Question:  Dear Greg,

            In searching through your “See what others are asking Greg”, I was sparked by a question about “anointing”.  I hear a lot of teachings that are always about receiving “the anointing”.  Almost all references to “the anointing” are usually from television evangelist programs with formats surrounding “money”, prosperity and the like.  Is there biblical reference to passing on “the anointing” or “imparting the Holy Spirit” or “imparting anointing gifts”?

            In Christ,

            Laurie

Answer:  Dear Laurie,

            The biblical usage of the term “anointing” strictly applies to the act of dedicating a person through the application of oil to his or her head.  However, in some circles – most notably charismatic and word of faith teaching (featuring an emphasis on what is popularly called the “gospel of health and wealth”, as per your comment below), the term has been given broader significance as a result of subjective interpretation.

            In such circles followers and supporters of a particular minister will often speak of an “anointing” that is “on” him or her – implying that God has directly commissioned the person for the specific work that they are doing.  Of course God may have – and on the other hand he may not have.  Dogmatically interpreting what God is specifically doing or not doing with another human being is a hazardous exercise for human beings, since the history of Christian experience reveals that Christians have usually been unaware of what God was or was not doing.

            In Christ,

            Greg Albrecht