Introduction

Sacred anointing in the biblical context refers to the ceremonial act of pouring or smearing oil upon a person or object, signifying consecration, sanctification, or empowerment for a divine purpose. This practice is deeply rooted in the Old Testament and finds its ultimate fulfillment in the New Testament with the anointing of Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit. The anointing of Christ serves as a profound illustration of His divine mission and authority.

Old Testament Background

In the Old Testament, anointing with oil was a significant ritual used to consecrate priests, kings, and sometimes prophets. The anointing oil was a symbol of the Holy Spirit's presence and empowerment. For instance, Aaron and his sons were anointed to serve as priests: "Then you shall take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and everything in it; you shall consecrate it along with all its furnishings, and it will be holy" (Exodus 40:9). Similarly, Samuel anointed David as king over Israel, signifying God's choice and empowerment: "So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward" (1 Samuel 16:13).

Prophetic Foreshadowing

The Old Testament also contains prophetic references to the anointing of the Messiah. Isaiah prophesied about the coming of the Anointed One, who would be empowered by the Spirit to fulfill God's redemptive plan: "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to bring good news to the poor" (Isaiah 61:1). This passage foreshadows the anointing of Christ and His mission to bring salvation and healing.

The Anointing of Christ

The New Testament reveals the fulfillment of these prophecies in the person of Jesus Christ. At His baptism, Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit, marking the beginning of His public ministry: "As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him" (Matthew 3:16). This event signifies the divine approval and empowerment of Jesus for His messianic mission.

The Anointing and Ministry of Jesus

The anointing of Jesus by the Holy Spirit is central to His identity and work. Peter, in his sermon to the household of Cornelius, affirms this truth: "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" (Acts 10:38). The anointing equipped Jesus to preach the gospel, perform miracles, and ultimately offer Himself as the atoning sacrifice for humanity's sins.

Theological Significance

The anointing of Christ with the Holy Spirit underscores His unique role as the Messiah, the Anointed One. It highlights His divine authority and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. This anointing also serves as a model for believers, who are called to be anointed by the Holy Spirit for service and witness. The Apostle John writes, "But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth" (1 John 2:20), indicating that believers share in the anointing of Christ through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Conclusion

The sacred anointing of Christ with the Holy Spirit is a profound biblical theme that illustrates His divine mission and authority. It connects the Old Testament practices and prophecies with the New Testament fulfillment in Jesus, emphasizing the continuity of God's redemptive plan. Through this anointing, Christ is revealed as the ultimate Prophet, Priest, and King, empowered to bring salvation to the world.Psalm 45:7
You love righteousness, and hate wickedness: therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 61:1
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on me; because the LORD has anointed me to preach good tidings to the meek; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 4:18
The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he has 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,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

On the Use of Ointments and Crowns.
... the brain is cold, approve of anointing the breast ... ourselves with flowers, insulting
thus the sacred passion of ... [1465] [An idyllic passage illustrative of our ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter viii on the use of.htm

Appendix ix. List of Old Testament Passages Messianically Applied ...
... King Messiah, on whose account the anointing oil was ... 25 we have the following curious
illustrative reference in ... last for many years, and the Holy replies that ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix ix list of old.htm

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
... and fitted it to receive the sacred implements, all ... Christ has consecrated the way,
and we enter into ... services contained many types highly illustrative of the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm

Period iii. The Dissolution of the Imperial State Church and the ...
... of beholding and participating in the sacred mysteries ... six in number: baptism, the
eucharist, anointing or confirmation ... by the mercy of Christ), everything which ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iii the dissolution of.htm

The City of God. Index of Subjects.
... a young woman freed from a, by anointing, [520]488 ... Great Mother, the, the abominable
sacred rites of, [804 ... were there any outside of, before Christ, who belonged ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books /the city of god index.htm

Life of Bunyan
... itself with every occupation, however sacred, or however ... baptism, laying on of hands,
anointing with oil ... possessed in highest perfection the illustrative faculty ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hamilton/life of bunyan/life of bunyan.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... his inquiries as to the meaning of the sacred language ... As, whether there were in
truth a God or Christ, or no ... a fable, and cunning story, than the holy and pure ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

The Deputation from Jerusalem - the Three Sects of the Pharisees ...
... more will have to be said as illustrative of Pharisaic ... wine, even from the common
Eastern anointing with oil ... of life was rendered even more sacred by doctrines ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter ii the deputation from.htm

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