I feel that it's important that I introduce you to the anointing of the Holy Spirit at this time. I sincerely respect the fact that you are a New Believer and as such everything about your New Life in Christ is new. I want to be careful not overwhelm you or get too theological and I think the best place to start is with the life of our Lord Jesus Christ. I'll start by asking a very simple question with a very obvious answer. When did Jesus become God? Clearly He was God at birth. The very moment Jesus was birthed into the physical world he was God in the flesh, God in human form. We know this from the statement declared in Lk 2:11 - The Savior-yes, the Messiah, the Lord-has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! To very technical the moment Jesus was conceived in Mary's womb by the power of the Holy Spirit God's life started to take on human form.
I find it very helpful to understand that Jesus was God at birth. He didn't become God later on in life. Right from conception He was God in human flesh. As this truth becomes settled in your heart then the Holy Spirit's anointing for service will not become a salvation issue as some would like to suggest. Jesus as the Son of God, God in human form experienced the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Before Jesus started His public ministry He received the Holy Spirit baptism. Before Jesus preached His first sermon or healed the first sick person He experienced the Holy Spirit coming upon Him. This happened, when He was being, baptized in water by the prophet John. Mark 1:9-11 - One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized Him in the Jordan River. 10 As Jesus came up out of the water, He saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on Him like a dove. 11 And a voice from heaven said, "You are My dearly loved Son, and You bring Me great joy."
What happened immediately following Jesus' Holy Spirit experience is very significant! Mark 1:12,13 - The Spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness, 13 where He was tempted by Satan for forty days. He was out among the wild animals, and angels took care of Him. Before Jesus entered into direct confrontational warfare with the devil He received the Holy Spirit's anointing upon Him. Remember now Jesus was already God fully God in a human form, God at birth yet He still experienced this Holy Spirit anointing. I think this way, "If Jesus needed and experienced the Holy Spirit coming upon Him how much more we must.
Prior to the disciples going into all the world to preach the Gospel Jesus told them to wait unto they received the special Holy Spirit power from heaven.
Luke 24:47-49 It was also written that this message would be
proclaimed in the authority of His name to all the nations, beginning
in Jerusalem: 'There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.' 48
You are witnesses of all these things. 49 "And now I will send the
Holy Spirit, just as My Father promised. But stay here in the
city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from
heaven."
It wasn't until after the disciples had received the Holy Spirit baptism that they started their public ministry. This is all recorded in Acts chapter two. This fulfills the message the prophet John gave concerning Jesus in Luke 3:16 - John answered their questions by saying, "I baptize you with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am-so much greater that I'm not even worthy to be His slave and untie the straps of His sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
Jesus received this experience and the early disciples received it I want to encourage you to seek it as well. I say this with caution because the seeking of this experience became a bit of a stumbling block to me as a New Believer. After having have seriously called out to God for this experience and not receiving it I became quite discouraged and challenged because I had starting thinking that there was someone wrong with my relationship with God and that is way I wasn't "getting it". Be careful in this. We are encouraged to ask the Lord for this gift and as with all gifts from the Lord we don't earn them. Relationship with God is not based on legalism (works and reward) but rather grace and faith. Personally I received the Holy Spirit anointing when I stopped seeking the baptism and sought only the Baptiser. It was when I was lost in praise and worship to the Lord and not even conscious of "my seeking" that the Lord chose to baptize me with His Holy Spirit. I hope this will encourage you. There is a special anointing to receive from Jesus AFTER you are a Born Again Believer. Jesus received it and He was God in human form. The early disciples of Jesus received in on the day of Pentecost and you will receive it as well. Act 2:38,39 - Peter replied, "Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 This promise is to you, and to your children, and even to the Gentiles-all who have been called by the Lord our God." Ask and you will receive.
Luke 11:10-13 - For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks,
finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 "You
fathers-if your children ask [for bread, do you give them a stone? Or if they
ask] for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? 12 Or if they ask for an
egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! 13 So if you sinful people
know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your
heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him."
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