0696. Christ Was Anointed of the Spirit

Christ Was Anointed of the Spirit

"And the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from Heaven, which said, "Thou art My beloved Son, in Thee I am well pleased" (Luk_3:22).

Christ had walked some sixty miles to the Jordan to be baptized of John, and now immediately, following His baptism, Christ is seen praying. It is not difficult for us to discover the objective of that prayer. In Isa_42:1, this remarkable promise had been given concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. "Behold My Servant, Whom I uphold; Mine Elect, in Whom My soul delighteth; I have put My Spirit upon Him."

1. The Scripture above reveals a definite promise, Christ was to be anointed with the Holy Spirit. No marvel then, that He stood in the waters, following His baptism, and prayed, awaiting the promise of the Father. No marvel, too, that His prayer was immediately heard and that the heavens were opened, and the Holy Spirit descended like a dove and lighted upon Him.

We, too, who believe in Christ Jesus, need the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and, this very blessing is our birthright. John the Baptist had preached concerning Christ: "He that cometh after me is mightier than I. * * He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire." Christ gave His disciples a like assurance. We read in Act_1:5 : "For John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence."

And so it was, that, "When the Day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place, and suddenly there came a sound from Heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting" (Act_2:1-2).

From Pentecost, even until now, all those who believe in Christ are "baptized by one Spirit into one Body."

2. In Joh_1:33 we read these words, "Upon Whom thou shalt see the Spirit of God descending and remaining on Him, the same is He which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost." When Christ, then, was baptized with the Holy Ghost, the Spirit came to remain with Him. This, again, is true of the believer. The Holy Spirit came on the Day of Pentecost and has remained upon His people.

Frequently we hear the question, "Can Pentecost be repeated?" If, by that question, one means can the Holy Spirit descend from Heaven upon a praying congregation or individual, we answer, "No." Christ said, "I will send you another Comforter that He may abide with you for the age." And if the Holy Ghost is here, during all the days which lie between Calvary and Olivet, why should we pray for Him to come?

What we should do, is to recognize that He is here. We should claim by faith every spiritual blessing which is ours in the Holy Ghost.

3. It may be well to read Joh_3:34 : "For He Whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God; for God giveth not the Spirit by measure." Many times believers seem to think that they are possessing some of the Spirit, but this is not true. The Holy Spirit in all His fullness and blessing, is God’s gift to His Church. The danger lies not in the fact that God has given the Spirit to us "by measure," but rather in the fact that we are giving ourselves "by measure" unto the Spirit.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR