THE PURPOSE OF THE ANOINTING

Introduction:

(Luke 24:49 KJV) "And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high."

(Acts 1:4 KJV) "And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me."(Acts 1:5 KJV) "For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence."(Acts 1:8 KJV) "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

Prayer..

As we study, again ask Jesus to manifest Himself (John 14:21) and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you as you study the word. Yield to the Holy Ghost,and the meeting may not go as you planned!

The issue of "power".

We hear a lot about "power" and it is appropriate to expound its biblical meaning. Initially, one might assume that it would mean that a believer could, of his own volition, go into a hospital and heal everyone, or that everyone you decide to  pray for would fall under the power of God. dúnamis (1410) references the enabling, making one capable, it stresses the ability to do things , not the actual accomplishment. (Zodhiates)

First of all, Jesus said that He only did what the Father told Him to do.

(John 5:30 KJV) "I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me."

The Father initiates the work, communicates it to us by the Holy Spirit that dwells in us, we then act as we hear the Father's will by  praying in faith using Jesus's name as the Lord taught us, and the Holy Spirit accomplishes the miracle. We can of our own self do nothing, the enabling or "power" is for the accomplishment of the Father's will, not our own. Therefore, the "powerful" Christians are those that are enabled to hear the father who speaks to us through the Holy Ghost and then do His will.

Power by knowing the Father's will.

God has revealed himself through His word. His will  never conflicts with His word. The Holy Spirit , sometimes called the "Revealer",   helps us understand His word. John 16:13  He gives us a hunger for the word. Acts 2:42 He leads us by His Spirit. Rom 8:14

After reading the above texts, discuss Eph.1:17-19.

            Question:  How does God reveal His will to you?

Power by giving spiritual gifts.

Read 1 Cor 12:1-11 and discuss.

This epistle was written to Spirit baptized Christians. The giftings enabled the believers to be ministers of God's love. Wisdom, words of knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophetic insight, discernment, tongues and the interpretation all are powerful equipping of the saints.

Power through an more effective prayer life.

Read 1 Cor 14:13-15 The gifts are designed to build up the church. Now God says we can pray that we can interpret the message of tongues.

Rom 8:26-27 Discuss: The Spirit knows the mind of God and intercedes for us as we pray in tongues..Now that's power.

Jude 20 Discuss. You are built up, edified,  by praying in your prayer language. Your prayers may be "dry" at first , but then as you continue to pray in the holy Ghost you feel as if you are moving into the Holy of Holies and God is giving you the things to pray for.

Power as the Spirit separates us from sin.

John 16:7,8  Discuss. Sin separates us from God and the blessings of God. The Holy Spirit is the conscience that tells us when we have sinned, and when there is   repentance , restoration is made.

Power with the overflowing fullness of the Spirit.

Eph. 3: 14-20 [Read in the amplified bible if you have one] God is able to do far   above all that we dare ask.

John 7:37-39 Our of us will bubble "rivers" of living water.

Acts 2: 42  A deepened reverence for God.

Eph 1:13,14 A foretaste of our inheritance.