1. Do you agree that the Old Testament anointing confers a specific position in the theocracy of Yahweh and a blessing conferring the ability to function before Him in that position? Is this definition of an “anointing” restricted to the Old Testament?
Answer: Unanimously, Yes.
2. Review these Scriptures (2 Cor., 1:21, 22; 1 John 2:21-27). Distinguish between leaders (i.e. kings, prophets, and priests) in the Old Testament theocracy and the office of pastor in the New Testament economy? Who does the “anointed one” represent in the Old Testament? What is the difference between the “anointing” of the Old Testament and the New Testament verses relating to an “anointing”?
Answer Comments:
· OT – dwelt upon; NT – dwelt. OT of a particular person for a particular situation; NT – Eph. 4:30 – everyone.
· OT – limited to temporal; was a position and enablement; NT are indwelt permanently (Eph. 1:30; 4:30; Rom. 11:29). All NT believers have an unction. NT – permanent dwelling.
· OT – prophet was directly under God ; a vessel of new rev.; a NT PT preaches is under a shepherd of JC and guides flock with a servant’s attitude (Phil. 2:2-8); “Anointed one” – J.C.; difference – never leds us – Eph. 1:13; 4:30; we are a temple (1 Cor. 6:19) 2 Cor. 1:21-22; Rev. 1:6; Col. 2:7; 3:11.
· Defined “anointing” as presence of God which came upon OT leaders for a specific temporary purpose; NT pastor has indwelling presence of HS as every believer. “Anointed One” – Messiah; difference – temporary – OT; NT – indicates anointing is presence of HS; teacher is HS – 1 Jn. 2:27; we partake in God’s nature; it humbles us (Gal. 5:24-25).
· OT economy – king was a representative of Christ, anointed above the people and accountable to God; “Anointed one” – Heb. 1:1-3 – Christ. Difference – NT – every believer has an anointing; that represents the HS sealing and filling them. NT – Jn 15:26, 16:13 – presence of Christ manifested by the HS. We enter into this through faith.
· Definition of “anointing” – abiding presence of Jesus Christ in every born-again believer through the indwelling believer which manifests itself only as one trusts Christ in humility. OT – external; NT – permanent; manifests itself as we trust in Jesus Christ’s humility. May not manifest it because of old sin nature.
· OT leaders were appointed by God; Holy Spirit came with the office and could be removed; NT – HS comes with salvation and is permanent; anointed is imparted in the form of a gift.
· Difference – anointing was for a specific purpose; NT – indwelling with a broader purpose and brings out different functions for the gifts of the Holy Spirit and different positions.
3. Do you agree that everyone in the New Testament has an anointing (i.e., the presence of God through the Holy Spirit) which manifests itself in various gifts?
Answer Comments:
· Yes. One qualification – as the Spirit enables. No residential gift, but only as the Spirit enables (1 Cor. 12:11).
What does the phrase “touching the ark” refer to in II Sam. 6:6-7? What was the consequence of “touching the ark”? God has revealed in the New Testament that the “ark of God” represents the Mercy Seat and therefore Christ (Rom. 3:25, 1 John 2:2; 4:10; Heb. 9:1-14). Can we therefore agree that this principle cannot be applied to the pastor? If not, why and does the same judgment apply; support with Scripture? Does behavior such as rebellion, disagreement, or challenge to a pastor equal “touching the ark”?
Answer Comments:
- The ark = mercy seat of Christ; touching the ark does not mean a particular person because it represents the mercy seat of Christ.
- 2 Sam. – ark stood for presence of God. This cannot be applied to the pastor.
- Touching ark was a violation of the Word. It represents the mercy seat.
- Touching ark refers to Uzza who died.
- 2 Chron. 15:15 – Uzza was not a Levite. They disobeyed the commandment of God. Ark represented that the way was not clear into the presence of God and it was wrong to touch.
- It was done in ignorance – familiarity, lack of reverence; consequence – death. Not applicable to NT.
- Sinful man touched holiness of God under Old Testament dispensation. Death.
- Touching ark is presence of God. 2 Sam – familiarity. Work of God in every believer (1 Cor.2:14-15). Consequences – Rom. 7:1 – OT-death; NT – grieving and quenching Holy Spirit (James 4:1-6).
SECOND PART OF QUESTION.
- No. NT principle – 1 Tim. 5:19 – specifics on how to address a Pastor.
- No. Rebellion might equivocate touching the ark.
- No. Yes to 3rd part of question.
- Not applicable. No.
- No one dies on the spot. Behavior – no.
- Yes. Ark was perfect and holy. Principle cannot be applied to imperfect people. Behavior – NO.
- Yes. Interpretation of the verse – not applied to Pastor. 1 Cor. 11: - chastisement – weak, sick because there was irreverence towards the body of Christ. Not exclusive to the Pastor because there was a violation of the Word of God and there was chastisement to people who despised the body. (Violating principles of the church.)
4. Based on the discussion above, should we use care in the use of these terms?
Answer: Unanimously, Yes.
Comments:
- It is important because we have had for years a certain orientation about this teaching. Ps. 105:15 – touch not Mine anointed. Hebrew – it is similar to the touching of the ark; yes, it is the mercy seat but it represents the government and manifestation of Christ on the earth. If there is rebellion, Annanias and Sapphira did drop dead in the NT. They lied against the HS but it was to the apostles regarding a specific set of circumstances. They lied against HS + apostles. We are the manifestation of God on the earth and there is something sacred about us. This could be abused, but a man of God who is resisted by evil people that they suffer judgment and it could be severe.
- Do I know who has been disciplined unto death? No. People are under different stages of discipline. You can’t take a Pastor and put him on the level of an Old Testament king. It is improper theology. If one person is governing all things, then are we saying if touching that person, then we have touched the ark? HS institutes policy of chastisement.
- Principle: Beware of rebelling against God which applies to the presence of God in individual believers because the Spirit dwells in them. We also have a reverence toward the work of Christ.
- We can’t use Acts 5 to say someone who goes against the Pastor might be taken home. A Pastor challenged by someone – it cannot cause the death of a believer.
- 3 offices – king, priest, and prophet in OT. Was Noah anointed when he built the ark? Was Abraham anointed when he left home? Was Joshua anointed when he led people into promised land? Was Rebecca anointed when she drew water? Were men anointed when the built the Tabernacle? Ps. 147 – was there an anointing on common people who worshipped Him and entered His courts with thanksgiving?
- I believe anointing in OT is the same water that is poured out on people in the NT. Ps. 105:15. Therefore, when Uzza touched the ark and died, it can be abuse, but there should be great respect placed on the Body of Christ. There can be a judgment upon people who touch the ark (manifestation of God – attitude, words, energized attack of evil, etc.). Do not deny the reality of who we are as pastors.
- In OT presence of God was in the Tabernacle. Exo. 32: - God filled people with the Holy Spirit for a specific task. In NT, Paul was going to reveal this “mystery” (Eph. 6:19; Col. 1;26-27) – mystery that had been hid from the ages. Principle is the same but it was revealed and manifested progressively. That does not take away from sacredness of believer.
- OT – for a specific purpose; NT – I have that anointing now living within me. I have a deposit, seal in my spirit and I now participate in the “fusos” (lineage) or nature of God in 2 Pet. 1:4. No OT believer had that, but God protected them so they could walk according to His direction. We now have a different manifestation of the presence of God in the NT. Purpose is to reveal the humble Servant.
- 1 Cor. 2:2 – Know no man after the flesh.
- All believers have an anointing.
- It is not the man but the life of Christ manifested as he abides in Him.
- Are there no differences between us? The Cross of Calvary is a great equalizer. In Table of Organization we have leadership, but as far as our position in Christ, we are equals.
- Regarding touching the ark, there is an agreement that there is an OT principle that if you touch the ark, you die. NT also – principle of people being chastised by God even to sin unto physical death. KEY – no man has the right to pronounce that judgment on another messenger. No one has the right to evaluate someone’s death and say “they came against me and they died.” Only God has that right. We have no right to play God or the Holy Spirit even though the principles are true. We cannot evaluate a man’s heart.
- Doctrine – what distinguishes GGWO is the Finished Work that clearly defines who we are.
- We have been taught that the office of a Pastor is worthy of double honor. We desire to preserve it and shut the door on any extreme interpretation of that honor that would allow abuse of that honor.
- The term “anointing” has developed in GGWO a certain way. It expresses the manifestation of the Holy Spirit; abiding in God and experiencing the relationship personally and expressing it to others through the Spirit.
- Typology is a proper hermeneutic, but we can abuse typology. Ark of the covenant is a symbol for us to learn by. It is always in the presence of God. So, I take an OT ark that was under the law and it brings death. In the NT to say that is almost heresy because the Mercy Seat has been covered by the Blood of Christ. God only looks at us from above the Mercy seat. If we take the OT typology and carry it into the NT, we miss the true application. Be precise, contextual.
