What is the anointing? The first time an event concerning the anointing takes place is in Genesis chapter 28. Jacob had fallen asleep with his head upon a rock or stone. This is s beautiful picture of the “rock of revelation”. Jesus said that it would be “upon this rock” that He would build His Church.

When we lay our heads upon the rock on His Word, leaning our minds upon His words then enter into rest, then by His grace He opens our understanding through the spirit of revelation. It is in this place we find Jacob receiving the promises of God for His life. He receives revelation of how God will bless him and be with him in all places. When Jacob awakes from this dream we exclaims, How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and the gate of heaven! In response to this Jacob anoints the rock he slept upon with oil. This is the first instance of something anointed in the Bible.

Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!” Then Jacob rose early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put at his head, set it up as a pillar, and poured oil on top of it. And he called the name of that place Bethel; but the name of that city had been Luz previously.

Genesis 28:16-19

In this event we see a picture of how a life of revelation, encounter and personal experience with God is the beginning of a life being connected with God and anointed by His Spirit. This revelation brought Jacob into the realities of heaven, the house of God. He found “the gate of heaven” His hunger for God brought about this encounter. Spiritual hunger is essential for us to discover the gateway (Jesus) that in turn steps us into an anointed life.

What is the anointing? There are really two aspects of the anointing. One is what Jacob experienced here. This is the foundational anointing that connects us the life of heaven. In I John we are told that we have received an anointing that teaches us all things. This is the anointing of revelation for our personal lives. Without this we have nothing to give to others. Our intimacy with God is foundational to move into the other aspect of the anointing
When we get into what is the anointing we also see that power dimension of the anointing. In the Book of Acts we see the scripture that says, “How God anointed Jesus”…

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

Acts 10:38

Chrio (Greek): anointing – through the idea of contact; to smear or rub with oil, i.e. (by implication) to consecrate to an office.

Here we see how God anoints us for the power ministry. The devotional revelation anointing and the anointing to heal demonstrating the Kingdom of God are two different anointings worked by the same Holy Spirit. We are all called to demonstrate the Kingdom of God in power. Just as Jesus said that we would do the works He did and even greater.

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.

John 14:12

Jesus had one purpose as revealed in I John, to destroy the works of the devil. To this same purpose we are called. It is not enough to say that we know Him. We must also demonstrate the same power that God used to make us free. If we are truly free then it is only normal for us to desire to give what we have received. Freely we have received. We must freely give.

He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

1 John 3:8

What is the anointing? This second aspect of the anointing of power is that which brings people into spiritual freedom. For who the Son (Jesus) sets free, is free indeed (John 8:36). It is normal for us to desire to be anointed of His Spirit. If we don’t desire that something is wrong. Indeed, we have lost our connection with Him in the secret place if we fall into religious ritualism never finding the place of demonstrating His power. Paul stated that “we live by the power of God” (2 Cor. 13:4). This means that we did not just “get saved” by the power of God, but that we “live” in His power. The Church of the Book of Acts did not know God apart from power demonstrations. If we are to properly reflect Christ in all of His fullness, His anointing of power is necessary.

Again, the anointed secret place of devotion is foundational because that is where we learn to “know Him” (Phil. 3:10). This by far is the most important thing in our lives. Like Jesus said, “It cannot be taken away from us.”

But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.

Luke 10:42

But it does not end there. We must give away what we receive. That is where His pure anointing is developed in our lives. Jesus could do nothing apart from the Father. We find Jesus beginning His days with the Father in private places. When we ask the question, “What is the anointing?” we must remember that it is two-fold being expressed in our devotion to God and in our commitment to extend His Kingdom through demonstrations of power.