Bible Question:

What is the fresh anointing or new anointing from the Holy Spirit?

Bible Answer:

Some teach that Christians need a new anointing or fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit. Others teach that Christians need a new or fresh anointing repeatedly, but where does Scripture teach about this anointing? In the following discussion you will discover what Scripture teaches about the ministry of the Spirit in the life of a Christian.

What is the fresh or new anointing from the Holy Spirit?

Baptism of The Holy Spirit

The Scriptures have much to say about the anointing and anointing by the Holy Spirit. Sometimes Scripture refers to other activities of the Spirit as the baptism of the Spirit, being sealed by the Spirit, living in the Spirit, being filled with the Spirit and walking in the Spirit. Each one of these activities is unique. Therefore, it is not clear if each activity can be referred to as an anointing of the Spirit since Scripture never refers to them as an anointing.

1 Corinthians 12:12-13 describes the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The baptism of the Spirit occurs at the moment of saving faith, that is, when a person becomes a believer in Christ, has his or her sins forgiven, and is headed for heaven.

For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:13-14 (NASB)

Sealing of The Holy Spirit

The sealing of the Spirit also occurs at the moment of saving faith and it is God’s pledge or promise that every Christian will go to heaven (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30; 2 Timothy 2:19).

. . . having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:13-14 (NASB)

Spirit Dwells In Every Christian

At the moment of salvation the Holy Spirit seals every believer and begins to live within every believer (Romans 8:9-11; Galatians 5:25). Romans 8:9-11 teaches that the Holy Spirit dwells within every believer.

However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:9-11 (NASB)

We are also told that the indwelling Spirit gives life to each believer. Notice that we are told if the Spirit is not in a person, they are not a believer or Christian. Romans 8:13-14 says that the proof a person is led by the Spirit is that they are having victory over sin.

1 Corinthians 3:16 and 6:19 declare that a believer is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Since 1 John is written to believers (1 John 1:1-3),  it becomes obvious that 1 John 2:20, 27 is declaring every believer is anointed by the Spirit. He is living within. That is, the Holy Spirit lives or dwells within! In summary, every believer is miraculously and permanently indwelt or anointed by the Holy Spirit. If a person is not indwelt by the Spirit, then that person is not a believer.

Filling and Walking In The Holy Spirit

Since a person is 1) placed into the body of Christ by spiritual immersion (baptism of the Spirit), 2) sealed, 3) begins to live by the Spirit and 4) the Spirit starts living or dwelling within every believer at the moment of salvation, is there a need for something more? The answer is yes! Every believer needs to be repeatedly filled with or controlled by the Spirit moment-by-moment. The act of being filled with the Spirit moment-by-moment is called walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-23).

It Is God's Will Every Believer Be Filled With The Spirit

Ephesians 5:17-18 reveals that it is God’s will that every believer is filled with the Spirit.

So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit . . . Ephesians 5:17-18 (NASB)

Since this is a command, it reveals that this does not occur automatically in the life of a believer. A believer is filled when he or she has repented of their sins, confessed their sins, asked the Spirit to take control of their lives and spend time in the Word of God. For more information about this very important will of God, read “How To Be Filled With The Spirit.”

Believers are also commanded to walk in the Spirit in Galatians 5:16-23. The Greek word for “walk” is peripateo. This is also a command for every believer. Walking in the Spirit is the repeated act of being filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit tells us in verses 17-21 that if we are walking in the Spirit, we will not be constantly sinning. We will have victory over sin! This means that when a believer sins, the believer must repent and confess his or her sins and ask the Spirit to take control again. As a believer faithfully walks in the Spirit, they will experience the blessing promised in verse 22-23. It is important to note that the evidence cited here of walking in the Spirit or constantly being filled is not speaking in tongues or performing miracles. Verses 22-23 describes what will happen,

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:22-24 (NASB)

Scripture does not call this a new anointing or a fresh anointing. It is simply called being filled with the Spirit or walking in the Spirit.

Conclusion:

Some false teachers have said that we need a “new and fresh anointing” of the Spirit in order to break the bondages over sin and Satan. They claim that believers need the Holy Spirit to come upon them and anoint them. But such teaching ignores the truth that the Holy Spirit already dwells within every believer. If the Spirit is not dwelling within a person, then that individual is not a Christian and is going to hell.

Those believers who are not walking in the Spirit will experience defeat and misery.  Again, the reader is encouraged to read “How To Be Filled With The Spirit.” The key to victory over Satan is to use the Armor of God described in Ephesians 6:11-17.

Sadly, one false teacher claims that worshiping God results in the anointing. That teaching will only result in discouragement and disillusionment. Instead, believers should strive to walk in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit already lives within every true Christian.

Suggested Links:

Did the Holy Spirit come upon or fill the Old Testament saints?
Is anointing oil symbolic of the Holy Spirit?
Should all Christians experience the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
How To Be Filled With The Spirit
Be Filled With The Spirit, part 3
Armor of God, part 1
Armor of God, part 2