would not stretch out my hand against the Lord’s ANOINTED.” (v. 17-24).

The story of Saul ends with David kept from the Battle that Saul and Jonathan lost their lives in, instead he fought the Amalakites. An Amalakite messenger came back with torn clothes and dust on his head showing he was in mourning, David inquired of him and he told David he killed Saul.

“So David said to him, “How was it you were not afraid to put forth your hand to destroy the LORD's ANOINTED?” Then David called one of the young men and said, “Go near, and execute him!” And he struck him so that he died. So David said to him, “Your blood is on your own head, for your own mouth has testified against you, saying, 'I have killed the LORD's ANOINTED.’”(2 Sam 1:13-16).

The Bible makes it clear... to touch the anointed means to bring physical harm and/or death.

“Saying, ‘To you I will give the land of Canaan as the allotment of your inheritance,’ When they were few in number, indeed very few, and strangers in it. When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people, “He permitted no one to do them wrong; yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes, Saying, ‘Do not touch My ANOINTED ones, and do My prophets no harm.’” (Ps 105:11-15)

Again we are told that God protected His anointed (Israel) and His prophets from the enemies of Israel who would have done them bodily harm.

Are There Any ‘ANOINTED’ Persons Today?

“Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has ANOINTED us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee” (2 Cor. 1:20-22).

“But the ANOINTING which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same ANOINTING teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.” (I Jn. 2:27).

These verses are unambiguous ...THE ENTIRE BODY OF CHRIST IS ‘ANOINTED’, not just certain people in the body, and all Christians have the SAME ANOINTING… THE SAME HOLY SPIRIT.

CONCLUSION

Too many evangelists today use Bible threats such as “don’t touch God’s anointed” or “You are blaspheming the Holy Spirit” in an effort to silence critics who expose their false gospels and un-Scriptural teachings. They claim the critics are speaking against a ‘Man of God’. This bears a striking resemblance to the situation in 1 Samuel where Saul, whose position was threatened, pursued the man who was innocent. Moreover when David became king he accepted rebuke and correction from Nathan the prophet. He did not say, “don’t touch God’s anointed” to protect himself.

Incidentally ‘blaspheming the Holy Spirit’, if read in context, referred to those that insinuated that Jesus’ miracles were performed by Satan. It has nothing to do with questioning another man’s doctrine, claims of healing etc.

When someone says they are “anointed” or “led by the Spirit” but consistently teach contrary to the Word in its accurate context, you can be assured that they’re not being led by God’s Spirit nor is the truth in them.

Furthermore if you are really anointed you don’t have to make threats since it is God who protects His anointed,

“Now I know that the LORD saves His ANOINTED; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the LORD our God” (Psalm 20:6-7).

Interestingly Paul, who was questioned, never once hid behind “Touch not God’s anointed” or “do my prophets no harm”. On the contrary he applauded the Bereans and called them “noble” for checking Scripture to see if what they were being taught was truthful. If someone is truly anointed, they would want to encourage people to discern what is true and what is not. They would encourage people to pursue the truth no matter what.

Sadly there seem to be few Bereans in our church today. People are quite willing to tell others not to touch the so-called anointed but never spend the time to open their Bibles and see if there is any validity to the claims of critics. It is so easy in this day and time for the purveyors of false doctrines to quote a verse of Scripture and have their listeners swallow it hook, line and sinker, little realizing that the verse is way out of context and their interpretation of it is far removed from its original meaning.

But to find out what is true or false they must look into the matter and hear both sides and test both arguments by Scripture before they make a final judgment.

“The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge” (Proverbs 18:15).

Many so called leaders will tell you to not bother with doctrine since all the ‘proof’ you need is in your experience, yet the Bible states

“Whosoever transgresses and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, HATH NOT GOD. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son” (2 John 1:9). Emphasis added.

Another common protest thrown at those who take a stand for the truth is that we are not supposed to judge.

However there are innumerable verses in the Bible dealing with false teachings and refuting the errors. [See Section Judge Not?] Hebrews 5:14 tells us that mature believers, those who are of “full age,” are those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern (judge) both good and evil.” In 2 Timothy 2:17 Paul not only warns of the heresies of two men, he also names them.

Jesus Himself said:

“Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment” (John 7:24).

“holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict” (Titus 1:9).

“That you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine” (1 Timothy 1:3).

“He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the just, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD” (Proverbs 17:150)

WHOM DO THEY THINK THEY ARE KIDDING?

There is a international anthem among an elite class of Charismatic celebrities today. It’s a stern warning repeatedly directed at their critics with a residual effect upon their devotees. It’s the frequent and methodical strategy that they recite against anyone who opposes their unscriptural doctrine and practice. It’s a charge of “blasphemy of the Holy Spirit” and “touch not the Lord’s anointed.” These indictments, however, are a flagrant misuse of Scripture and a tactic to ward off substantiated biblical criticisms of their Scripture twistings and lack of integrity. It is a diversion to hold the scripturally illiterate at bay and keep their faithful from questioning their most outlandish conduct and off-the-wall teachings. It is, in no uncertain terms, a form of blatant manipulation and spiritual terrorism. And the intensity of their assaults only heightens when they see their dishonesty and deceitfulness about to be exposed. Spiritual dictators always resort to pummeling and manipulation.

But just who is blaspheming whom? And who is really touching God’s anointed?

It should be noted, the Scriptures never give to any Christian unquestionable authority. No leader, in the Old or New Testaments or even today, is endowed with such an exclusive calling as to not be examined in their faith and practice or even chastised when found neglected.

The command of “TOUCHING NOT THE LORD’S ANOINTED” is clearly an injunction against soliciting or initiating physical harm against God’s people. Context bears this out.

Consider, for example, the very persons — David and Saul — who are the chief participants involved in this “touch not” command (1 Samuel 24:6, 26:9). Both of these men, while kings, suffered rebuke in their lives, Saul by the reproof of both David (1 Samuel 24:10-15) and Samuel (1 Samuel 13:13-14), and David himself by the powerful admonition of Nathan the prophet (2 Samuel 12:7-12)

In the New Testament, we find Apollos (“a learned man with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures”) being corrected and instructed by Priscilla and Aquila in Acts 18:26 and the Apostle Peter being confronted “to his face” by Paul in Galatians 2:11-21. These men did not act in defiance to these rebukes, but accepted them. They did not set themselves upon a pedestal of distinction so as not to be challenged or questioned. They did not curse those who corrected them or wish harm on their children. The clear injunction of the New Testament for leaders and teachers was demonstrably at work here: James 3:1 — a more strict judgment, not a circumventing of scriptural accountability as well as Galatians 6:1.

More alarming, however, is the fact that these self-appointed spiritual aristocrats and demagogues are guilty of violating the very command of God which they flagrantly accuse others of doing. In the course of many years of evaluation and criticism, PFO and the ministries with which it closely aligns, have never stooped to name-calling or inviting disease and devastation to come upon those against whom we disagree. Yet, consider just a brief sampling of what has proceeded out the “anointed” mouths of some of the more prominent superstars:

“I place a curse on every man and every woman that would stretch his hand against this anointing. I curse that man who dares to speak a word against this ministry” (Benny Hinn at his July 1999 Denver Miracle Crusade as shown on the Praise the Lord show, Sept. 10, 1999)

“I have been disturbed by a bunch of, oh I’m just going to say it, a bunch of crap. ... Go ahead and tape it, put it on your slime-ball radio broadcast. You’ll have to pray it through Pastor Phil, but this old German, I’d say sue the bastards” (Paul Crouch on the Praise the Lord show, October 1994, cited in Christian Sentinel, Spring 1995, pg. 9).

“Be careful! Your little ones may suffer because of your stupidity. Now I’m pointing my finger today, with the mighty power of God on me, and I speak. ... And your children will suffer. If you care for your kids, stop attacking Benny Hinn” (Benny Hinn at the World Charismatic Conference, Aug. 7, 1992)

“Several people that I know had criticized and called that faith bunch out of Tulsa a cult. And some of ’em are dead right today in an early grave because of it, and there’s more than one of them got cancer” (Kenneth Copeland, “Why All Are Not Healed,” tape #01-4001).

“I refuse to argue any longer with any of you out there. Don’t even call me if you want to argue doctrine, if you want to straighten somebody out over here. ... I think they [i.e., those he labels ‘heretic hunters’] are damned and on their way to hell and I don’t think there is any redemption for them. I say, ‘To hell with you.’ I say, ‘Get out of God’s way, quit blocking God’s bridges or God is going to shoot you if I don’t’” (Paul Crouch on TBN’s “Praise-A-Thon,” April 2, 1991)

CAN ONE TELL THE TYPE OF MINISTERS WE ARE DEALING WITH?

WATCH OUT PEOPLE OF GOD, DON’T BE FOOLED BY NAMES.

The type of judgment issued by these men is that which our Lord was truly addressing in Matthew 7:1. These teachers, who claim to be so greatly “ANOINTED” of God and at a spiritual apex, demonstrate the absence of one of the most fundamental teachings of Christ and the inspired New Testament writers (Luke 6:27-28; Romans 12:14; James 3:9; 4:11-12; 1 John 2:9).

Christians are instructed to judge doctrine and actions, to test the spirits, and to expose the fruitless works (Matthew 7:15; Romans 16:17-18; 2 Corinthians 2:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; 1 John 4:1; Ephesians 5:11).

We are not, however, permitted to judge motives or salvation — those are judgments which belong solely to our Lord (1 Corinthians 4:5). We are never to utter wish ill and evil on others.

Then too, there’s the question of “blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.” Once again, modern-day teachers have wrenched a passage from its proper context in an effort to sidestep accountability for their doctrine and conduct. They give new meaning to the title of “THE UNTOUCHABLES.” AS PROPHET T.B JOSHUA QUOTED IN ONE OF THE NIGERIAN LOCAL PAPERS (VOICE OF HOPE, vol.5 No 2, page 5).

Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, as recorded in the Gospels (Matthew 12:31-32; Mark 3:28-30 and Luke 12:10), is an historical event which involved having a complete revelation of Jesus Christ and rejecting it by attributing His works to Satan. It has nothing whatsoever to do with religious superstars, latter-day revivalists and faith-healers. What sheer arrogance it is for these “untouchables” to suggest that a testing of their “signs and wonders” and their “revelation knowledge” is tantamount to the person, life and ministry of Jesus Christ.

Truly, as Christ said, “men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19).

But then there’s the question of Paul’s admonition not to grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). Does an examination of the teachings and conduct of the men who claim a celestial calling cause one to grieve the Holy Spirit? Paul did not equate such action by the believers, but rather commended them for their diligence and faithfulness to the Word (Acts 17:11). He also instructs Christians that their ways are not to be “secret and shameful” (2 Corinthians 4:2). We can grieve the Spirit by engaging in any of the bad behaviors laid out in Ephesians 4. The setting of the verse makes it clear as to what Paul is warning about. In reality, if the Holy Spirit is being grieved, it is not by modern-day atheist or heathens, but by men and women like Benny Hinn and his wife, Suzanne, with their reckless and unrestrained speech under the guise of the Holy Spirit. Consider the following:

“Those who put us down are a bunch of morons. ... You know, I’ve looked for one verse in the Bible, I just can’t seem to find it. One verse that says, ‘If you don’t like ’em, kill ’em.’ I really wish I could find it. ... Sometimes I wish God would give me a Holy Ghost machine gun — I blow your head off!” (Benny Hinn on TBN’s “Praise-A-Thon,” April 1990, emphasis added),

“If your engine is not revving up, you know what you need? You need a Holy Ghost enema right up your rear end. ... Be God-pleasers, don’t be people-pleasers. Because if you’re a people-pleaser, you’re a butt-kisser. If you’re a people-pleaser, you’re a butt-kisser. There’s no other word for it” (Suzanne Hinn at the World Outreach Center, July 1997, emphasis added).

CAN YOU BELIEVE WHAT YOU JUST READ? LOOK FOR THE VIDEO ONLINE! ISNT IT SAD…?

“The Lord also tells me to tell you in the mid-nineties, about ’94 or ’95, no later than that, God will destroy the homosexual community of America” (Benny Hinn at Orlando Christian Center, Dec. 31, 1989). BUT GOD NEVER DID, I BET YOU GOD IS SLEEPING(my comment in bold)

Holy Ghost machine guns,? Holy Ghost enemas,? False prophetic words of destruction,? CAN ANY RATIONAL-THINKING PERSON BELIEVE THAT GOD IS BEHIND SUCH COMMENTS? Can any sane Christian maintain that God is honored by these remarks?

Now, more than ever, the Church needs be on guard against these preachers, with their electronic pulpits and worldwide crusades. They have jaded their followers to where anything is acceptable. Christians must not be terrorized by their idle and angry threats, or intimidated by their fallacious use of Scripture. Obeying the frequent commands of Scripture, to watch for and defend against false teachers and their teachings, are the activities which bring spiritual growth, discernment and maturity, and honour our Lord and Saviour.

IS IT TANGIBLE AND TRANSFERABLE; CAN WE IMPART IT?

Hebrews 6:1-3 “Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.”

The laying on of hands has become an enlarged subject because of its use in the church today. The Bible considers it part of the ABC’s of doctrine along with repentance and baptism.
In the Old Testament It was a symbolic act accompanying a prayer for a blessing, at other times it was accompanied the word of prophecy being spoken or to affirm one into ministry. There is no Biblical basis for associating laying on of hands with a transmission of a mantle or transferring the anointing from one person to another.
It is found in the book of Acts as the practice to commission someone into ministry. The laying on of hands has become a Pentecostal tradition that is removed from its original meaning in Scripture. Touching people on the forehead or chest so they fall is considered a sign of the power of the Holy Spirit. But none of this is found in the Acts of the Apostles or taught in the Epistles that instructed the church.

Paul writes--1Timothy 4:14: “Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.”

In other words, God spoke what he was doing in Timothy and they approved of him into ministry even though he was young. What was this gift? The previous verse tells us Vs.13-Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.”
Paul laying hands on Timothy was not with the intention to pass on a gift or power or result in the abnormal behaviour as we see today ‘It affirmed the gift they saw working in him which resulted in his appointment to be a pastor. Timothy came under attack as a young pastor and Paul had to reaffirm to him in

2 Timothy 1:6-7 “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

In other words he should not cave under pressure from others because of his youth, he was approved by God and through the apostles.
What does this have to do with what we see today? Next to nothing. What we see are people lined up as the anointer comes to lay hands on people in line or sporadically wanders through the audience touching them to pass on what he has.
Yet Paul counselled Timothy in

1Timothy 5:21-22:“Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people's sins; keep yourself pure.”

A power called the “anointing” is being transferred by the touch of one person to another, however, the message of the Christian faith was to be spread by teaching from one to another. One is subjective and the other is objective.
Paul instructs timothy

‘And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.’ (2 Timothy 2.2)

True spiritual growth comes through the testing of our faith, by our consistent reading, understanding and applying the Word in our lives. NOT by an impartation or a experience at a special meeting. Those who promise a quick transformation from a touch or impartation, are not delivering the truth that is taught in the Bible.
Many today are taught to get an impartation from the anointed preacher. There is no need when Scripture states we all have the same standing before God; all believers have the same Holy Spirit and Christ as our mediator. We can all receive from Jesus, who is the one we should all be seeking. Going to a certain person or meeting to seek an anointing by impartation is unbiblical. No other person is to be our mediator to receive the Holy Spirit. Whenever men become mediators, Christ’s teachings diminish and men’s teachings increase. We are then giving them, not the Lord control over our lives.
Laying hands on the sick to pray is not the same as imparting the spirit and watching them buckle.
A ‘transferable anointing’ is not seen nor practiced anywhere in Scripture. We also find that the Apostles did not rush around laying hands on people to impart an experience of ‘fire’ or power. They did not chant words over and over and expect a immediate response. The impartations done today that come through certain men are not the true anointing, who is the Spirit of God. Only God can give the Spirit; Jesus is the baptizer of the Holy Spirit, not man. Man cannot control God- there is no teaching on how to obtain or release the anointing to another.
Acts 8 is an interesting passage in which Philip preaches in Samaria and many people are saved, but Peter has to come from Jerusalem to lay hands on the people so that they might receive the Holy Spirit. When Simon the Sorcerer sees something spiritual happened and he offered to pay for the ability to pass on the Spirit to others.

Acts 8:19-20 "Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit."

One wonders what would be the difference of today’s signs and wonders preachers that claim this ability. Peter said

‘Your money perish with you because you thought the gift of God could be purchased with money. … Repent therefore of this your wickedness and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned with bitterness and bound by iniquity’ (Acts 8.22-23)

Corinthians reads ‘Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has ANOINTED us is God who has also sealed us and given us the SPIRIT in our hearts as a guarantee.’ We have been sealed with the Holy Spirit living inside us.

1 John 2.27: ‘These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things and is true and is not a lie and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.’

HOW CLEAR DO YOU WANT THIS SCRIPTURE TO READ, TO ENABLE YOU UNDERSTAND PEOPLE OF GOD?
The anointing which is the Holy Spirit is in us, it is He who guides us into the truth so we can glorify the Lord Jesus (John 1613-15). We certainly are not glorifying the Lord when we go to men to get the Holy Spirit; it is a lack of understanding and a lack of faith.
Excerpts from online research

Compiled and Posted by khodjo Owusu

Mis-Translations And Mis-Interpretations In Christendom

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Wednesday 11 December 2002

THE "ANOINTING"

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