The Truth About the Anointing

The Truth about the anointing.

August 12, 2009

It is important for us as Christians to correctly understand the concept of anointing as it appears throughout the Old and New Testaments because it is so central to a complete understanding of the good news of the gospel. We ought to be filled with great joy when we realize that all Christians are anointed by God.

I was taught that the anointing was a feeling, something “tangible” (the new buzz word that is used in the church nowadays). I was taught to pray for it, long for it, ask for more of it, wait for it to come down in the church service…seek it. I was taught that there are different levels of the anointing and that some people are more anointed than others because of their “deep” relationship with God. I was also taught that the anointing can be transferred from one person to another or that the Pastor was anointed and that anointing trickled down to the congregation (whoever made that up probably got it from Ps. 133:2 taking that scripture out of context). Well….according to scripture NONE of this is true and I will address all of these false teachings in this blog according to the Bible.

The church has taken the word and concept of anointing out of context and prostituted it, over spiritualized it and used it in an extra-biblical way. They changed the true Biblical use of the word into something God NEVER intended for it to be. It is time for us to stop being ignorant and come out of darkness.

I am so happy that I stop being religious (like many of you praise the Lord) and opened up my Bible one day (because I began to discover by simply reading the Bible daily, that 99% of what I was hearing in church did not line up with scripture) without any preconceived thoughts; letting go EVERYTHING that I learned and thought I knew in exchange for the truth. God is faithful and if we are sincere in wanting to know the truth He will not let us down. It is time to let the Anointed One teach us and stop reading all of those books from false prophets and pastors; turn off TBN and the God Network because many of them are wolves in sheep’s clothing spewing out false doctrine and theology that is full of witchcraft and error.

For a long time I wanted to study what the word “anoint, anointed and anointing” was used for in the Bible. I hear it in my church and it is often used as a force of God that makes people respond to it or Him in different ways such as crying, falling out on the floor, “shouting” or “dancing in the spirit” , barking like a dog…you get my drift. I am not trying to be funny or sarcastic. I actually seen these things happen and I also use to partake and practice some of these “manifestations” until God showed me the truth in His Word.

As you may know, the word anoint means in the Old Testament to smear (like smearing oil on something or someone); shield with oil (anoint); to smear (oil or ointments) on a person, or thing, it means to consecrate, a solemn setting apart to an office or service. To put oil on the head or body was a general custom in the east (for example, Ruth 3:3). To cease anointing was a sign of mourning (2 Samuel 14:2; Daniel 10:3). It was a token of respect to a guest, the omission of which was a failure in the matter of hospitality (see Luke 7:46). Metaphorically, to be anointed with oil expressed spiritual joy and refreshment (Psalms 23:5; 45:7; 92:10; Isaiah 61:3). The sacred use of oil was for anointing things or persons in consecrating them to God, as when Jacob anointed the pillar which he had used as a stone for resting his head (Genesis 28:18).

In the New Testament it is a general term used for an anointing of any kind, whether of physical refreshment after washing, e.g., in the N.T., Matt. 6:17; Luke 7:38, 46; John 11:2; 12:3; or of the sick, Mark 6:13; Jas. 5:14; or a dead body, Mark 16:1. The material used was either oil, or ointment, as in Luke 7:38, 46.

The word is actually alipho meaning “to anoint,” “to rub over,” “to pour an oil offering over,” though chréŒom is a more common rendering and carries more significance. Thus the use is for purely outward anointing in the NT, though this can have its own deeper meaning. 1. In Mt. 6:17 anointing is for bodily comfort with a suggestion of joy and festivity not normally associated with fasting. 2. In Mt. 26:7; Lk. 7:38 it is a mark of honor shown to a guest. The woman’s anointing of Jesus has the deeper prophetic sense of anointing for burial (cf. Mk. 16:1). 3. Anointing could also be used in cases of sickness, medicinally but with a magical nuance in view of the ascription of sickness to demonic influence. An instance of medical use is in Lk. 10:34. In Mk. 6:13 the disciples anointed the sick. In Jms. 5:14 the elders are to continue this ministry with prayer and the promise of healing and forgiveness.

For your own study I strongly suggest and challenge you all to read every verse in the Bible pertaining to the anointing of God (in their context) and try to prove the validity of the doctrines that is taught in the church today. What you will find is that the anointing is NOT a feeling (goose bumps, tingles) or a mystical power or force of God. There are no double portions or levels of it as Benny Hinn supposes and the only person who can give us the anointing is God and no one can transfer their anointing or the anointing onto us.

The church needs to stop using the word anointing to mean a “touch” from the Lord, a spiritual experience or any other un-Biblical meaning. There is only ONE meaning or concept that the Scriptures teaches us about the word anointing and that is in the definitions that I provided above (and you can find them in the dictionary and in the lexicons). NOWHERE in the Scriptures does it teach us that it is all of this extra-biblical nonsense that we have come to know and believe through tradition and a lack of understanding.

What is the anointing?

In the Old Testament it was the process by which something like oil was smeared on something or someone setting them apart for an office or service.

Exodus 29:7 Then shalt thou take the anointing oil, and pour it upon his head, and anoint him.

Exodus 29:36 And thou shalt offer every day a bullock for a sin offering for atonement: and thou shalt cleanse the altar, when thou hast made an atonement for it, and thou shalt anoint it, to sanctify it.

Exodus 30:26 And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and the ark of the testimony,

Exodus 30:30 And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office.

Leviticus 16:32 And the priest, whom he shall anoint, and whom he shall consecrate to minister in the priest’s office in his father’s stead, shall make the atonement, and shall put on the linen clothes, even the holy garments:

Deut. 28:40 Thou shalt have olive trees throughout all thy coasts, but thou shalt not anoint thyself with the oil; for thine olive shall cast his fruit.

Judges 9:8 The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.

1 Samuel 9:16 To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.

In the New Testament it is used the same way.

Matthew 6:17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;

Mark 14:8 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.

Mark 16:1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.

Luke 7:46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.

Rev. 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

Now to get to the anointing that God give us spiritually….

Scripture makes it clear that every Christian that has been filled with the Holy Ghost has been anointed with the HOLY GHOST. We are ANOINTED with the HOLY GHOST. God anoints with the HOLY GHOST. I can’t stress that enough. The anointing and the person of the Holy Ghost cannot be separated. We have been taught that the anointing is a separate power or force  that God bestows on people. False! There is a direct connection between the Holy Ghost and the anointing.  He is the One who enables all Christians to fulfill their ministries. God anointed Jesus Christ with the Holy Ghost…

“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good….” Acts 10:38

Also to prove they are inseparable with scripture:

Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

The Word of God is plain. The Holy Ghost and the anointing are inseparable. You cannot have one without the other.

“Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God” 2 Cor. 1:21

God has anointed Jesus (Acts 10:38) and God has anointed (“ed” past tense) us with the Holy Ghost too!

“But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you…. 1John 2:27

Notice the scripture teaches us that we have “RECEIVED of him”. That is past tense meaning that He has given it to us already when He filled us or baptized us with the  Holy Ghost!  We are ALL (the body of Christ) anointed and have already been anointed!  Since Scripture teaches us this, then why do we keep asking and praying for something He has already given us? Why are we praising so hard in the church service to try to “feel the anointing”? The anointing then is not a feeling or a force. It is simply the process by which God has smeared and poured out (like oil) His Spirit in us so that we can live unto Him as a royal priesthood.

NOWHERE in scripture does it teach us anything else but that! So praying to “feel his anointing”, for a double portion of it, for more of it and etc. is futile.

Now some will say…,”okay, if that is the case, then what is wrong with asking for more of the Holy Ghost or for more of God’ Spirit?

Scripture NEVER teaches us to “ask for more of His Spirit”. It teaches and commands us to be filled with it and to walk in it. Also we don’t read of anyone in the Bible (NT) praying for it or asking for it again after He has given it either.

Sometimes I think when we pray for “more of His spirit” it can mean that we are praying for another “touch or feeling” from Him, it could mean that we are praying for more of the ability to resist sin. In all actuality we should not pray for another “touch”, because our faith is not based on a “feeling”, but a KNOWING. We KNOW that we are in God and God is in us and that we are in right relationship with Him if we KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS (1 John 2:5) not if we feel His “presence.” We are constantly reminded to seek, pray, and get the KNOWLEDGE of God or to know the truth of God’s Word (2 Peter 1:5-10). NOWHERE in Scripture does it teach us to seek a feeling, ask for it or pray for it. Then where does it come from? Why is there such extreme emphasis placed on a topic which is NOT emphasized by any author in the Bible? Because of IGNORANCE and the flesh!

Now in reference to praying for more of God’s Spirit to stop sinning….God has given us everything we need for Him to transform us into His image according to his divine power through the KNOWLEDGE of Him who has called us to glory and virtue. (2 Peter 1:3..note that was not a quote).We just have to be obedient for the transformation to take place. Then and only then will we stop habitually sinning. We simply need to habitually be obedient. No amount of praying in the world will help us not to sin if we don’t put our faith into action and OBEY His Word. Faith without works is dead (James 2:20).

Therefore, there is no need to ask for the anointing in the church service (unless the congregation is praying for someone to receive the baptism of Holy Ghost), pray for His Spirit to be in the building. Why? Because we are suppose to already have Him inside us. Is there a separate Holy Ghost that we need to meet in church? According to Scripture No! Jesus Christ and His Spirit are one. He is not separate from His spirit.

Can you see the anointing or tell when the anointing is on someone (in the unbiblical way that we know it to be)?

The answer is simply NO!

In church we hear often, “I see the power of God all over you”, “I see the anointing of God all over this person or that person”, “that song is anointed”, “that dance is anointed”.

Oh really? Is it because they are crying, falling out on the floor, shaking, shouting so hard that they are out of breath when they are done? Or is it because they are worshiping the Lord in their own little way and the sincerity of their admiration for God is exemplified. I believe it is the latter. I say that I believe it is the latter because we are human and we have feelings. We know when someone is sad, happy and overwhelmed with joy. When someone is overwhelmed with joy and we love them we cannot help but to be joyous and happy with them, cry with them and etc. We are simply emotionally touched by their expressions. That does NOT mean that the “anointing” is on them in the unbiblical way that we define it to be. So, those who claim they can see the power of God on a person or the “anointing” just because they acted out of their flesh or emotions cannot and will not ever give a biblically correct definition (like the ones above) nor can they give a scripture for this false teaching, belief and doctrine, but they know it when they see or feel it. Strange isn’t it!

Now the Bible does tell us this…when the Holy Ghost first came to earth to indwell man it was both heard and seen.

“And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting”.

Note: it was a sound they heard not a feeling that was felt. Some have twisted this scripture as well claiming that the Holy Spirit feels like a wind or a strong wind that is why some topple to the floor in worship to the Lord. How ludicrous!

Continuing on: “And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:2-4).

So, the coming of the Holy Ghost was seen as a cloven tongue and heard like a rushing mighty wind. Scripture never teaches or speaks of the Holy Ghost coming in like manner after this initial outpouring. The Holy Ghost is NOT tongues either. This purpose of the gift (because it is literally a gift from God and it is also one of the spiritual gifts listed in 1 Cor. 12) of tongues is to communicate God’s message and is verified in the three passages in Acts where speaking in tongues is mentioned. In initial outpouring in Acts 2 – tongues-speaking was used as a missionary or evangelistic tool in fulfillment of Joe 2:28 (Thanx to Mills for the correct scripture). In Acts 2: 5-11 “Jews” from other countries who spoke many languages and dialects heard the Gospel in his own tongue (God was communicating a message to them). Peter went on to explain in verse 33 that what they were witnessing was Isaiah’s prophecy was being fulfilled.

The next act of God that happened pertaining to the Holy Ghost was when Peter and John prayed in jail (Acts 4:13-31) and the place was shaken where they were assembled together and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and spake the word with boldness. Now… this shaking was the shaking of the place they were in. Did it shake their bodies? Yes, but not in the way we “shake” as in manifesting (having a spiritual and mystical experience AKA feeling the presence of the Lord). So when someone tells you they can see the Holy Ghost on someone (usually because they are responding in a certain way), they do not know the truth.

Then later, after the initial outpouring Scripture teaches us that there is only one way others knew the Holy Ghost fell on someone and that is when they spoke in other tongues (or in another language). In Acts 10:46 The occasion was to communicate the Gospel, this time for the purpose of effecting the conversion of Cornelius and his house. This event cannot be totally disassociated from Pentecost because Peter, when relating this experience, said, “And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning” (Acts 11:15). Remember, scripture teaches us that tongues are a sign to them to them “that believe not” (1 Cor. 14:22). At the house of Cornelius tongues-speaking was a sign to Jews at a time when the Gospel was being communicated (Acts 10:44-46) so that they would know and believe that Gentiles can be saved to. Also in Acts 19:6 talks about speaking in tongues as evidence that the Holy Ghost was given. I will stop here on the subject of the Holy Ghost because I don’t want to turn this post into a post about speaking in tongues. I just want to point out that NO ONE can say that they can physically see  or discern that the Holy Ghost is “moving” on a person just because they see them responding in a emotional (crying or rejoicing)  or physical way (falling on the floor or dancing really hard to the beat of drums for example).

Are there different levels of anointing? Are there different kinds of anointing, like the breaker anointing, the prosperity anointing, Jeremiah anointing and so forth? Are there double, triple and quadruple anointing?

No! Now that we know what the word  anointing means, this question does not make any sense. But it sure makes sense to Benny Hinn and others on TBN and those who stand before us in the church service who take it out of context. Why? Because of a lack of understanding of the Word of God. So where does this stuff come from. One common Scripture taken out of context and misunderstood is 2 Kings 2:9,13,15. Preachers can preach us up and down about how Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit and use that as a justification of a “double anointing” equating the word “spirit” with anointing. These are 2 different Hebrew words. Understanding these scriptures in context we see that Elisha clearly asked for the mantle of authority that Elijah had, not more power or to have an immediate spiritual experience to gratify his flesh (what we were taught to do). The later is not presented in Scripture.

The mantle was his authority, clearly Elisha asked for more authority, the same as Elijah but double. Today the anointing means having more power or to have an immediate experience and this is not what is presented in Scripture.

So what did it mean when “Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me?” The phrase, “a double portion,” was applied to the first-born [De 21:17], and therefore Elisha’s request was, simply, to be heir to the prophetic office and gifts of his master. His ministry was double that of his predecessor Elijah. Both had unique miracles in their ministry but it was Elisha who raised someone from the dead.  The contrast of the two prophets and friends is that one was taken away, never seeing death. Elisha saw death yet gave life to another in his death. This miracle of Elisha’s bones is greater than any he did during his lifetime. It served as confirmation to his unfulfilled prophecies, as to that concerning the coming triumphs of Israel over Syria. This is what is meant by a double portion, there are no “double portions” today — we all share the same anointing equally as He is in us (1 John 2:27). Nowhere does the New testament teach such a thing.

Today we hear of all kinds of “different anointing’s,” or “fresh anointing’s.” Scripture teaches us that we are anointed with the Holy Ghost. Once we have it, we have it.  He (the Holy Ghost – Jesus Christ) doesn’t wear out and He does not go away then come back. God does not have to continuously baptize us with the Holy Ghost. Scripture tells us once we are baptized with it to be continually filled with the Spirit.

If one claims to have a different anointings, various anointings and more anointing than someone else, scripturally speaking they have a different Spirit. The truth of the matter is that the Bible does not indicate levels of anointing or different kinds of anointing. There is no such thing as some believers being anointed as priests and others are not, Scripture teaches us that we are ALL priests if we are in Christ. Using any other definition of the anointing or making it to mean “power”, we are reading in to the Bible what is not there. As believers we are either anointed — consecrated and set aside — or we are not. We can’t be more set aside or less set aside — we are either set aside with our names written in the Lamb’s Book of Life or we are not. We are aniointed with the Holy Ghost because that is what sets us apart from the unbeliever. Romans 8:9 teaches us if one does not have God’s Spirit He is none of His.

Lastly is the “anointing” transferable?

No! This false concept is probably taken from the practice of laying on of hands. In the Old Testament It was a symbolic act accompanying a prayer for a blessing, at other times it accompanied the word of prophecy being spoken or to affirm one into ministry. There is no Biblical basis for associating laying on of hands with a transmission of a mantle or transferring the anointing from one person to another.

It is found in the book of Acts as the practice to commission someone into ministry. The laying on of hands has become a Pentecostal tradition that is removed from its original meaning in Scripture. Touching people on the forehead, chest, back or stomach so they fall is considered a sign of the  “power of the Holy Ghost”. But none of this is found in the Acts of the Apostles or taught in the Epistles that instructed the church. It is mere foolishness. Paul laying hands on Timothy was not with the intention to pass on a gift or power or result in the abnormal behavior as we see today. It affirmed the gift they saw working in him which resulted in his appointment to be a pastor. Timothy came under attack as a young pastor and Paul had to reaffirm  him in 2 Timothy 1:6-7 “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” In other words he should not cave under pressure from others because of his youth, he was approved by God and through the apostles.

What does this have to do with what we see today? Next to nothing. What we see are people lined up as the anointer (a man/woman) comes to lay hands on people in line or sporadically wanders through the audience touching them to pass on what he has.

Yet Paul counseled Timothy in 1 Timothy 5:21-22 :“Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.” Timothy was to lay hands on people as approval for their call into ministry, but he must make sure.

NOWHERE in the New Testament do we read of the “anointing” being transmitted from one person to another person by the laying on of hands. It was never by or from, but through the laying on of hands (Acts 19). The apostles did not preach about receiving the “anointing” by their hands or ministry. We have already learned that God is the one who anoints us with the Holy Ghost to set us apart for Himself (not to make us shake, shout, dance or act like we are out of control because the Holy Ghost does not MAKE us react in any way. We chose to do so out of emotions or because of tradition). I can’t give it to you and you can’t give it to me. Many today are taught to get an impartation from the “anointed preacher”. There is no need to do this when Scripture states we all have the same standing before God; all believers have the same Holy Ghost and Christ as our mediator. We can all receive from Jesus, who is the one we should all be seeking. Going to a certain person or meeting to seek an anointing by impartation is unbiblical. No other person is to be our mediator to receive the Holy Spirit. Whenever men become mediators, Christ’s teachings diminish and men’s teachings increase. We are then giving them, not the Lord control over our lives. The only thing we are supposed to be transferring to each other is TEACHING.

The message of the Christian faith is the only thing we should be transmitting one to another. Paul instructs timothy “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2.2) True spiritual growth comes through the testing of our faith, by our consistent reading, understanding and applying the Word in our lives. NOT by an impartation or a experience at a special meeting. Those who promise a quick transformation from a touch or impartation, are not delivering the truth that is taught in the Bible.

Where does all of this false teaching come from? Why are so many believers deceived and confused?

The reason for this massive confusion is simply because:

1) Leaders have departed from the simple teaching of the Bible.

2) Believers don’t read and study their Bible.

3) Our leaders and (we ourselves) center our concepts around what we have heard other ministers(especialy if they are on TV or popular) say and we are not looking to the Bible as our source of material.

4) Leaders (and us) have based their widely varying beliefs on personal subjective experiences and not the solid foundation of the Bible.

Experiences do not and should not check the Scriptures. The Scriptures check our experiences because the Bible is the final authority.

Be blessed saints of God and study to know the truth so that you can grow into the Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ the way he intends for you to.

PDCM

The Correct way to live

This article is by Danny M. Edge (March 14, 2009)

THIS IS THE CORRECT WAY TO LIVE FOCUS: JESUS CHRIST (JOHN 14:6) OBJECTOF FAITH: THE CROSS OF CHRIST (ROM 6:3-5) POWER SOURSE: THE HOLY SPIRIT (ROM 8:1-2,11) RESULTS: VICTORY (ROM 6:14; GAL. 2:20) NOW LOOK AT THIS AS MOST CHRISTIANS ARE LIVING FOCUS: WORKS (ROMANS 4:2) OBJECT OF FAITH: PERFORMANCE (GAL. 2:21) POWER SOURCE: SELF (GAL. 5:2) RESULTS: FAILURE (GAL: 5:4)

You can not stop sinning by just deciding to or surrounding ypurself with good influences The Way to Live Victorious in Christ THIS IS ABOUT DAILY LIVING For all of my life, every sermon that I ever heard, ever lesson that I ever heard taught, and every counsel that I received always told me to stop sinning but never told me how to stop sinning. I was told to live holy but never how to live holy. Hundreds of times I wondered if I would ever make it. Hundreds of times I wondered if God was really with me. I knew that I loved God with all of my heart. I also knew something was missing. No one could ever help because as I would find out later they were all in the same boat with me. The Doctor was as sick as the patient. Today we are told to use this oil or that 5 step program or take communion daily or hundreds of other things to have fellowship with Christ and live in freedom from sin. I tried them and found out they all just bring on more bondage. I finally told God that I didn’t know the answer but I knew He did. The scripture says: John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. Then why was he not taking away my sin? John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. God, where is my more abundant life? Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. God, why am I not free from condemnation? Why does Satan continue to condemn me? Rom 8:2 for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. Lord, I love you as much as anyone does. Why am I not free from sin? The answer began to come to me as I listened to God thru His word and a couple of other people that he placed in my life. I want to tell you what God showed me so you can be as free in Christ as I now am. It is the simplest of all that God has to offer, actually all that he offers. It was so close that if it had been a snake it would have bit me. Let’s start with Paul’s letter to the Galatians since Paul is the one that the Holy Spirit revealed this great way of live to.

Please understand that I am not only talking about being saved put staying saved. I am talking about our daily living. Gal 1:3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Gal 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: Gal 1:5To whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Gal 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Gal 1:7Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. Gal 1:8But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. Gal 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. The way to live the Christian life is the way that you began it. Place your faith alone in what Jesus did on the cross. You did not save yourself and you cannot keep yourself saved. Paul pronounces a double cruse on any one that preaches any gospel but the death burial and resurrection of Christ. Our faith must be totally in the cross. Rom 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law (this is not just referring to the old testament law but anything that we do to try to live for God) there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law (anything that we do to try to live for God brings the knowledge of sin) is the knowledge of sin. (Many Christians confess their sins every day and believe that confession will take away sin. It only makes sin more prevalent in our life. How long have you been confessing that same sin and it still dominates you) Rom 3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; (the righteous of God is manifested in us without the law, without us do anything but putting our total faith in what Christ did.) Rom 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference (we are made righteous by faith in what Christ did, not in what we do.) James 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. (Abraham was made righteous simply by believing God and we are made righteous by putting our faith totally in what Christ did, nothing more and nothing less.)

God came to set us free from the control of sin. Are you free? John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. Some believe that we have to sin every day. Let me ask you a question. You don’t want to sin, Right? God does not want you to sin, Right? Satan is the only one then that wants you to sin, Right? God has all power, Right? Satan has no power, Right? Then explain to me how that you and God together cannot stop you from sinning? John 1:29 ……………..Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. Rom 6:10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Christ died for all our sins on the cross, pass present and future sins. Actually all of our sins were forgiven before we ever committed them. All we had to do is accept that forgiveness that Christ paid for. Rom 4:7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Rom 4:8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute (add his sin to him) sin. After we are saved our sins are no longer added to us as long as we put our faith only in the cross. This does not mean that we have a license to sin. On the contrary, we thru faith in Christ along gives us freedom not to sin. Not putting our faith in Christ is what gives us a license to sin. Putting faith in anything but Christ is why we sin now and can’t stop sinning. Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. Rom 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Rom 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? When we were living in sin we did good things but that did not make us righteous. We now live in Christ and a mistake does not make us unrighteous. As long as our faith is in Christ then all of our sin is forgiven before we ever commit them. You better hope they are because Christ only died once for sin for all people and that was 2000 years before you ever sinned. God is not so much concerned with sin as he is with the cause (Adam’s nature of rebellion) Gal 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. It is not about what we do but who we are. Php 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Rom 5:6 for when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. Rom 5:7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. Rom 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. Rom 5:11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. Rom 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: Rom 5:13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. (sin is not added unto us if our faith is in what Christ did and not in what we are doing) Rom 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. Rom 5:15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. Rom 5:16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. Rom 5:17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Rom 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. Rom 5:19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Rom 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: Rom 5:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. If our faith is placed in anything other than what Christ did then we are sinners and doomed to fail. If we put our faith in what Christ did (death, bury resurrection and all that includes) we will not live under sins dominion, sin is not accounted to us. Rom 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man (the desire to sin) is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. Rom 6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. Rom 6:8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live (in this present state) with him: Rom 6:9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. Rom 6:10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Rom 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Rom 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Romans chapter 7 tells of Paul’s struggle with sin after he was saved but before he received from God the revelation of God’s grace. God’s grace (favor) comes to us only thru faith in Christ and is applied to our life for living only by the Holy Spirit. We cannot survive without the grace of God. How did Paul get delivered from this sin struggle? The way that we all do if we do. Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? Rom 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. ………… That is why Paul could say in the very next verse: Rom 8:1 There is therefore(because our trust is in the cross) now no condemnation (satan can always condemn us if we trust in anything but the cross and satan cannot condemn us as long as we trust fully in the cross, friends, that is freedom and the rest of God and no one can take that away from you) to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. Rom 8:3For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: Rom 8:4That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Rom 8:5For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. Gal 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law (this is not just referring to the law of Moses but anything that we trust in other than the cross, some crawl in Mecca, some go to church on Saturday, some believe in martyrdom and the 70 virgins some confess to the priest some believe in their church or church attendance or what they wear or don’t wear or a thousand other things. This is all law and trust in any of it will only bring bondage and condemnation. Only putting our faith in Christ and him alone will save us, set us free and cause him to live in us and keep us saved.); ye are fallen from grace. Gal 5:11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased. Not having faith in Christ alone does not give offence of the cross. This means that we will have no power with God for service and all our preaching will be in vain. 1Co 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 1Co 1:24But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Heb 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: Heb 8:11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. Heb 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. Heb 8:13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away. Heb 9:6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. Heb 9:7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: Heb 9:8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: Heb 9:9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; Heb 9:10Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. Heb 9:11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle,(his body) not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Heb 9:12Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. Heb 9:13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: Heb 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Praise God! praise God! praise God!) Heb 9:23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. Heb 9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Heb 9:25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; Heb 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. Heb 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. What can our doing for God add to this? On the cross Christ said: it is finished. Anything that is added only destroys what is done- what else can be added to it. Our rules? No. Nothing can be added. John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. Heb 10:1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. Heb 10:2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. (you cannot be free from sin and rest in what Christ did as long as there is a conscience, remembrance of sin.) Heb 10:3 But in those sacrifices (trust in church attendance, confession etc.) there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. Heb 10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Heb 10:5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: Heb 10:6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Heb 10:7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Heb 10:8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Heb 10:9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. ( God took away the offering of anything for sin accept the cross of Christ. Full faith only in what Christ did and no trust in the flesh. ) Heb 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Heb 10:11 And every priest (you and me if we have faith in any thing other than Christ and the cross) standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: Heb 10:12 But this man, (Christ) after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down (his work is finished, his rest is complete and so is ours if we rest in him)on the right hand of God; Heb 10:13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. Heb 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Heb 10:15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, Heb 10:16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; Heb 10:17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Heb 10:18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.( so stop offering confession, good deeds etc for your sins and rest in Christ offering) Heb 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness(that we receive thru our faith in Christ) to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, Heb 10:20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; Heb 10:21 And having an high priest over the house of God; Heb 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

In service for the King,

Danny M. Edge

Biblical Significance of Colors

December 16,2008

 

This post is a response to a very good question about the Biblical significance of colors. When looking for the Biblical significance of colors the worst thing that we can do is over spiritualize it. There are some colors that the Bible describes which have a specific significance, but it is important to understand that all colors represent the glory of God.

 

Mostly all of the colors that I teach my team and use in ministry are from the earth and the mood or feeling that we naturally get from these colors. God created the earth and every color therein reflects His glory. For example:

 

Green  - Growth, life (Gen. 1:30)

Gold    -Divinity, kingship     

Silver   -Redemption (Gen. 23:15)

Red     -Blood            

White  -Purity                        

Blue     -Heavenly (reminds us of where God is and how large He is Ex 24:10), Hope; Healing (think of hospitals); Grace; Freedom; Holiness Num. 15:38-41

Purple, blue, red, gold, silver, brass =royalty  (Ex. 25:2-8)

 

Combination colors :

 

Covenant – Red, Yellow, Blue, Orange, Green, Purple (all the colors of the rainbow) Genesis 9:16

 

Tabernacle  -Gold, Bronze, Purple, White, Scarlet, Blue, Silver Exodus 25:1-8, 28:5-12

 

Warfare Black - Gold, Red (these are the colors that are usually exemplified in war)

 

There may be more, but these colors and meanings are not set in stone but in my opinion give a more vivid description of what is described in Scripture.

 

Naturally when we see or think about colors they kind of have their own personality – even though colors are not people, but I hope you understand what I am trying to say. For instance black depicts death, judgment, mourning, evil and etc. We know that gold is always associated with royalty. Colors like orange, amber (Ezek 8:2), gold, yellow and all of the beautiful colors are associated with the element of fire.

 

Another example is yellow. The sun is yellow and naturally when the sun is out we are happier (opposed to a dull, dark and raining day) therefore yellow can represent joy, happiness, and enlightenment. Silver can mean redemption. We have coins that are silver and we use them to redeem or purchase goods. A Biblical example of that is in Gen 23:15. They used coins of silver to purchase things and so do we. The key and important factor here is not to over spiritualize things. White naturally depicts purity, cleanliness, peace, serenity. Another example that I want to give you is the process of refining gold. Gold is refined by fire. Refining is a practice that must be done precisely and methodically to ensure the full recovery of gold, as well as an end product that is free of impurities, which can lead to quality problems. Spiritually we can say that God refines His children with trials and temptations (James 1:2) so that we can come out as pure gold, without blemish and pure. 

 

There are no Scriptures in the Bible that says, this color means this, but there are many examples of why certain materials were used and what colors were used (like in the tabernacle) that we can extrapolate meaning from. So my sister it is as simple as that. While it is good to have biblical examples, God has given us clear and evident examples already in nature and in the natural things that we do. So when someone asks you what a color means in addition to giving them specific scriptures like the few…and there are only but a few as stated above, take them to God’s creation. Show them the evident beauty and self explanatory meaning of colors that are already set and defined before them. I hope this helps.

Insidious Horde Of Perfidious

October 29, 2008

I H O P

Insidious Horde Of Perfidious

By Gregory P. Garwood

My ministry in compliance to 2 Corinthians 11:12 – 15

And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us [Foundational Apostles] in the things they boast about. 13 for such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

Gregory P. Garwood

Restored (False) apostles “commission” Fraud Todd Bentley. The Truth is Finally Shining Through!

Restored (False) apostles “commission” Fraud Todd Bentley.
The Truth is finally shining through.

Ananias and Ananias prove these men – False prophets

by Gregory P. Garwood

My ministry in compliance with 2 Corinthians 11:12 – 15
“12And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us [ The Foundational Apostles ] in the things they boast about. 13For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.”

 

I write this article with deep trepidation. After two years of intense study and research, I am now beginning to see and understand the aberration, danger and deceit in which I served for nearly 34 years. Fortunately, I was spared by the grace of God as He removed me from among what I thought were trusted friends and confidants. Today, a ray of freedom, health and hope is beginning to dawn in my life as I traverse the foul, slippery, dark and viper infested path out of the rancid cave known as the Third Wave / New apostolic reformation and Word / Faith churches.