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Introduction: It would be difficult to find a charismatic/evangelical service/program/tract/book that is not liberally sprinkled with the word 'Anointed, which has become arguably the most overused, overworked, misunderstood, misinterpreted term in the Pentecostal and Charismatic arenas. At various times they either claim to be 'under' the Anointing, can 'feel' the anointing come over them, 'feel' the anointing in the room, and often issues stern warnings to their critics to “touch not the Lord’s anointed.” Many charismatics describe this 'Anointing' as closely akin to feeling heat or electricity. Virtually all the references to the anointing place it in the category of a commodity... Something that not all Christians possess and that the ministers can bestow on others (Usually after money has changed hands).
However there is no precise definition as to what this ‘Anointing’ is and no uniformity of belief as to how it can be acquired or imparted. According to many evangelicals anything can be 'Anointed', including services, speakers, preachers, music, prayer cloths, swords, web sites, oil, cornmeal, red thread, and Christmas stars.
Benny Hinn, taking this one step further, claims to be able to throw or blow the anointing at people, who then proceed to physically fall over. He tells macabre tales of visiting the graves of the late ‘faith healers’ Kathryn Kuhlman and Aimee Semple McPherson, where he is said to have felt “terrific” and “incredible” anointings. In fact Benny Hinn has more versions of anointings than Baskin-Robbins has ice cream.
Since this word is used so liberally today, perhaps it is a good idea to take an in-depth look at what the word means according to Scripture, who the anointed ones in the Bible were and how it is used in both Old and New Testaments and then see if many modern day Charismatics have built their concepts on a Scriptural foundation or some combination of what they have heard others say and pure subjective experience.
Signs Of The Times?
Consider This.. In Matthew 24, on the Mount Of Olives, the disciples came to the Lord privately saying “Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” Jesus’ first words in answer to them were “Take heed that no man lead you astray” (v.4) and then He went on to say “ For many shall come in my name, saying, I am the Christ; and shall lead many astray”. (Emphasis added)
‘Christ’ means Anointed.. it is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word rendered “Messiah”
In other words Jesus answered a direct question about what signs would signify the end of the world with a warning that ‘Many would come in His name claiming they were ‘anointed’.
INDEX
The Anointing Defined
If you check every single Biblical reference to the Anointing you should notice that .. There is not ONE SINGLE reference to the anointing being a supernatural power given to human by which they are able to perform miracles... There is not ONE SINGLE reference to anyone being able to transmit the anointing by any means, including the laying on of hands... There is not ONE SINGLE reference to getting, keeping, increasing, or losing the anointing.
Touch Not The Lord’s Anointed
What does the Bible mean when it says not to touch God’s anointed?
Whom Do They Think They Are Kidding?
There is a international anthem among an elite class of Charismatic celebrities today. It’s a stern warning repeatedly directed at their critics with a residual effect upon their devotees. It’s the frequent and methodical strategy that they recite against anyone who opposes their unscriptural doctrine and practice. It’s a charge of “blasphemy of the Holy Spirit” and “touch not the Lord’s anointed.”
The Untouchables
How are we to know who not to "touch"; that is, who God's anointed and prophets are? Because they and their followers say they are? On such a basis we would have to accept the claims of Sun Myung Moon, Elizabeth Clare Prophet, and virtually all cult leaders to be prophets. Because they reputedly perform miracles? The Antichrist and False Prophet themselves will possess that credential
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Index To Section 10B 
