looking for a good definition of "anointed"

by Shawn10538 11 Replies latest watchtower bible

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  Shawn10538

  Looking for both a Biblical usage and a WT definition of term. Thanks in advance!
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  Arthur

  As far as Biblical usage is concerned, one of the best passages that describes Christian annointing is Romans chapter 8. In short, it describes those led by the "flesh" versus those "led by the Spirit." Another passage that discusses "annointing" is 1 John chapter 2, where it states that those with annointing would not need a "teacher".
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  greendawn

  The JW definition is vague and incomplete, an anointed person is one that strongly feels s/he has a heavenly calling but they don't say why would one person be chosen and others not. If there are any qualities one must have or conditions to fulfill so the whole issue is left vague and incomprehensible.
  
  Biblically there are not two classes of Christians in good standing but only one: everyone is anointed and heaven bound. There are only those that honour and those that don't honour their calling.
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  Shawn10538

  Any other takers out there? I'm looking for more of an official WT definition, one with references would be good.
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  changeling

  spirit begotten

  chosen

  changeling
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  JCanon

  The JW definition is vague and incomplete, an anointed person is one that strongly feels s/he has a heavenly calling but they don't say why would one person be chosen and others not. If there are any qualities one must have or conditions to fulfill so the whole issue is left vague and incomprehensible.
  
  Biblically there are not two classes of Christians in good standing but only one: everyone is anointed and heaven bound. There are only those that honour and those that don't honour their calling.

  I agree partially with this. I'm of the "anointed" in the cultural setting of JWs. For JWs when you say "anointed" it is a reference to the two classes they divide themselves up into, which is the heavenly class and the earthly class. Generally speaking, all the Bible Students were of the "anointed" at first. All expected to go to heaven. Then approaching 1935, some of those joining said they didn't feel like they were of the heavenly class. That became so apparent that the witnesses then officially recognized this secondary class as the earthly class. Along with this presumption was that the number for the 144,000 had been basically complete and no one became of the "anointed" again unless some anointed one died unfaithfully and left an open position. They further suggested that no young person would likely fill in that place, but someone older and with long service. This division of this organization into two classes where the first group in the organization thought they would get more than those coming later is Biblical. The parable of the vineyard workers for 11 hours divides the first-hour workers who knew ahead of time they would get a "penny" for their work from the workers who came later, beginning with the third-hour workers who were not told what they would get but simply would expect something less. In the Bible an 'hour" is seven years because a half hour is 42 months (3.5 years). So this work of the vineyard workers would last 77 years, starting from 1914. The presence of the 3rd hour workers should have become apparent after 21 years. 21 plus 1914 is 1935. BUT... turns out, if any of the "other sheep" were truly following scripture, they would have began to feel that they too were of the anointed, and many did! That would have happened starting after 1991, the end of the 11 hours of work. But the society would have told them that it is not likely they were of the anointed even if they felt strongly about it. But that contradicts scripture because the Bible says ALL the workers get the penny. The penny represents heavenly life. In the parable the 11th hour workers get the penny and so do all the other workers on back to the 1st-hour workers. So I agree with greendawn in principle that indeed, in the end, there's just one opportunity to be in the heavenly group offered to basically everyone, or at least everyone who was a witness. If you understood this and took advantage of it, then you would have become one of the "anointed" after 1991 as I did. Now the anointed know who they are. It's just something that holy spirits tells them. They will all tell you this. But one thing that had been pretty common knowledge that they mentioned as a common experience, is that the Bible seems different to them and when they read it, it seemed as though it was speaking directly to them. I experienced the same thing. The Scriptures seem more directly written to you. So that was my experience as well. Of course, some people don't believe in the "anointed" or even that the parable about the vineyard workers deals with this aspect of the witness organization, perhaps because they don't believe in some of the parables being prophetic. But any witness accepts the concept of the heavenly class, the 144,000 and the earthly class without question. So even if someone doesn't really believe its real, it's an integral part of the cult that the witnesses understand what you are talking about when you say you're "of the anointed." In fact, I think on their field service report sheets they have to note whether there are "Other Sheep" or "Anointed." Here's an example of what JWs believe with respect to the anointed:

  After that, Jehovah selected others, and he anointed them with his holy spirit. Thousands were added in the very early years of Christianity. At the Memorial celebration in our time, the speaker often calls attention to the apostle Paul’s words at Romans 8:15-17, which mention that the anointed ‘receive a spirit of adoption as sons.’ Paul added that the holy spirit they receive ‘bears witness with their spirit, that they are God’s children, joint heirs with Christ.’ Those who truly have this spirit-anointing know it with certainty. It is not a mere wish or a reflection of an emotional and unrealistic view of themselves.

  We understand that this heavenly calling continued down through the centuries, though during the so-called Dark Ages, there may have been times when the number of anointed ones were very few. With the reestablishment of true Christianity near the end of the last century, more were called and chosen. But it seems that in the mid-1930’s, the full number of the 144,000 was basically completed. Thus there began to appear a group of loyal Christians with the earthly hope. Jesus termed such "other sheep," who unite in worship with the anointed as one approved flock.—John 10:14-16.

  The facts over the decades reflect both the completion of the calling of the anointed and Jehovah’s blessing on the growing "great crowd," who hope to survive "the great tribulation." (Revelation 7:9, 14) For example, at the Memorial celebration in 1935, attended by 63,146, those partaking of the emblems in evidence of their profession to be anointed numbered 52,465. Thirty years later, or in 1965, the attendance was 1,933,089, while the partakers decreased to 11,550. Moving 30 years closer, in 1995 the attendance jumped to 13,147,201, but only 8,645 partook of the bread and the wine. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26) Clearly, as the decades passed, the number of those professing to be of the remnant greatly decreased—some 52,400 in 1935; 11,500 in 1965; 8,600 in 1995. However, those with earthly hopes have been blessed, and their number has increased abundantly.

  1966, 8/15 Watchtower

  JC
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  JCanon

  Here's another WTS article about the calling, just to see what the members are told regarding it:

  Anointing

  toaHeavenlyHope—HowIsItManifest?

  WRITING to the congregation of anointed Christians in Corinth, the apostle Paul said that God has "put his seal upon us and has given us the token of what is to come, that is, the spirit, in our hearts."—2 Cor. 1:21, 22.

  How do those who have been anointed by God to be his heavenly sons and who receive the sealing of the spirit manifest this? Is it possible for someone to think that he or she is thus anointed and yet be mistaken?

  There is an evident need for Scriptural understanding of these points. For example, in a few congregations in one large country of Africa, certain persons attending the celebration of the Lord’s Evening Meal partook for the first time and were seen to shake visibly or to make other unusual movements while partaking. Is this in harmony with the Scriptures as to the way God’s spirit acts toward those anointed? Is it evidence of his spirit in the hearts of such ones, giving them a "token" or foretaste of the heavenly sonship to which they are called?

  The answer to these questions must be No. Such strange conduct is instead characteristic of certain religious sects that encourage giving way to unrestrained actions, or of ritual dances of certain tribes that encourage emotional excitement.

  The Bible nowhere indicates that—either at the time of God’s anointing of someone as called to the heavenly kingdom or after such anointing—the action of God’s spirit produces conduct of an abnormal, showy or undignified nature. On the day of Pentecost it is true that Jehovah God caused miraculous things to occur, such as the "noise just like that of a rushing stiff breeze" that filled the house where the disciples were, and the "tongues as if of fire" that sat upon those anointed by holy spirit. These miraculous features provided by God himself served to draw many people there so that a mighty witness could be given and also to give powerful evidence that God’s favor had passed from fleshly Israel under the Law covenant to spiritual Israel under the new covenant. The disciples were able to speak in the different languages of those drawn there, a gift also miraculously given. But there is nothing to indicate that the disciples acted in a highly emotional way or with any undignified behavior. The accusation made by some of the observers that the disciples were drunk was not because of any shaking action by the disciples but, as the account shows, it was because such observers heard these Jewish disciples speaking in foreign languages. The address there given by the apostle Peter was a very sober, sensible, logical presentation, not one of emotionalism.—Acts 2:1-36.

  After this initial outpouring of the spirit at Pentecost, the Bible does not indicate that the ‘noise like a rushing breeze’ or the "tongues as if of fire" were ever repeated in the cases of others thereafter anointed. Even the gifts of the spirit, such as the miraculous ability to speak in foreign languages, were due to end and did end with the death of the apostles and of those to whom they had imparted such gifts.—Acts 8:14-18; 19:2-6; 1 Cor. 13:8-12.

  RECEIVING

  ATRUESPIRITOFSONSHIP

  How, then, does God’s holy spirit operate toward those whom he anoints? Romans 8:15-17 tells us, saying: "For you did not receive a spirit of slavery causing fear again, but you received a spirit of adoption as sons, by which spirit we cry out: ‘Abba, Father!’ The spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are God’s children. If, then, we are children, we are also heirs: heirs indeed of God, but joint heirs with Christ, provided we suffer together that we may also be glorified together."

  Similarly, at Galatians 4:6, 7, we read: "Now because you are sons, God has sent forth the spirit of his Son into our hearts and it cries out: ‘Abba, Father!’ So, then, you are no longer a slave but a son; and if a son, also an heir through God."

  Therefore the principal evidence one anointed to the heavenly calling has is this spirit or dominant sense of sonship, that is, of having been begotten by God to spiritual sonship as one of the 144,000 heirs of the heavenly kingdom. One genuinely begotten can testify in all good conscience that the heavenly hopes produced in him are not born of his own desires or imaginations but are from Jehovah God, the result of His spirit’s action toward such a one. (1 Pet. 1:3, 4; Rev. 14:1-3) This is at once an awesome privilege and a grave responsibility—becoming the spiritual son of the Universal Sovereign whose ‘name is majestic’ and of whom it is written, "Dignity and splendor are before him." (Ps. 8:1; 96:6) Certainly for those honored with such call to be his sons, conduct should be expected that would be fittingly representative of this dignified Father, upholding his reputation. They should surely manifest the fruitage of God’s spirit, which includes "self-control." (Gal. 5:22, 23; 1 Cor. 14:33) Those anointed have as their model God’s Chief Son, Christ Jesus, and should also reflect his spirit or dominant expression of himself. To give in to practices that smack of fleshly tribal customs or of religious sects that encourage uncontrolled emotionalism would not give evidence of genuine spiritual sonship. As the inspired apostle states:

  "However, you are in harmony, not with the flesh, but with the spirit, if God’s spirit truly dwells in you. But if anyone does not have Christ’s spirit, this one does not belong to him."—Rom. 8:9.

  At the annual celebration of the Memorial of Christ’s death, then, the conduct of one who is truly of the anointed joint heirs of Christ should be above reproach or question. The apostle Paul had to reprove certain ones in the Corinthian congregation because their conduct at the Lord’s Evening Meal was ‘unworthy’ of the occasion. Some were treating the Memorial emblems as mere food and drink for satisfying hunger and thirst, or, before the occasion they might have used wine to the point of intoxication. Such unworthy conduct showed failure to discern what was represented by the emblems—namely, the blood and body of Christ Jesus that had been offered as a ransom sacrifice. Such disrespectful conduct could bring a judgment upon those engaging in it. It could bring disciplining action from Jehovah.—1 Cor. 11:20-32.

  So, no true Christian would want to take lightly the occasion of the Lord’s Evening Meal, either in the ways described by the apostle or in other ways, such as by making a display of himself. The minds of all present should be focused on the vital meaning and significance of the occasion, not on the strange actions of certain individuals. Actions serving to draw attention to the individual would cast a shadow of uncertainty on such a one’s claim to be of God’s anointed. It would be an indication that he did "not have Christ’s spirit."

  REASONS

  FORWRONGASSUMPTIONSBYSOME

  What might cause some to assume mistakenly that they are of the anointed ones who should partake of the Memorial emblems? The apostle John said to his fellow anointed Christians: "You have an anointing from the holy one; all of you have knowledge." (1 John 2:20) Lack of knowledge could be responsible for someone’s assuming wrongly that he or she was thus anointed. One may fail to realize that, as with other favors of God, receiving such anointing "depends, not upon the one wishing nor upon the one running, but upon God." (Rom. 9:8, 16; Jas. 1:18) So it is not because an individual decides that he or she would like to be of those who will serve as heavenly kings and priests, being taken into the new covenant validated by Christ’s shed blood, which blood is symbolized by the wine used at the Memorial. It is God’s choice, not the individual’s that counts.—Matt. 26:27, 28.

  There is no room for presumption, any more than there was when Jehovah God selected those who would serve as priests for him in ancient Israel under the Law covenant. (Compare 2 Chronicles 26:18; Hebrews 5:4, 5.) Korah presumptuously sought the priesthood that Jehovah God had placed in the family of Aaron, and for his rebellious course Korah was executed by God. (Ex. 28:1; Num. 16:4-11) Somewhat similarly, it would certainly be displeasing to God if someone presented himself as called to form part of the heavenly "kingdom of priests" if God had not actually given him such a call. We cannot trifle with Jehovah’s arrangements and still expect to receive his approval. In due time he makes known his judgment.—1 Cor. 4:5; 1 Tim. 5:24, 25.

  A possible cause of a person’s mistakenly assuming that he or she had such heavenly calling might be strong emotional pressure owing to severe problems in life—marital problems, perhaps even divorce or the death of a mate, or some other tragedy or great disappointment. These things can cause one to lose interest in life as it is now lived on earth, in effect causing one to become "sour" on such life. If this happens, the person might be moved to feel that life in heaven is what he or she wants. But this is not God’s way of calling persons and giving them the ‘spirit of sonship.’ Such ones should realize that Jehovah God will soon transform life on this earth under his Son’s kingdom and will see to it that "the creation itself also will be set free from enslavement to corruption and have the glorious freedom of the children of God." So, even though "all creation keeps on groaning together and being in pain together until now," this will not go on forever. It would show a lack of appreciation for God’s purpose regarding the earth to view life on it as no longer desirable and—on that basis—entertain hopes of life in heaven.—Rom. 8:20-22.

  EXAMINING

  VALIDITYOFONE’SHOPES

  We can therefore examine ourselves in the light of these points. Has one perhaps been influenced by others to entertain the idea of such heavenly calling? This would not be proper, for God has not assigned persons to "recruit" others through suggestive influence, thus trying to instill in others a hope that God himself has not placed there. Has one, as is the case with many young persons today, had experience with drugs before learning the truth of God’s Word? An introverted tendency toward fantasy or dreaminess or abstract thinking is no sign of anointing by God, nor even of true spirituality. Nor does God employ methods that cause persons to think they hear voices, at times accompanied by music, or similar messages, to convey his anointing of Christian heirs to the Kingdom, though some in recent years have allowed such things to cause them to think they had received a heavenly call.

  Finally, one may ask oneself in all honesty, Do I have a tendency toward desiring attention or prominence? Am I anxious for a position of authority, or ambitious to be one of the "kings and priests" associated with Christ Jesus? It is good to remember that in the first century when a general invitation was going out to seek entrance into the heavenly kingdom, not all the anointed Christians held positions of responsibility, not all were elders or ministerial servants of congregations. Nor does such anointing of itself bring exceptional understanding of God’s Word, as can be seen by the way the apostle Paul found it necessary to write certain anointed Christians in his day. (1 Cor. 3:1-3; Heb. 5:11-14) It is noteworthy also of persons today who have long years of service as anointed Christians that they do not view themselves as distinctive or make it a habit to draw attention to their being anointed. They manifest the humility that is to be expected of those who "have Christ’s spirit." They recognize that the vast majority of requirements that God has set for those gaining life in heaven and those gaining eternal life on earth are the same.

  As discussed in the book LifeEverlasting—inFreedomoftheSonsofGod, pages 147 to 151, evidence indicates that by 1934 God’s attention turned to developing the "great crowd" of persons who will survive the coming "great tribulation" to enter into an earthly New Order and that by that time the number of those called to the heavenly kingdom had reached its full number of 144,000. (Rev. 7:9-14; 14:1-3) Hence, it would be expected that thenceforth only as a result of an anointed one’s proving unfaithful would there be occasion for another person to be called as a replacement. (Compare Revelation 3:11.) And, as shown in the November 15, 1974, issue of TheWatchtower, pages 698 to 700, Jesus’ statement that "there are many invited, but few chosen" does not indicate that the majority of those who are anointed would prove unfaithful and have to be replaced. The "many" Jesus referred to were the millions of persons forming the Jewish nation to whom God’s "invitation" first went and from among whom only a few, comparatively speaking, were chosen as joint heirs with Christ.—Matt. 22:14.

  All of us, then, whether having an earthly or a heavenly hope, should be on guard against any presumptuousness on our part and should seek in all ways and at all times to reflect with dignity the ways and qualities of our heavenly Father. We will realize that, as regards being anointed to the heavenly calling, the important thing is not the simple act of partaking of emblems of bread and wine by an individual, but, instead, the important thing is God’s action and decision. So, too, it is not an individual’s claim that is most important but his having "Christ’s spirit" as an anointed son and, in the face of tests, finally conquering so as to become a spirit son of God.—Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:11, 21; 21:7.
• 

  JosephMalik

  Annointed, NIV or Unction KJV A simple term that the WT has turned into a nightmare for you. And millions bow down and serve them. Can anyone imagine how disgusting this is to God? The simple definition is: #1Jo 2:20,27 R.V., "anointing". Kings, prophets, and priests were anointed, in token of receiving divine grace. All believers are, in a secondary sense, what Christ was in a primary sense, "the Lord’s anointed." And used in a sentence it goes like this:

  1 John 2:20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. 21 I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth.

  So is anyone in the WT annointed? No! Not one of them. They lied to you but millions are still afraid of them. And they wait on every word, every lie that comes from then instead of: And: 27 As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit— just as it has taught you, remain in him. 28 And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming. Continue with "who?" Jehovah? No, Christ since only by serving Christ can we also have the Father. They got it all wrong. They are still living in the OT under the Law covenant looking to Jehovah their Christ for salvation while we are under a New Covenant for salvation that has a new Messiah or Christ. 22 Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist— he denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. 24 See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is what he promised us— even eternal life. It is that simple.

  Joseph
• 

  Terry

  Paul’s words at Romans 8:15-17, which mention that the anointed ‘receive a spirit of adoption as sons. ’ Paul added that the holy spirit they receive ‘bears witness with their spirit, that they are God’s children, joint heirs with Christ .’ Those who truly have this spirit-anointing know it with certainty. It is not a mere wish or a reflection of an emotional and unrealistic view of themselves.

  Jehovah's Witnesses don't believe people have spirits or souls!
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  JCanon

  I appreciate the idea that everyone is invited to be accepted by god and thus part of the "anointed" but the fact is, the anointed are clearly a limited number. Think of their function. They are judges, kings and priests. Those positions need a service group. Kings provide rulership, priests religious guidance and judges judgment.

  Just as there is a first resurrection and a second, everything is not equal. Everyone can't be part of the first resurrection.

  So essentially there is a select and special group of self-sacrificing individuals who are granted to become part of what we call the "Bride Class" of Christ, those who serve in a special capacity as king-priest-judges for the general population of mankind to help them toward eternal life. This body which the WTS consider to be just 144,000 is actually 1,440,000. That's because the promise of an entire nation of kings and priests for the Jews got modified. Those positions in the kingdom were reduced by 90% so that only 10% was to be left remaining as the ROOT. 10% would be natural Jews. 10% is the 144,000. Therefore, the entire number is 1,440,000. We all are familiar with the gentiles being spoken of as being grafted in, are we not?

  13 And there will still be in it a tenth, and it must again become something for burning down, like a big tree and like a massive tree in which, when there is a cutting down [of them], there is a stump; a holy seed will be the stump of it.”

  JC