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Introduction
Is the meaning "Anointing" and"Anointed" as defined by modern evangelicals Biblical
or is it one more in a long line of flagrant misuse of Scripture
What Does Anointed Mean IN THE BIBLE?
Who was anointed in the Scriptures?
"Touch Not Mine Anointed"
In Summary
Why, In Recent Years, Have So Many Preachers Begun Calling Themselves "Anointed" ?
It is a Clear Sign of the Times.
Anointed Objects In The Old Testament
Vs. Anointed Objects Today
Acts 19:11-12
A Point Of Contact?
The Reason For The Many NT Miracles
The Sons of Sceva
A word to the wise
Introduction:
In our day and age the words 'anointed' and anointing' are so terribly overused that it would be difficult to find a charismatic/evangelical service/program/tract/book that is not liberally sprinkled with the terms.
Speaking to a very large audience Joyce Meyer describes the anointing as "the presence and power of God in and on your life" and that we are often anointed for "special things". She goes on to say she is anointed as a "Bible teacher" which she says means that God has called and equipped her to do this. [01]
Virtually all references to the anointing speak of it as a commodity - a tangible, heavenly material that can be transmitted or transferred from one person to another. Benny Hinn tells macabre tales of visiting the graves of the late faith healers Kathryn Kuhlman and Aimee Semple McPherson where he is said to have felt an "incredible" anointing. In his words
"I trembled when I visited Aimee's tomb. I was shaking all over. God's power came all over me ... I believe the anointing has lingered over Aimee's body." [02] See Footnote I
Joyce Meyer claims that our actions can increase or decrease the anointing.
Also there are certain things a believer can do to hinder or increase the anointing. For example, speaking wrong words or mistreating people can hinder the anointing whereas a little extra prayer can increase it. [03]
Charismatic preachers who claim to be 'under' the anointing often describe it as warmth or something akin to electricity. They say they can feel it in the room or come over them personally. In his book Good morning Holy Spirit, Benny Hinn wrote...
"suddenly my little body was caught up in an incredible sensation that can only be described as "electric." It felt as if someone had plugged me into a wired socket. There was a numbness that felt like needles-a million of them- rushing through my body." [04]
Taking this one step further, he has spent years throwing or blow 'the anointing' at people causing them to physically fall over. (See Slain in What Spirit?)
Although the Benny Hinn quotes were made quite some time ago nothing has changed in the charismatic world. Rob and Glenda Rufus are founders and senior pastors of City Church International in Hong Kong. In a transcript of the final session from the 2011 Grace and Glory Conference in the Philippines, Rob Rufus says that God
".. wants us to see that the anointing can be transferred. The anointing is transferable, transmittable and tangible. The anointing of God is like supernatural electricity. The anointing of God is like heavenly materiality - it is real. You can feel the anointing. You can feel it on your hands and you can feel it on your face. You can feel it leaving your body and going into someone else's body. [05]
Is This Biblical?
All of which brings us to the $64,000 questions
1.) Is our understanding of the anointing in line with the Scriptures?
2.) When someone calls themselves 'anointed' how can we know that they are what they say they are?
3.) And, quite obviously, what exactly does the Bible means when it says not to touch God's anointed? (Below)
Regarding point 2 above, If we simply believe what they say, we would also have to accept the claims of all cult leaders. Unfortunately much of the Christian world today is convinced by the supposed 'miraculous signs' that so many Charismatics seem to perform. For example, many in their audience can be 'slain in the spirit' and/or claim they have been healed of some form of physical ailment.
Neither of these are foolproof reasons for accepting anyone or anything as 'anointed'.
1.) Hindu gurus have long transmitting power through Shaktipat or 'Divine Touch' with many of their followers falling over as a result. Compare the supposedly 'Christian' phenomenon of slain in the spirit with the ancient Hindu tradition of Kundalini HERE
2.) Miraculous signs and wonders are not confined to the Christian church. Satan can and does pull off quite a few of his own (See Revelation 13:13-14. 16:13-14). In fact, one of the most dangerous mistakes made in the church is assuming that God must be present because miracles are performed.) See The Second Most Dangerous Mistake Any Christian Can Make on THIS Page
The only, and I mean only, true test of the spiritual is to carefully check what the Scriptures have to say on the subject. In this case we need to take an in-depth look at what according to the Scriptures, the words anointing or anointed mean, how they are used in both Old and New Testaments, and who the anointed ones in the Bible were. Only after we are armed with this knowledge,can we possibly be in a position to decide whether the claims of so many modern day Charismatics are built on fact or fairy dust.
What Does Anointed Mean IN THE BIBLE?
The English adjective 'anointed' is translated from the Hebrew Mâshîyach which means a consecrated person or thing. Mâshîyach is derived from from the verb mâshach which means to rub with oil, - by implication to consecrate or dedicate to a service or goal. In turn consecrated means set apart for a high purpose.
Looking up every instance of ‘anointed’ in the Scriptures will not reveal any other meaning. Yet, Crosswalk.com says to be anointed is to be set apart, empowered, or protected. [06] Only the first of the three definitions is accurate.
The article cites 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 to support for the idea that the anointing "empowers" believers. It doesn’t! The word 'empower' means to invest with power (especially legal power or official authority) - to equip or supply with an ability. All the verse says is that the believer is set apart - consecrated by God to His service - There is noting even remotely connected with any kind of empowerment
Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge (Gk. arrhabon) (2 Corinthians 1:21-22 NASB)
The Greek word arrhabon does NOT mean a guarantee as some have translated it. See
A Deposit "Guaranteeing" Our Inheritance?
Similarly the article refers to 1 Chronicles 16:21-22 and James 5:14 as examples of God's protection. If read in context (Context is CRUCIAL) it is clear that 1 Chronicles 16:21-22 refers to either the Patriarchs and/or the entire nation both of which were most certainly 'set apart' to God's service. See Touch Not My Anointed Below
James 5:14 reads
"Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing (Gk. aleipho) him with oil in the name of the Lord."
The Greek word used in this case was aleipho used for a physical smearing with oil and spices. The Jews did not practice embalming thus bodies were "anointed" with oil and spices to help control the smell of decomposition. For example,
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might come and anoint (Gk. aleipsosin) Him. (Mark 16:1 NASB)
Luke 7:46 uses the same word regarding the incident while Jesus was reclining at the table in Simon the leper's home when a woman broke an alabaster vial of very costly perfume of pure nard and poured it over His head. When people present claimed that the expensive oil had been wasted, Jesus told them
You did not anoint (Gk. aleipho ) My head with oil, but she anointed (Gk. aleipho ) My feet with perfume. (Luke 7:46 NASB)
I have no idea how this anointing can be seen as "God's protection. The very next verse in James (V.15) clearly states that (Emphasis Added) "the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him." It was the prayer of faith that was to heal the sick person not the anointing.
As a by the way: All the New Testament verses that speak of Jesus' anointing as Messiah use the Greek chrio which has a very different meaning from aleipho. Only God can anoint or set apart a person for a very special purpose.
Who Was "Anointed" in The Scriptures?
The Old Testament
The Priests
Referring to the clothes they were to wear in temple ceremonies, God told Moses
"You shall put them on Aaron your brother and on his sons with him; and you shall anoint them and ordain them and consecrate them, that they may serve Me as priests. (Exodus 28:41 NASB)
The Patriarchs/The Nation of Israel
"Do not touch My anointed (Heb. mâshîyach) ones, and do My prophets no harm." (1 Chronicles 16:19-22 NASB)
This very is referring to either the Patriarchs, the nation of Israel as a whole or both. The immediate context of this verse is the Covenant God made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob telling them that He would give them the land of Canaan as their inheritance.
When they were only a few in number, Very few, and strangers in it, And they wandered about from nation to nation, And from one kingdom to another people, He permitted no man to oppress them, And He reproved kings for their sakes, saying, "Do not touch My anointed ones, And do My prophets no harm." (1 Chronicles 16:19-22 NASB)
The wording "they were only a few in number" very much suggests that these verses were speaking about the nation as a whole rather than just the Patriarchs. On the other hand there is no question that God protected the Patriarchs protecting them from various powerful individuals. For example,
God protected Abraham twice while staying in hostile nations whose kings lusted after his wife. Neither king laid a finger on Abraham or Sarah but instead sent the couple away unharmed and even enriched them (Genesis 12 and 20). The same happened to Isaac (Genesis 26). Jacob arrived in Paddan Aram with nothing, but he left with vast riches (Genesis 31); after all his dealings with his unscrupulous Uncle Laban, Jacob said, "God has not allowed him to harm me" (verse 7). [07]
It actually makes no difference. Both the Patriarchs and the nation itself were "anointed" - set apart for His specific purpose.
The Prophets Elisha and Isaiah
Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint (Heb. mâshach) king over Israel; and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint (Heb. mâshach) as prophet in your place. (1 Kings 19:16 NASB)
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners; (Isaiah 61:1 NASB)
Note that Isaiah's words were a prophecy of the Messiah who was God's anointed
Various Kings Anointing a king was equivalent to crowning him, thus many of the kings of Israel were anointed...
David: So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the Lord said, "Arise, anoint him; for this is he." Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed (Heb. mâshach) him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward. (1 Samuel 16:12-13 NASB)
Solomon: Zadok the priest then took the horn of oil from the tent and anointed (Heb. mâshach) Solomon. Then they blew the trumpet, and all the people said, "Long live King Solomon!" (1 Kings 1:39 NASB) Also See 1 Chronicles 29:22
Saul: "About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint (Heb. mâshach) him to be prince over My people Israel; and he will deliver My people from the hand of the Philistines. For I have regarded My people, because their cry has come to Me." (1 Samuel 9:16 NASB. Also see 10:1; 15:1)
Note that although Saul turned out to be a disaster he was for a while the Lord's anointed thus even David would not do him any harm
David said to his men, "Far be it from me because of the Lord that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord's anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, since he is the Lord's anointed." (1 Samuel 24:6 NASB)
Jehu (2 Kings 9:1-3), Hazael (1 Kings 19:15), Joash (2 Kings 11:12 and 2 Chronicles 23:11), Jehoahaz (2 Kings 23:30), Zedekiah (Lamentations 4:20),
Even Cyrus was called the Lord's anointed (Isaiah 45:1) as he too was set apart for a particular purpose.
Note however, that the Bible makes absolutely NO mention of any preachers and teachers being "anointed".
The New Testament
Although Jesus was never physically anointed with oil God "set him apart" or consecrated to his office as Prophet, High Priest and King of his people - the highest office ever held in the world. Isaiah prophesied this centuries before Christ came to earth.
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed (Heb. mâshach) me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners; (Isaiah 61:1 NASB)
At the beginning of His ministry Jesus stood up to read in the the synagogue. When the book of Isaiah was handed to Him He opened it and found the above verse. Using the Greek chrio in place of Isaiah's mâshach He said
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, Because he anointed (chrio) me to preach good tidings to the poor: He hath sent me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovering of sight to the blind, To set at liberty them that are bruised, (Luke 4:18]
In other words, Jesus is called the Christ (Christos) because He is the Anointed One of God. He was set apart for a special purpose.
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He anointed (Gk. chrio) me to preach the gospel to the poor. he has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, (Luke 4:18 NASB)
"For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed (Gk. chrio), both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, (Acts 4:27 NASB)
"You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed (Gk. chrio) Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. (Acts 10:38 NASB)
"You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed (Gk. chrio) you with the oil of gladness above your companions." (Hebrews 1:9 NASB)
Chrio was also used in reference to all Christians as being set apart to the service of God.
Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed (Gk. chrio) us is God, (2 Corinthians 1:21 NASB)
Although Charismatic teachers have made the anointing a separate power that God bestows on people, the New Testament is clear... all believers are anointed - set apart or consecrated to God which, by the way, is the definition of 'holy'. This effectively eliminates the idea that a few special persons who have the anointing are more gifted than other believers or have special 'powers' that others do not have.
(See What is Holiness?)
Although holiness certainly implies goodness, the core meaning of holiness is not "good" but "set apart" and therefore, good.
And that is not all.
Believing that they are anointed for "special things" as Joyce Meyer put it, preachers are not above attempting to put the fear of God into their listeners. Anyone who has attended an authoritarian, fundamentalist, or charismatic church is very likely to have heard one or another version of the phrase...
"Touch Not Mine Anointed"
This statement comes from 1 Chronicles 16:22 and Psalm 105:15, both of which say
"Do not touch My anointed ones, And do My prophets no harm."
This very ominous sounding warning is often issued to those who would challenging the leader's authority and/or oppose their unscriptural doctrines and practices. (See who the Lord was specifically speaking about under Who Was "Anointed" in The Scriptures? above)
For example, Benny Hinn who took it further than most, once said
"Be careful! Your little ones may suffer because of your stupidity. Now I'm pointing my finger today, with the mighty power of God on me, and I speak. ... And your children will suffer. If you care for your kids, stop attacking Benny Hinn” (World Charismatic Conference, Aug. 7, 1992).
You cannot win attacking the servants of the Lord, no matter who they are or what they've done ...if the anointing ever comes upon a man, don't touch that man, even if he turns away from God, and serves the devil, Don't touch him. You are in deep, serious danger.” [08]
Creflo and Taffi Dollar are co-pastors of World Changers Church International in College Park, GA. As once reported on John Mark Ministries Taffi, once introduced her husband as one who talks "face to face with God, like Moses" and warned that "every tongue that rises up against" her husband will "be struck down." [09]
And since this phrase comes straight out of the Bible, many seem to believe that questioning the man behind the pulpit would bring the wrath of Almighty God hurtling down on their heads. Few realize that ...
The Word "Touch" means Physical Contact.
The English touch was translated from the Hebrew nâga which means to lay ones hand upon (for any purpose). While nâga is sometimes translated as as reach or arrive, it usually indicates physical contact never verbal opposition..
but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat from it or touch (Gr. nâga) it, or you will die.'" (Genesis 3:3 NASB)
So Abimelech charged all the people, saying, "He who touches (Gr. nâga) this man or his wife shall surely be put to death." (Genesis 26:11 NASB)
"You shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, 'Beware that you do not go up on the mountain or touch (Gr. nâga) the border of it; whoever touches (Gr. nâga) the mountain shall surely be put to death. (Exodus 19:12 NASB)
'You shall not eat of their flesh nor touch (Gr. nâga) their carcasses; they are unclean to you. (Leviticus 11:8 NASB)
And behold, one who resembled a human being was touching (Gr. nâga) my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke and said to him who was standing before me, "O my lord, as a result of the vision anguish has come upon me, and I have retained no strength. (Daniel 10:16 NASB)
And there one another point to consider -
The Lord's Anointed Were Often Rebuked By Others.
Saul anointed by God as king over the people was commanded by God to "strike Amalek and utterly destroy all that he has, and do not spare him; '"...” (1 Samuel 15:3), Saul disobeyed by sparing "the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the Lord...” (Vs. 15). Samuel wasted no time in publicly denouncing Saul's disobedience, telling him that "rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft" (Vs. 23), and that God had rejected him as king.
David was anointed king of Israel. Yet, when he had Uriah the Hittite killed so that he could marry Bathsheba, Uriah's wife with whom he had had an affair, the prophet Nathan had no qualms reproving David and pronouncing God's judgment on the king. (See 2 Samuel 12).
Although the Bible says nothing specific about Apollos or Peter being anointed we know that Peter was given the keys to the kingdom in which role he was the first to open the doors to the Jews on Pentecost and the Gentiles beginning with Cornelius and his family.
Apollos, was called a man "mighty in the scriptures" (Acts 18:24), and tells us that he was speaking out boldly in the synagogue (Vs. 26). But Apollos, being only familiar with John's baptism, was obviously off base in some respects because, as verse 26 goes on to say, "when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately".
Peter was the apostle to whom the keys to the kingdom were given (Matthew 16:19), yet Paul did not hesitate to confront him to his face when he was clearly in the wrong. (Galatians 2:11-21)
None of the men mentioned above set themselves on pedestals of untouchability nor did they curse those who endeavored to correct them, much less threaten their children.
No Christian has such unquestionable authority that they are above having their doctrines, teachings, or actions questioned. Much to the contrary Paul called the Bereans "noble" for checking Scripture to see if what they were being taught was true. It is a tragedy that so many that have forgotten James' warnings, when he said
Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. (James 3:1 NASB)
In Summary
If one were to look up every instance of the word anoint / anointing etc. a few facts should become very clear
1) The Bible never once says, or even implies, that the anointing is a supernatural power given to human by which they are able to perform miracles.
2) The Bible never once says or even implies that anyone can transmit the anointing by any means, including the laying on of hands.
It is true that Acts 19 tells us that the Spirit came upon on some believers from Ephesus when Paul laid hands them, the account does not say a word about the Spirit coming through Paul's hands. The Scriptures are clear... God sends the Holy Spirit (1 Peter 1:12) which means laying hands on someone was/is equivalent to a prayer that God would do so. In some cases it is asking God to impart some kind of blessing on the person such as healing them.
3) The Bible never once says, or even implies, that anyone can get, keep, lose, or increase the anointing.
4) The Bible never has Jesus or any of the apostles teaching anyone how to obtain the anointing.
5) The Bible never once says, or even implies, that there is any such thing as a double or triple portion of the anointing.
(Note: Elisha did not ask for a double portion of Elijah's anointing, but for a double portion of his spirit. The words are totally different in Hebrew. As said by David Guzik in his commentary
The idea of a double portion was not to ask for twice as much as Elijah had, but to ask for the portion that went to the firstborn son, as in Deuteronomy 21:17. Elisha asked for the right to be regarded as the successor of Elijah, as his firstborn son in regard to ministry. Yet Elisha had already been designated as Elijah's successor (1 Kings 19:19). This was a request for the spiritual power to fulfill the calling he already received.
It is worthwhile to consider if this was generally a good or a bad thing. Normally we don't think of one person inheriting the ministry of another. The relation between Elijah and Elisha - and God's apparent blessing on their ministries - shows that at least sometimes God intends one person to inherit the ministry of another.
However, the tragedy is that a large number of church goers today are a thrill seeking lot obsessed with signs and wonders. They have forgotten that that the Bible tells us that the period of time close to the end of the age will see a rise in false prophets who perform miracles, prophesy, and cast out demons in Jesus' name (Matthew 7:22-23; 24:11-13, 24; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).
Why, In Recent Years, Have So Many Preachers Begun Calling Themselves "Anointed" ?
Why in recent years there has been an explosion of preachers running around calling themselves "anointed".
The answer is not a very palatable one.
Matthew 24 relates how one of the disciples, apparently taken with the splendor of the temple, commented on it's size and beauty and the immensity of the building's stones from which it was constructed. At which Jesus made a dire prophecy that the time was coming when not one stone would be left still standing on another.
Some of the disciples then asked Jesus in private when this would come to pass, and when the end of the age would come (24:3). Jesus did not immediately answer the question - His first words were a warning
And Jesus answered and said to them, "See to it that no one misleads you. "For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will mislead many. (Matthew 24:4-5 NASB)
If we think about it, this really doesn't happen very often. There has of course, been the occasional lunatic who called himself "The Christ", or even "Jesus Christ". Most of these claimants were nutty as a fruitcake and certainly didn't gather much of a following. But these have been few and far between, and do not come close to fulfilling Jesus' prophecy that clearly states that many will claim to be the Christ.
What we need to bear in mind is that 'Christ' is a title not a name. The word Christos is the Greek translation of the Hebrew mashiach - 'messiah' or 'anointed one'.
However, when the English translators came across Christos in the New Testament they did not translate the word but transliterated it. This simply means that a word in one language is written using the alphabet of another. Thus the Greek Christos became Christ and antichristos (an-tee'-khris-tos) became antichrist.
In summary, Jesus answered a direct question about what signs would signify the end of the world with a warning that 'Many would come in His name claiming they were 'anointed'.
Here we are find ourselves - on the verge of the End of The Age Also See Other Signs of The Times
Anointed Objects In The Old Testament
When on their way to the promised land the nation reached Mt. Sinai, Moses was given instructions regarding the construction of the tabernacle, mercy seat, the altar and all its furnishings, the garments of the priest, the sacrifices etc.
Included among these instructions was the precise formula to make "holy anointing oil" which was a base of olive oil mixed with certain proportions of myrrh, cinnamon, cassia, fragrant cane etc. Under penalty of being cut off from the people the Jews were strictly forbidden from reproducing the exact formula for personal use. (Exodus 30:23-33)
And there was good reason for this.
The 'Holy Anointing Oil' was used solely to consecrate various objects and people to the service of the Lord. This included the tent of meeting, the ark, the altars of incense and burnt offering, the laver (the bronze basin wherein the priests washed their hands and feet before approaching the altar) etc. See Numbers 7:1. The same oil was also used to consecrate Aaron and his sons to the service of the Lord.
"Then you shall take some of the blood that is on the altar and some of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it on Aaron and on his garments and on his sons and on his sons' garments with him; so he and his garments shall be consecrated, as well as his sons and his sons' garments with him. (Exodus 29:21 NASB)
Leviticus 8 gives us a little more detail. Moses was instructed to assemble all the congregation at the doorway of the tent of meeting. (V.3). After Moses dressed Aaron on the tunic, sash, robe, ephod, and breast piece etc. he
... took the anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle and all that was in it, and consecrated them. He sprinkled some of it on the altar seven times and anointed the altar and all its utensils, and the basin and its stand, to consecrate them. Then he poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron's head and anointed him, to consecrate him. (Leviticus 8:10-12 NASB)
Consecrating something or someone simply meant that it was set apart for God's service. As said by The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik - Once sprinkled with oil the tabernacle wasn't just a tent; the altar was no longer just a fire-pit; The anointing set Aaron apart - he was no longer just a man but also the high priest of the Living God. [10]
In the Leviticus verses we are told that the temple objects were sprinkled with oil but it was poured over Aaron's head (See Psalm 133:2) possibly indicating that it was given in no small measure.
Anointed Objects Today
The above should make it crystal clear that the only anointed objects in the Scriptures were those that were set apart and used exclusively in the service of God in the temple.
Yet, According to many evangelicals anything can be 'anointed', including services, speakers, preachers, music, television programs, prayer cloths, swords, web sites, oil, cornmeal, red thread etc. etc. In fact, there are more versions of the "anointing" than Baskin-Robbins has ice cream.
A few years ago it seems that among many other things everyone and his brother in the charismatic world was peddling "anointed" prayer cloths in exchange for donations. Although the link no longer exists Kathleen Riley, a self described Bible teacher, author, healing ministry and worship leader, once said,
Prayer cloths are used for the purpose of the salvation of loved ones, healings, deliverance from oppression and evil spirits, and for other situations requiring a miracle from God... When the cloth is anointed and prayed over, it becomes a carrier of the anointing and contains healing virtue. The prayer cloth is not just symbolic of God's power, but there is a tangible transferable energy of the Holy Spirit that is released to the recipient of the cloth.
While few ministries seem to be doing this now, there are a some that are still hanging in there. At the time of this edit (July 2024) Morris Cerullo's site offers "a Special Vial of Anointing Oil" and a "Miracle Prayer Cloth" with any donations up to $99. [11]
And how did this practice come about?
Acts 19:11-12
Most will cite the incident mentioned in Acts 19:11-12 that they claim sanctions and provides an example for what they do. In fact, the 'anointed' trinkets and pieces of cloth people can order then send in to be prayed over are vast elaborations in two lines in Acts. The relevant verses read...
"God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out. (Acts 19:11-12 NASB)
Rod Parsley's web site explains that Paul (Emphasis Added)
...touched handkerchiefs and aprons that were brought to him, and diseases left people and evil spirits went out of them. As people touched the transferable anointing God placed on the cloth, they were healed. A simple piece of cloth can work in the same way for you!
He goes on to say
"Pastor Rod Parsley will pray over your requests during our 30th Annual Miracle, Healing, and Victory PRAYER CLOTH SERVICE and for God to anoint your prayer cloth, which will be here on the altar! ... then we willsend you that prayer cloth, saturated in the anointing, that you can put in contact with your needs and receive your transforming touch!" [12]
Also See Rod Parsley's manipulation of the meaning of The Day Of Atonement
to elicit money from his extremely gullible listeners.
There are several points to be noted about this account in Acts...
Contrary to what Parsley says, Luke says absolutely nothing about aprons and handkerchiefs being brought to Paul or that the apostle himself sent out the aprons. There is absolutely no record of Paul praying over his aprons and handkerchiefs. Nothing in the text says the aprons and handkerchiefs were 'anointed' in any way.
The text simply says these object were "carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out". We are not told who carried them. Nor is there a single recorded incident of any object being carried from any of the other apostles to the sick.
In fact, the New Testament does not record a single object that was anointed.
Also pay close attention to the fact that the text does not say that when the aprons etc. were carried from Paul's body to the sick some, or even many, were healed. It says "the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out". All who received Paul's clothes were healed. And this is hardly surprising considering that the Bible terms these "extraordinary" miracles.
Do we seriously imagine that miracles termed "extraordinary" in the NT, can be so common place today?
Based on the many signs and wonders that were taking place, the very superstitious people of the time believed that even Peter's shadow would heal the sick. However, the text is not clear as to whether people on whom Peter's shadow fell were healed
At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon's portico. But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem. And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number, to such an extent that they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on any one of them. (Acts 5:12-15 NASB)
A Point Of Contact?
Parsley's inventions aside, there are a couple of things to be said about what should be no more than a point of contact.
I do imagine that something tangible cab help boost a person's faith. However, we have to be sure and remember that a piece of fabric nor anything else can ever be "anointed" but is only a tangible connection to God and His healing.
Remember the woman who had an "issue of blood" for several years that could not be healed by anyone. The story found in Matthew 9:20-22, Mark 5:25-34, and Luke 8:43 essentially tells us that she came up behind Jesus and touched the fringe of His cloak as she was sure that touching His garment would make her whole.
And it did.
Parsley claims that "she was transformed! Not by the fabric of Jesus' garment, but by the anointing IN it" [13] The Savior begged to differ. He said to her (Emphasis Added) "Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well."
Her faith was in the Son of the living God, the Savior, the Healer, and the Deliverer.
The same thing happened on a much larger scale. Matthew 14:35-36 tells us that
"... when the men of that place (Gennesaret) recognized Him, they sent word into all that surrounding district and brought to Him all who were sick; and they implored Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak; and as many as touched it were cured. (Matthew 14:35-36 NASB)
Although there is no record of Jesus saying anything to the sick who wanted to touch His cloak,what He said to the ailing woman has to hold good here as well.
The Reason For The Many NT Miracles - Compassion AND Authentication
There is no magic in aprons, handkerchiefs, or people's shadows.
While there is no question that many of Jesus' miracles were based on His compassion for people..."He saw a great multitude and felt compassion for them, and healed their sick." (Matthew 14:14) they also served to to authenticate His person and mission, as He Himself said, and Peter later testified to
"But the testimony which I have is greater than the testimony of John; for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish--the very works that I do--testify about Me, that the Father has sent Me. (John 5:36 NASB)
Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know-- (Acts 2:22 NASB)
This pattern was continued by the early apostles. God used amazing signs and wonders to confirm both His truth and His messengers.
On the day of Pentecost three thousand who heard Peter speaking in different dialects came to faith. Acts 2:43 says 'Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles".
When Peter and John went to the temple at the hour of prayer, they healed a man who had been lame from his mother's womb (Acts 3:1-8.) The astonished people were told by the apostles that it was not by their own power they had healed the man, but through the power of Jesus of Nazareth, whom they had crucified, Vs. 9-16. The apostles were subsequently jailed (Acts 4:3), but "many of those who had heard the message believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand". (Acts 4:4 NASB)
Similarly, when the Samaritans "believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, many of them were baptized (Acts 8:12 NASB) However, just a few verses earlier we are told that this was, at least, partially due to the fact that they were witness to some signs and wonders.
Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them. The crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was said by Philip, as they heard and saw the signs which he was performing. For in the case of many who had unclean spirits, they were coming out of them shouting with a loud voice; and many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed. So there was much rejoicing in that city. (Acts 8:5-8 NASB)
When Peter raised Dorcas from the dead, 'It became known all over Joppa, and many believed in the Lord". (Acts 9:42) And as far as Paul's apron miracles were concerned, verse 20 tells us that the word of the Lord both grew "mightily" and prevailed.
In short, virtually all the miracles recorded in the book of Acts, was followed by a statement that many who saw or heard of the miracle believed.
However, one incident in the book of Acts should serve as a word of warning to modern "faith healers
In fact, note what happened when some con men tried to cash in on the miracles that were taking place.
Sons of Sceva
The seven sons of Sceva, the local priest, were called wandering Jewish exorcists. These seven brothers who had no connection to Paul or Christianity had obviously heard the stories and decided to capitalize on the miracles that were taking place. They took it upon themselves to
".... call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth".
Well, that didn't get them very far. That the spirit wasn't fooled is evident by its response... "I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?". The man who was possessed then proceeded to beat up all seven men and throw them out of the house naked and bleeding.
This story not only affords some wry amusement but very importantly should serve as a very stern warning - impostors are neither tolerated nor effective.
However, although it did not go very well from the brothers point of view, the incident had interesting side effects. People were awestruck by the fact that the demons knew of Jesus, and that His power could not be treated as a commodity ... something useful that could be turned to advantage merely by invoking His name. The end result that even more people began to fear the true God, and magnify Jesus' name. (Acts 19:17-18)
The fact that we accept that people call themselves "anointed", and that an entire industry has sprung up around prayer cloths and anointing oil is a sad commentary on capitalism - and our paucity of Biblical knowledge.
Does any of this mean that miracles no longer happen today - that God will not bypass crass commercialism and heal a person of faith?
Certainly not! See Cessationism
End Notes
[01] https://www.facebook.com/joycemeyerministries/videos/what-is-the-anointing/574159747293743/
[02] Benny Hinn's Romance with Necromancy. Let Us Reason. http://www.letusreason.org/pent.28.htm
[03] ibid.
[04] Benny Hinn. Good morning Holy Spirit, Thomas Nelson Inc, May 7, 1997 Pg. 21
[05] Rob Rufus Blog - Grace and Glory!!- "The Flow of the Anointing" The final session from: "Grace and Glory Conference - the Philippines" 2011. Posted by Dan Bowen. http://robrufus.blogspot.com/2011/06/rob-rufus-flow-of-anointing.html
[06] What Does It Mean to Be Anointed? Kyle Blevins. https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/what-does-it-mean-to-be-anointed.html
[07] What does the Bible mean when it says not to touch God’s anointed? GotQuestions.org
https://www.gotquestions.org/touch-not-Gods-anointed.html
[08] Hinn's newest faux pas. http://www.letusreason.org/b.hinn6.htm
[09] Mark and Bev Tindall. Rev. Creflo Dollar Jr. May 19, 2004. http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/12789.htm
[10] The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik. https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/leviticus-8/
[11] Morris Cerullo World Evangelism. https://mcwe.com/prayer-conference-call/
[12] Why A Prayer Cloth? https://www.rodparsley.com/prayercloth/about#:
~:text=As%20people%20touched%20the%20transferable,Matthew%209%20had%20suffered%20long.
[13] [ibid.
Footnote I - Benny Hinn's Romance with Necromancy
"One of the strangest experiences I had a few years ago [was] visiting Aimee's tomb in California... Friday I am gonna go and visit Kathryn Kuhlman's tomb. It's close by Aimee's ... I've been there once already and every so often 1 like to go and pay my respects 'cause this great woman of God has touched my life. And that grave, uh, where she's buried is closed, they built walls around it. You can't get in without a key and I'm one of the very few people who can get in.
But I'll never forget when 1 saw Aimee's tomb. It's incredibly dramatic. She was such a lady that her tomb has seven-foot angels bowing on each side of her tomb … I felt a terrific anointing when 1 was there. 1 actually, hear this,' I trembled when I visited Aimee's tomb. I was shaking all over. God's power came all over me. ... I believe the anointing has lingered over Aimee's body.
In the first place I looked up Aimee's grave site and there is no wall around it and you certainly don't need a key to get in.
Benny Hinn was apparently impressed with the fact that her tomb had seven-foot angels bowing on each side of her tomb. Seriously?
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