I have to confess I was one of those seekers. I’d run from conference to conference; from speaker to speaker, and I’d buy as many of the tapes and books I could afford (I admit the “tapes” reference probably shows my age!). However, looking back with honesty, I can see that I never received what I was led to expect – because my expectations were misdirected. Not only was I being careless by running here and there to seek an imparted blessing from God, I was being disobedient!
It is now clear to me that chasing after “anointed” ministers, or groups that claim to be spreading “the anointing”, is the VERY thing that Jesus warned believers against in Matthew 24:23-26
Then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ! Or, There! Do not believe it.
For false Christs (anointed ones) and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders; so much so that, if it were possible, they would deceive even the elect. Behold, I have told you beforehand.
Therefore if they shall say to you, Behold, He is in the desert! Do not go out. Behold, He is in the secret rooms! Do not believe it.
Taking into account that the title “Christ” means anointed one, how many of these big name preachers are claiming to be specially anointed? So when we rush off to places because the anointed ones are there… we have ignored Jesus’ warning and we have opened ourselves to deception.
When we rush off to conferences to hear their imported “anointed” guest preachers (usually at a price of course) – or to any other place where “anointed” ministers are advertised we are disobeying Jesus’ SPECIFIC and clear warning and opening ourselves to deception. We don’t need to chase the anointing – in fact we are warned and commanded not to do so.
The term “anointing” is used in scripture ONLY to refer to the anointing of believers with the Holy Spirit (or a literal anointing with oil as a type of the Holy Spirit). There are NO alternative anointings in scripture and no anointings by any other name. I suggest great suspicion be shown when you hear of any specifically named anointing (for example “warrior anointing”). I can not see scripture supporting such a thing. The same goes for individuals who claim they have a special anointing not shared by others.
As Christians we are no less anointed than any other Christian no matter how famous or high profile they may be. If you are in Christ “the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as His anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true and no lie, and as He has taught you, abide in Him.” (1 Jn 2:27)
God’s anointing isn’t increased according to the level of celebrity someone attains, neither does it increase according to the amount of TV air time they have. We do not need to seek the “anointing” of other people. Instead we turn to the source of the “anointing” – our Heavenly Father, through the Lord Jesus Christ.
5 comments:
Very well said! A saw your comment on my post at revival school.
It seems that God is waking up His remnant to His Word.
God Bless You.
Nathan - A Watchman
http://www.watchmanscry.com
When you speak of anointing and those who chase those who are anointed are you talking about the practice of "impartations" in which one has the "anointed" one lay hands on them with the intent of having that speical gift that the "anointed" one has passed on to them. Is this Biblical? What say you?
Firstly ALL of those who have received the Holy Spirit are “Anointed”. The Holy Spirit is available to all who would ask to receive Him. The initial receiving of the Holy Spirit MAY occur through the laying on of hands as can be seen in the book of Acts.
There is NO ONE who is more anointed than any other Spirit filled believer. Any one claiming to be an “anointed one” to whom we need to go to receive spiritual blessing is making a false claim. They are the very people that Jesus warned His disciples about when He said:
Matt 24: “4 Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ, [the anointed one]' and will deceive many”.
And
Matt 24: “23At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ! [The anointed one] ' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it. 24 For false Christs [anointed ones] and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time.
I suggest you read my article in which I reference EVERY New testament reference to “anointing” to see what emphasis the scriptures put on this concept – and in what context we should view “anointing”.
It is something that has been grossly distorted in Charismatic/Pentecostal circles. This distortion has allowed (maybe encouraged) some to elevate their own importance and their own spiritual status above other believers.
Christians need to wake up to this distortion and stop following and feeding these false Christs.
Following these alleged "anointed" men and women, seeking an impartation is definitely not biblical practice.
In fact it is disobedience to the clear warnings and commands of Jesus found in MATT 24.
Is the article you are making reference to the one that is on the orginal post or you making reference to another article?
I ask these questions as recently our church sent for a revivalist from Argentina and the whole intent of the conference was about his "imparations". The church ministry staff were up there trying to get an imparatation every night as if it was something very speical. They ended up being slained and sometimes go into fits of laughter. They acted drunk. The guest speaker who imparted these imparations hardly used scripture in his messages and was even lewd at times and once even lifted his shirt to show a deformity on his adomen and called it the "glory of God".
I left with a bad feeling and saddess has entered my spirit and I have not returned. I have written to the head party of the church and she claims there was no need to have an alter call as all who attended were "saved" , but how could she know that as it was opened to the public and at one time a teen who appeared demonically possessed was brought up and the guest speaker laid hands on her and she went under. Now I am sure they thought she was delivered, yet no one spoke to her about repenting and being saved.
I am told the entire church has been revived yet, I am still crying three weeks later and can not return as if I am asked why I am crying what should I say when they all are rejoicing that they have been "imparted" a gift.
The head of the ministry, a very sweet lady, is a prophet and an apostle. She was imparted a gift from her mentor Dr. Feuchsia Pickett before she died and claims she has a lot of her same characterics. It appears she puts a lot of her emphasis on her ministry over the fact she got the anointing of this very godly woman before she died. She and her church often attend meetings with other "anointed" ones to get their blessings, such as Chuck Pierce and Peter Wagner. She is also best freinds with Cindy Jacobs. I have taken her scriptures she used in her article about her receiving the impartations from Dr. Pickette and showed her they were taken out of context and she just gives me another scrpture. She really believes in this stuff. What say you?
The article I refer to is the one called “Anointings”
From what you have written it seems that you already know that there are serious problems with that church.
The whole practice of “impartation” that you have described is false. The list of “anointed ones” that you mention is a list of people with unscriptural beliefs and practices. Steer yourself away from ANYONE who claims to have a special anointing that sets them apart from other believers.
From what you’ve shared, you seem very capably seeing all of this anyway – but it’s hard when your own fellowship, and people you know very well, get caught up with it. I know many people from around the world who have found themselves in a similar situation, so it’s something that is widespread and growing.
Basically it is easy for people to cling to whatever the WANT to believe. Scripture can be used to “prove” almost anything if it is taken and used out of its intended context. And unfortunately, most Christians tend to approach the Bible as a book of proof texts to support their particular views.
It’s probably much harder for people to recognise they are in error when that error has established them in a place of prominence and authority. Not only are those people faced with changing their beliefs, they are also faced with losing their prestige.
This situation with “impartations” is a prime example of people being set above others, either in the ability to “impart” to others or in the privilege of receiving something others have not received.
The “very sweet lady” you refer to seems to be deeply embedded into these false teachings and practices; to the extent that it brings her into contact and friendship with some of the most prominent people who propagate that kind of false Christianity.
I t would therefore take a lot for her to turn away from those things. In that case praying may be the only thing you can do for her.
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