Spirit-Anointed Ministry

Christian Ministry Booklet Three

PART THREE

SPIRIT-ANOINTED MINISTRY

From the pages of the Old Testament we read how the Israelite nation, throughout its long history, began to focus its hope for salvation in the coming of a ‘chosen one’ of God, who would bring deliverance to the Hebrew people, and establish God’s sovereign reign in their nation. As the history of this nation moved closer towards the intertestamental period, the figure of the “chosen one” was increasingly perceived in terms of a ‘Messiah’, who as a political figure would fulfill the nationalistic expectations of the Israelite people.

When Jesus came forward to be baptized by John, these Messianic expectations were rampant. While not denying his messianic role, Jesus did ignore the popular conceptions of the political and nationalistic Messianic figure. He revealed that his messianic mission was to be understood in terms of messianic ‘means’ rather than ‘messianic’ status. The word ‘messiah’ is an abbreviation of a Hebrew phrase meaning “anointed of Yahweh”, and although it was customary to link this phrase with the office of a king, its real significance was in relation to the purpose of the ‘anointing’, rather than the status of the person. As a cultic act, ‘anointing’ symbolized a person specifically chosen and empowered to fulfill the purpose of God, whether he be an Israelite or Persian King, or a priest in the temple.

Jesus demonstrated throughout his own MINISTRY that ‘messiah’ (Greek equivalent “Christ”) was used descriptively of the means and nature of his ministry rather than being a recognition of a Messianic office. It was his SPIRIT-ANOINTED (Christian, Messianic) MINISTRY, rather than his ‘Messianic’ status which was the most striking feature about his mission.

Jesus at his baptism was “anointed with the Holy Spirit and with power” (Acts 10:38), and through this was able to enter into ‘messianic’ MINISTRY — which for Jesus became “SPIRIT-ANOINTED” MINISTRY. He became the “anointed of Yahweh” at his baptism when the Holy Spirit descended upon him like a dove. From that moment on, he entered into his mission knowing he was specifically chosen and empowered to fulfill a MINISTRY made distinctive through the ANOINTING of the Spirit.

Through his SPIRIT-ANOINTED MINISTRY, Jesus manifested the presence and power of the Kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit’s presence brought into his life the immanency of the Kingdom. He was deeply conscious of living within the Kingdom’s power and presence. He understood the miracles, particularly his exorcisms, to be manifesting the presence of the Kingdom in the lives of people.