The Holy Spirit, the Power of God, and the Anointing
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him (Acts 10:38 KJV)
The deeper our understanding of the Holy Spirit and His operation in our lives, the more we can cooperate with Him, thus experiencing greater dimensions of God’s glory. This devotional will unpack the nuanced relationship between the Holy Spirit, God’s power, and the anointing—three distinct yet intertwined concepts.
In Acts 10:38, we see God anointing Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power. Let’s begin by exploring ‘power.’ At its core, God’s power is a spiritual virtue, a non-living entity in the spiritual realm akin to a tangible spiritual substance. It can even transfer through inanimate objects, like a piece of cloth (Acts 19:12).
Although spiritual power is a non-living thing at its core, it always has its source from a spiritual being. Hence, power emanates from persons. Even demonic power can be traced to a demon, a living spiritual being. In contrast, God’s power comes from the Person of the Holy Spirit; the Spirit indeed is the power of God. This close relationship explains why scriptures often use the terms power and Holy Spirit together and sometimes interchangeably.
In contrast, the ‘anointing’ is distinct. It is always tied to a creature, in our context, God’s people. It is the Person or/and the power of the Holy Spirit in us, making us be or do things beyond human capacity. For instance, God’s Spirit in you has anointed you to be a child of God( 2 Corinthians 1:21, Romans 8:9-11). Likewise, the ability to prophesy is the anointing at work within us.
Like Jesus, you have received an anointing—infused with the Holy Spirit and power. Embrace this and shine brightly!
Meditate
Reflect on the tangible outcomes of Jesus’ anointing in Acts 10:38.
Apply the Word
You are anointed—to be and to serve! God has consecrated you as a Christian and for greater works. Go about and do good, healing all oppressed by the devil because God is with you!
Pray
Invite the Spirit to guide us in collaborating more effectively with Him.
Recommended
- What is the Anointing?
- Three Spheres of the Operation of God’s Power in Your Life
- What Happens When the Holy Spirit Falls on People
- The Holy Spirit at the New Birth and Post-Conversion Experience
- What is the Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit?
- View All Deshen Daily Devotionals
Free Mini E-book: From Spiritual Dryness to Flourishing
Lovely!
Can the power of the holy spirit be in operation separate from the holy spirit itself?
Helle Stephen,
That is a fascinating and important question. Yes, the power of the Holy Spirit can be separate from the person of the Holy Spirit(presence). However, spiritual power always has a source, so the power of the Spirit always comes from the person of the Holy Spirit. For example in Acts 19 above, it was not the person of the Holy Spirit that was in the hankerchiefs, but His power. But that power could be traced back to the person of the Spirit that was dwelling in Paul. Power left Paul unto the handkerchief and was carried somewhere. The same is true about spiritual power from demons. Demonic power can operate somewhere without the demon being present in person. That is why someone might be possessed when demons live in them or be oppressed by demonic power without demons actually living in them(read more here).
So yes, the power of the Holy Spirit always comes from the Spirit, but it can operate without he actual presence of the Holy Spirit. It is a fascinating spiritual concept. I know it can be blurry, so please feel free to ask any questions that remain or areas you still need clarification. Blessings.
So this means that I am anointing since I have the Holy Spirit.
Yes! Receiving the Spirit by default is the first part of the anointing we have. This is same for all Christians. Then there is an anointing for specific function different for each one of us depending on what God wants us to do.
But first, it is important to know as a believer that you have the Spirit and it is the Spirit that even makes you a child of God! That is a family anointing!!
“But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.”
1 John 2:20 ESV
Hi Big Bro, pls this was a very interesting and touching devotional i had, but pls could you highlight more on the point where ‘cultivating anointing through impartation, the word and prayer’. I really didn’t understand especially the word impartation. Thanks and God bless you
Glad to see this had been a blessing to you. Indeed, understanding this is so important. The power of God can be cultivated. It can grow.
The three key means are
1. The Word. It will build up power and the anointing. Many believers don’t know this.
2. Prayer. Obvious to many.
3. Impartation is a special spiritual principle where power can be transmitted from one person to another. Often this is by laying of hands. This is what happens when an anointed man or woman of God lays hands on you.
You can grow in the anointing by any or best all of these three principles operating.
Thank you Pastor
You are welcome Emmanuel.