What Does It Mean to Be Anointed by God?

April 20, 2022 9 Comments

What Does It Mean to Be Anointed by God?

By Brooke Holt

“You yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him” (Acts 10:37–38).

What a sight it must have been to see Jesus baptized by his cousin, John the Baptist. John had done hundreds of baptisms in the Jordan River, but none like Jesus. Luke describes the day: “Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased’” (Luke 3:21–22). Take a moment to imagine yourself standing by and watching. The heavens opened, the Spirit descended, and a voice spoke from heaven. No one had ever seen or heard this kind of thing before the baptism of Jesus.

Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit, and he lived faithfully by that Spirit. What does it mean to be anointed by God? It means that Jesus was given everything he needed for life and godliness. Through that Holy Spirit, he had the strength to overcome temptation. He had spiritual wisdom that surpassed those who studied the Law and the Prophets. And he had power in his teaching, preaching, and healing of illness, demon possession, and infirmity. Jesus was no ordinary man; he was the Son of God who lived in the leading and power of the Holy Spirit. Because Jesus embraced the anointing and power of the Holy Spirit, he lived a perfect, sinless life—while still experiencing all the temptations that we encounter.

If you are in Christ, you have been filled with the Holy Spirit. The Lord has a calling on your life that can only be fulfilled if you live in the anointing of that Spirit. That means daily surrender, daily filling, and daily obedience to his plans and purpose. Not one time, but every day, all day. To be anointed by God is to be filled with all the fullness of God so that you can faithfully do his work in this world. “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:3).

Reflection:

Are you living as one who has been anointed by God? There is joy and purpose in embracing your calling and purpose in Christ. Are you tapping into the power of the Holy Spirit within you and asking to be filled anew each day? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Related Resource:

Jesus calls the Holy Spirit a "gift" who will guide us, lead us, and empower us. Yet many believers don't experience the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives. This unique Christian small group Bible study provides a space in which we can explore what it truly means to "walk in the Spirit" on a daily basis. The Spirit-Filled Life small group curriculum centers on a 6-part video teaching series examining the life-giving and creative work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Begin to experience the gift today!

9 Responses

Millie

November 01, 2023

I feel the Lord has led me to read the Bible for the Bible is truth. I feel I can be bold about who I am in Christ.

Emmanuel Kabba

October 17, 2023

I think God for thi
s Thatcher’s

Allison Malcolm

October 06, 2023

I want desperately to have a more intimate relationship with Holy Spirit and would be interested in a study.

James Bulliner

September 29, 2023

Interested in the small group Bible study

Carolyn Markland

August 20, 2023

I am very interested in a greater walk with Christ I am filled with the holy Spirit and I love basking in the anointing of the holy spirit. There have been those who have been around me and have felt it but couldn’t describe it all they could say it was good..I realize it was the overflow of the spirit..I love Jesus with all my heart and I can’t help but tell everyone about him

Gale Brown

July 31, 2023

Yes that would be great to be apart of this group study

rosemary Zapata

January 24, 2023

Hi I had questions it been 3 years since I died the first time and I experience something so amazing i know the faith I have heaven is real when I went up so fast a tunnel of bright light watching all of my life flash before me memory being shown to then I at the end I see my baby sister she was speaking with in her mind and see and feel with in my heart she told that God Jesus Christ was waiting for me when I got to this place with big tall poles and walls big doors ok n clouds white bright clouds then a popit right by that popit stood Jesus Christ bright clot he rope around his wast face so bright then I saw how he look I felt so happy alive joy loved a peaceful place Jesus Christ hand his hands were upon me hearing my daughter far away my husband cooking music so far away he look at me and said it going to be ok I’m safe then he said but I need u down there and push me down that day was 04/10/2023 when I found out I had cancer it 3 years since I’ve seen a Dr or meds or any treatment I have faith that God Jesus Christ healed me I wouldnt be here if it wasn’t for him I’m very close to Jesus now I’m expecting a whole lot of things I thank God Jesus Christ for forgiveness and life n love hope believe

Kathryn Bohn

September 20, 2022

Very interested.

Deborah Knight

August 29, 2022

I would like to do a study, with a group on the annointing

Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.