What does "God anointed Jesus" teach us about the Holy Spirit's role today? The Verse in Focus Acts 10:38: “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him.” What the Anointing Meant for Jesus • The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus at His baptism (Matthew 3:16). • Power accompanied the anointing, enabling miracles, teaching with authority, and victory over Satan (Luke 4:1–14). • The Spirit’s presence authenticated that the Father approved and was “with Him” (John 3:34–35). What This Teaches About the Spirit’s Role Today • Empowering for Ministry – Acts 1:8: “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.” – The same Spirit equips believers to preach, serve, and demonstrate the kingdom through spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4–11). • Commissioning for Good Works – Ephesians 2:10: created “for good works, which God prepared in advance.” – The Spirit prompts acts of compassion, justice, and healing that mirror Jesus’ earthly ministry (John 14:12). • Deliverance from the Enemy – Jesus broke demonic oppression; believers share that mandate (Mark 16:17; Luke 10:19). – The Spirit gives discernment and authority to confront spiritual darkness (1 John 4:4). • Assurance of God’s Presence – Romans 8:16: “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” – His indwelling reminds us that God is “with” us just as He was with Jesus (Matthew 28:20). • Guidance and Obedience – Galatians 5:16: “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” – The anointing teaches and leads into truth (1 John 2:27; John 16:13). • Continuity of the Mission – Luke 4:18–19 (quoting Isaiah 61:1–2) sets the pattern: preach good news, bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim freedom. – The Spirit sustains that mission through the church until Christ returns (Matthew 24:14). How to Respond to the Spirit’s Anointing • Rely, don’t strive: ministry flows from the Spirit’s power, not human effort (Zechariah 4:6). • Stay filled: keep short accounts with sin and cultivate communion through Word and worship (Ephesians 5:18–20). • Exercise gifts: step out in faith to serve, speak, give, lead, heal, and encourage as He enables (1 Peter 4:10–11). • Expect fruit: love, joy, peace, and the rest of the Spirit’s fruit confirm genuine anointing (Galatians 5:22–23). • Guard the testimony: holy living protects the credibility of the gospel (2 Corinthians 7:1). Summary Acts 10:38 shows that the Holy Spirit empowered Jesus for compassionate, victorious ministry, publicly marking Him as God’s chosen Servant. Today the same Spirit indwells and anoints believers, granting power, guidance, and boldness to continue Christ’s work, manifest God’s presence, and bring freedom to a world still oppressed by sin and Satan. |
    |