Anointing of the Spirit

 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 8
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The indwelling of the Spirit is an exclusively Christian blessing. Old Testament saints had the Spirit come upon them to perform special acts of God, but the Spirit of God did not reside in them as He does with Christians. In fact, Christians have the Spirit’s presence in both ways (John 14:1616And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (John 14:16); Acts 2:1-41And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:1‑4)). The difference may be illustrated in a motor-boat and a sail-boat. One has its source of power from within and the other gets its power from the wind from without. The Old Testament saints are like the sailboat; they were “moved by the Holy Ghost [Spirit]” (2 Peter 1:2121For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (2 Peter 1:21)) when the Spirit came upon them. But like the blowing wind, this was intermittent. Those saved today in these Christian times have His divine presence within them at all times. Like the motor-boat, they are “led by the Spirit” (Rom. 8:1414For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (Romans 8:14)), and this is dependent on the believer’s surrender to the control of the Spirit who dwells within. This has to do with being “filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:1818And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; (Ephesians 5:18)). (See Filled with the Spirit.)