The concept of anointing relates to the ancient practice of anointing those who would be Priests or Kings (eg., Leviticus 8:12; 2 Samuel 2:4). But for the combined office of “kings and priests,” the Church and Bride of Christ is invited to share (Revelation 1:6; 5:10). Jesus as the Head was anointed first, but the oil of the holy Spirit has run down upon his body members.
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity! “It is like the precious oil upon the head, Coming down upon the beard, Even Aaron’s beard, Coming down upon the edge of his robes.” - Psalm 133:1,2
The word in the Scriptures that says God has “anointed us” (
chrio) “is the verb form of “Christ,” the anointed, the Messiah (
Christos).
2 Corinthians 1:21“Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ [5548], and hath anointed [5547] us, is God”
Strong’s Concordance 5547 Christos (khris-tos’); from 5548; anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus:
Strong’s Concordance 5548 chrio (khree’-o); probably akin to 5530 through the idea of contact; to smear or rub with oil, i.e. (by implication) to consecrate to an office or religious service: - anoint.
The Bride of Christ—the faithful 144,000—constitutes of the glorified Anointed Body of Christ (Revelation 14:1).
How are the anointed to be identified? Those who have this anointing have no need that anyone teach them that fact, for they have the evidence of it—the proof of it in their own hearts and experience.
“And as for you, the
anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and
you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.” - 1 John 2:27
This passage does not mean “no need” to be taught instruction about the Scriptures in righteousness or God’s plan of salvation. John does not contradict other Scriptures which show that God had appointed teachers in the Church. Teachers are needed and to be recognized (eg., Galatians 6:6; Titus 1:9; 2 Timothy 2:2). John himself was a teacher and in this very epistle was teaching what both he and we appreciate as sound doctrine—necessary to be taught. What John is saying is that you don’t “need for anyone to teach you” that “Jesus is Christ” (vs 22). Notice how he says in vs 27 that what the anointing teaches “is true and is not a lie.” The “lie” was from the antichrist influence (vs 18) denying that Jesus was Christ (vs 21, 22). Also, those anointed with the Holy Spirit did not need anyone to tell them that they should not deny the Father and Son (vs 22); they knew this. The meaning is further understood by a correct translation of verse 20, “Ye have the anointing of the Holy One and ye all know it.” (Message Bible) In other words, the one receiving the anointing should know they have the Holy Spirit, whether others know it or not.
How does one personally evaluate whether they are of the Anointed? While others may observe and appreciate one as being led and used of the LORD, it is a personal judgment to perceive that one is a candidate for becoming part of the Christ, the Anointed. One has to ask himself whether he or she has come into the Anointed by the scriptural guidelines:
- Recognizing oneself is a sinner (Luke 18:13);
- Personally recognizing Jesus as one’s Savior (1 John 4:14);
- Recognizing the privilege of giving ALL in consecration to follow Christ (Matthew 16:24);
- Recognizing some fruits of the spirit in oneself (peace, faith, gentleness, self-control, etc.) and understanding Scriptures by the holy Spirit (Philippians 1:11; Ephesians 1:18; 5:17,18).
Members of the Anointed are NOT self-appointed for life. But in order to be of the completed Anointed Body of Christ, one must be “faithful until death” (Revelation 2:10) Only “if” one faithfully progresses in bearing the ”fruits” of the spirit to full maturation will one receive an abundant entrance into a heavenly reward—and Anointed Body of Christ.
“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these
ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for
if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11 For so an
entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” - 2 Peter 1:4-11
In the meantime, those who are prospective members of the Anointed Body of Christ are not appointed to a virtual apostleship—ruling with authority to control every aspect of worship with authority to decide what is Truth. The Papacy throughout the Christian Age ruled with authority to dictate what is “truth” and rule in all worship.
The Risen Anointed Body in Heaven. Many hope or claim to be of the Anointed company—whether Bible Students, Jehovah’s Witnesses or others. Actually prospective members of the Anointed Body of Christ begotten of the holy Spirit reside in various congregations around the world—from America to Siberia, across Europe to India, etc. As members of congregations, these individuals who have come under the anointing may simply promote what they understand to be Truth based on the Scriptures and make judgments by voting in decisions of the whole congregation.
When fully developed as New Creatures, they will be “born again” in the spirit (John 3:3-8). Not a self-appointed “Governing Body” now in the flesh—those faithful will then compose the risen Anointed Body of Christ in heaven.
