In
a common ancient cultural practice, shepherds often poured oil on the heads of
their sheep in order to protect them from insects that would burrow in their
ears and kill them, contributing to anointing becoming symbolic of blessing,
protection, and empowerment.
The
Jewish people anointed the altar when making sacrifices. Spiritually, anointing
was related to strength or blessing. Priests were anointed with oil, later
followed by Samuel anointing both Saul and later David as kings of Israel. This
anointing signified a person as a chosen one among other people.
In
the New Testament, we are told God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit: "The Spirit of
The Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the
poor" (Luke 4:18).
Acts
10:38 adds, "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth
with The Holy Spirit and with power."
Acts
4:26-27 calls Jesus “God's
Anointed.” This was a term used to emphasize Jesus as the Chosen One
of God.
In
addition to Old Testament leaders and Jesus being anointed, the apostle Paul
spoke of an anointing of all Christians: "And it is
God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has
also put His seal on us and given us His Spirit in our hearts as a
guarantee" (2 Corinthians 1:21).
At
first glance, it may appear Paul only spoke of himself and those with him as
anointed. However, he states that The Holy Spirit within the believer is
associated with God's anointing. Every Christian is anointed or chosen by God
as His child, set apart for Him for acts of service (Ephesians 1:1-14; 2:10; 1
Peter 2:9).
First
John 2:20 also affirms this understanding of all Christians being anointed by
God: "But you have been anointed by
The Holy One, and you all have knowledge." Verse 27 adds, "But the anointing that you received from Him
abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as His
anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it
has taught you, abide in Him."
Those
gifted in leadership serve according to their gifts, just as others who may
serve with perhaps less visible gifts such as mercy or encouragement serve
according to their gifts (Romans 12:3-8).
As
Romans 12:4-5 teaches, "For as in
one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function,
so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of
another."