After His resurrection, the greatest gift Jesus gave His disciples was the Holy Spirit. By the Spirit, Christ, who would ascend to the Father, would continue to involve Himself in the lives and ministries of His disciples.
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever– 17the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” – John 14:16-18
Ministry wasn’t always like this. In the Old Testament, God chose specific individuals to serve Him.
For example, the Lord had Moses sanctify his brother Aaron for the priesthood.
“Take the anointing oil and anoint him by pouring it on his head.” – Exodus 29:7
The prophet Samuel consecrated the young shepherd David to become king over Israel.
“So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David.” – 1 Samuel 16:13
But Moses yearned for everyone in Israel to receive the Spirit.
“Moses replied, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!” – Numbers 11:29
In the new covenant established by Jesus’ death and resurrection, the dynamism of the Spirit is no longer restricted to a few lucky leaders. God bestows Him upon every believer, regardless of status or social position.
“This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.’” – Acts 2:16-18
Now, every servant of the Lord has a part to play in God’s kingdom.
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” – Romans 12:6-8
But many Spirit-filled Christians are drifting back to the days of the Old Testament.
How?
By emphasizing anointed personalities and by implying that their anointing is exclusive.
Why do they do this?
Ego is one reason. Some ministers get so impressed with their anointing, they take credit for the Spirit’s work. They believe they’re favored by God, that He’s biased toward them. These preachers confuse anointing with character and that’s dangerous.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” – Matthew 7:21-23
By contrast, note how Paul prioritized the spread of the gospel:
“I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done–19by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.” – Romans 15:18-19
If you have to brag, brag about Jesus!
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9
“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” – Galatians 6:14
Non-transferability is another reason. Some Christian leaders act as though the kingdom depends on them. They regard themselves as irreplaceable.
But even in the Old Testament, God’s Spirit could anoint teams, not just solitary individuals.
“Then Moses said to the Israelites, ‘See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 31and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills– 32to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 33to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic crafts. 34And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others. 35He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers–all of them skilled workers and designers.’” – Exodus 35:30-35
And God distributed the Spirit from Moses to a group of 70 elders so they could help him lead the nation.
“Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke with him, and he took some of the power of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied–but did not do so again.” – Numbers 11:25
Mature leaders strive to raise up others.
“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” – 2 Timothy 2:2
The New Testament teaches that every Christian is anointed. This means that all believers know the truth of the Word.
“But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth…27As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit–just as it has taught you, remain in him.” – 1 John 2:20, 27
And all may serve in the power of the Spirit.
“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” – 1 Corinthians 12:7
People like Moses and David enjoyed powerful ministries, but what we have in Christ exceeds their anointing.
“But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises.” – Hebrews 8:6
So there’s no reason to return to the limitations of the Old Testament. You needn’t look back; instead, stay humble, press ahead, and serve Jesus with the anointing of the Holy Spirit. When you do, you will glorify God.
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” – 1 Peter 4:10-11
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