Had Herod succeeded in killing Jesus at age two, Matthew 2:16, His blood would have been just as efficacious for the redemption of mankind as it was 31 years later. As an infant, conceived by the Holy Spirit, He was fully the Son of God when Mary gave Him birth; death by the Herodian sword or the Roman Cross would have made no difference. But, an additional work of the Holy Spirit was necessary before the benefit of His blood could be applied to mankind. As with Moses in Egypt, killing the Passover Lamb and putting its blood in the basin did not deliver Israel. The blood had to be applied to the doorpost of each person being saved. Without the application of the blood, the Israelite’s firstborn would have died with the Egyptians. Identically for us, the blood of Jesus must be applied personally to each one. It is this which necessitated the Holy Spirit’s second work in Jesus. By that, I refer to the anointing that came upon Jesus in the Jordan and which initiated His public ministry. Prior to the Spirit’s descent at His baptism, Jesus healed no one, performed no miracle, preached no “Gospel of the Kingdom”. That abruptly changed when the Holy Spirit came upon Him.
Not only so, but at Pentecost the Holy Spirit identically anointed the second Body of Christ, the Church. I Corinthians 12:27. Jesus’ specific instruction to the disciples was “wait for the promise of the Father ...You will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now ... You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.” Acts 1:4-8. The 120 disciples were already born-again before Pentecost; that work of the Holy Spirit in them was complete. But not so in the Holy Spirit’s anointing them for miraculous ministry and the evangelizing of the world. Without the anointing of God’s power upon them individually and corporately the gospel could not be presented to the “ends of the earth”. The Holy Spirit’s provision for “getting the blood out of the basin” and onto the people occurred in two distinct events:
1. The anointing of Jesus in the Jordan.
2. The anointing of the disciples in the Upper Room.
In referring to the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Himself in the Jordan, Jesus said, :” The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel ... ” Luke 4:16-20. Whether Christ or us, kingdom-preaching is inseparably connected to anointing. The words “Christ” and “Christian”--from the Greek word chrios–are not designations of the new birth but of the anointing. Information about the gospel may be learned academically but the actual ministry of the gospel can be rendered only by the Holy Spirit. The difference between preaching and lecturing is the presence or absence of the anointing. Tragically, there is much Christian “lecturing” in our day. Paul explained the difference, “Our sufficiency is of God who has made us able ministers of the New Testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” II Corinthians 3:5-7.
The Apostle’s statement is unmistakable: Without the Holy Spirit’s illumination, preaching that relies solely on the letter of the New Testament produces death.
Observe how "anointing" and ministry are inseparably connected. Jesus' conception by the Holy Spirit was for the purpose of His incarnation and redemption. His anointing by the Holy Spirit was for " ... Healing the broken hearted, preaching deliverance to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, and setting at liberty those who are bruised." To be thorough students of the Word, we must make this distinction carefully. These two works of the Spirit in Jesus’ experience are distinctive; one does not replace the other, and both were essential for the completion of redemption. Prior to the anointing, Jesus preached no message, healed no sickness, performed no miracle. When the anointing came that inactivity immediately changed.
I am fully persuaded that Jesus’ cry from the cross, My God! My God! Why have You forsaken Me?!,” occurred because the anointing of the Spirit had lifted from Him. His incarnation as the Son of God remained unchanged but the Holy Spirit’s work of anointing was finished. Jesus’ gospel ministry was now complete. It is my opinion that if the Comforter had remained with Him He could not have died. As the ultimate scapegoat, Jesus had to be abandoned by the Father and the Spirit. But the abandonment was not negative for the Holy Spirit; He lifted from Jesus in anticipation of coming upon the new body of Christ–the Church–in the Upper Room on the day of Pentecost. Acts 2. The effect of the Holy Spirit’s descent on the disciples was as explosive as it had been with Jesus. Immediately, they “went everywhere preaching the word.”
Historians estimate that within fifty-six years following Pentecost the gospel had been preached throughout the Roman world and much of the Far East. The "anointing" made the difference. There is reliable evidence that the Apostle Thomas reached India, establishing churches. If the first-century disciples needed the Holy Spirit's baptism, can we expect to need less? The answer is obvious. This points out the Bible truth that regeneration alone does not equip us for the spiritual work of ministry. Thankfully, every believer can quote Scripture--that is wonderful--but the gospel of the Kingdom is much, much, more than a mere presentation of Bible facts. In varying ways, this Kingdom-gospel is confirmed with “signs following”. Mark 16:17. Baptism and anointing in the Spirit opens the way for this to be done. Through the impartation of this holy power, the Spirit and the Bride simultaneously say “come.” Revelation 22:17. In the intent of God, this is the only gospel; ageless, unchanged, eternally the same. It is the vocal, audible, declaration of Jesus’ atonement, accompanied by the Holy Spirit’s anointing, which draws into itself all the spiritual and physical benefits of Kingdom power. Any lessor gospel is insubordination to the Kingdom. The purpose of the Holy Spirit’s anointing is to empower redeemed men and women with Kingdom authority to preach that gospel with all its original, miraculous manifestations.
The modern church lacks miraculous power because it has wrongly assumed preaching the gospel requires nothing more that the presentation of Bible facts. Absolutely, this is not so! Seminaries, Bible Schools, wonderful as they are, can only impart academic knowledge. Even those which acknowledge the need for spiritual gifts are powerless to provide them. We receive them directly from Jesus as the baptizer in the Holy Spirit or we do not get them at all. John 1:33. A pastor can have a dozen University Degrees on his office wall and still be disqualified from providing genuine New Testament ministry. Paul learned Scripture at the feet of Gamaliel but said, “what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ”. Philippians 3:7. He explained his true qualification for ministry to the Church in Galatia: “I went up by revelation and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles.” 2:2. Note the language that he “went up”, and experienced “revelation.” He further said, “The gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1:11,12. His “going up” and experiencing “revelation” challenged hearers with an irresistible authority that went far beyond his merely quoting Scripture. Paul verified the presence of this power when he wrote of things Christ accomplished in him ”in word and deed ... in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.” Romans 15:18-19. Paul equated “fully preaching the gospel” with “mighty signs and wonders by the power of the Spirit of God.” So it was then. So it is now.
In the exact pattern of other New Testament disciples Paul experienced two encounters with the Holy Spirit: The first on the Damascus road when he was born-again; the second in the Damascus room when Ananias laid-hands on him, filling him with the Holy Spirit. The first prepared Paul for Heaven; the second prepared him for power-endued gospel ministry. Without the second, the first would have been inadequate for preaching. Observe that this is an exact parallel of the Holy Spirit’s work in Jesus: First, birth by the Holy Spirit. Secondly, empowering by the Holy Spirit. And this is the same two-step pattern intended for us: Regeneration and baptism by the Spirit. This was the identical pattern of the original disciples: On the day of the resurrection Jesus breathed into them saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:22. This was the moment of their new birth. Their anointing at Pentecost occurred 40 days later.
When Peter preached to the household of Cornelius, “The Holy Spirit fell on all them who heard the word,” Acts 10:44-45. Today, as then, the empowered gospel can invade the physical realm, reconnect it to the spiritual by changing natural circumstances into supernatural manifestations. Peter’s presence as a messenger of the Kingdom was essential but the man himself was not the source of power--it was the Holy Spirit’s anointing upon him. Then, as now, the Holy Spirit anoints preaching that honors Jesus. “For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit ...” 1 Thessalonians 1:5. I say this to the glory of God but there have been times when the anointing of the Holy Spirit was so strong on me that people whom I approached in hotel lobbies, malls, parking lots, restaurants, wherever I happened to be, dropped to the ground under the power of God. And God did not seem to care what the public thought. He simply met needs wherever He encountered them. As with Philip’s preaching in Samaria, these people rose from that encounter experiencing “great joy.” Acts 8:8.
Anointed preaching which penetrates the heart is able to destroy evil, bring light into darkness, pull down demonic strongholds, transform fallen humanity into Christ’s image and bring men to salvation. The proof of the gospel is the “mighty signs and wonders” which accompany it. Where there are no “signs” there is no full gospel. The point is this: Bible literature remains only that until the voice of the Holy Spirit speaks through it. Fully presented, the gospel produces the same results today as it did in the first century. How do we achieve that release of power? Receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit! Jesus said, “I send upon you the promise of the Father.” Acts 1:4. “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Someone asks, “Is this gift of the Spirit intended for our day?” Jesus answered that question when He said to the first disciples, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20. Jesus was emphatic. His instruction, “teach them all things,” referring specifically to the church at the “end of the age” is unmistakably clear. He expected the 21st century church is to be taught precisely what He taught the first century church. There is no such thing as an Apostolic Church and a post-Apostolic Church.! There is simply the “Church” with “One Lord, one faith, one baptism.” Ephesians 4:5. We can either believe Jesus or men’s doctrines of denial. We cannot believe both.
In contrast to the provision of Jesus, much of the modern church is sincerely religious but spiritually powerless. Nor is my own ministry yet where God and I want it to be--my daily prayer is that “I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord ...” II Corinthians 12:1. The promise of Scripture is that “Young men shall see visions, old men shall dream dreams.” Acts 2:17. In 1948 my ministry began suddenly–unexpectedly--when God encountered me with a life-changing vision. Nearly 60 years later, at age 75, I am hungry for more and still determined to press deeper into the realms of the Spirit.
Question: Why do those supporting the “cessation” theory claim God removed the Holy Spirit’s power from the gospel? Answer: To justify the absence of miracles and acquit itself of failure, the modern church has blamed God for the power’s disappearance. But hear what Paul said about such a change: “I marvel that you are so soon removed from him who called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some who trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that you have received, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:6-10. How could language possibly be more plain? I know not! Quoting Paul, I will be so bold as to say that any “gospel” which claims to be different from the original is a humanized gospel. Scripture severely warns against our preaching “another gospel.” In the sight of God there is only one, the original Gospel of the Kingdom presented by His Son.
Latin American is now experiencing that incredible gospel. In 1900 it is estimated that there were less than 50,000 evangelicals in the whole of Latin America. Today the number is in excess of 100,000,000. Most of that phenomenal growth has occurred in the past 55 years. How did it happen? At mid-century, a Spirit-baptized evangelist, Tommy Hicks, an American, preached in Argentina, the Holy Spirit fell in Pentecost-power, and the flame ignited. A Reformation greater than Luther saw has taken place. While other nations are in blazing revival why is not the Church in North America experiencing “first century” power? I can give you a one-word answer: Unbelief. Much of current Christianity is bereft of the Holy Spirit’s “signs and wonders” Jesus promised and in their place has substituted an alluring-but soulish–imitation. The greatest problem in the North American Church is its creation of a“denominationalized” gospel which has been re-designed to accommodate dozens of public opinions. In many cases, truth that does not fit local preference is carefully disqualified. We have replaced the “Gospel of the Kingdom” with a cultural gospel in which religious hierarchies are comfortable--the “Kingdom” Gospel has been subtly replaced.
The Church in North America needs to wake up! While it is fighting against spiritual gifts and weekly closing scores of churches other parts of the world are thriving. The good news from other nations is this: With a world-wide Christian population of two billion, more than 500,000,000 disciples of Jesus now acknowledge the Holy Spirit’s gifts and power.
How does one receive the anointing? Jesus said, "Your Heavenly Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.” Luke 11:13. Ask, friend, ask! If you have not done so, stop your foolish arguing and receive it! Your Christian walk will be transformed. Charles Carrin
Bob Mumford, Jack Taylor, and I, recently hosted a closed 15-member meeting of pastors from across the nation to discuss the Kingdom of God. I moderated, Bob and Jack brought the teaching with everyone contributing to the discussions. This was an outstanding event. Pastors who sense the urgency of Kingdom study are invited to contact us. As a follow-up of that meeting, I share the following:
While God intends that the relationship between church and pastor typify the relationship between Christ and His Kingdom, I can tell you without hesitation that such relationships are frequently disaster scenes. In the U.S. alone, more than 1,600 pastors each month either abandon their pulpits or are forced from them involuntarily. The Southern Baptist Convention maintains a toll-free hot line, LeaderCare, which assists some 1,400 frustrated pastors annually. With an average survival-rate of only 18 months for Baptist pastorates, this service is gravely needed. The most frequent cause of church-pastor divorce is ugly religious "politics.” Nothing else abuses godly men, destroys good ministries, and grieves the Holy Spirit, like political betrayal from within. While churches encounter opposition externally, their greatest opponent rises from their own ranks. Churches self-destruct. The problem is not an attack of men against men: It is an attack of men and demons against God. Church politics rejects the work of the Holy Spirit and deprives Him of His rightful leadership. This is both tragic and senseless. Hardly a week passes that I do not receive a call from some grieving pastor or church leader who has been crucified by religious politicians. I know their pain; I too have been there.
Church-politics saps spiritual strength like parasites ruin its victim's health; the end-result is spiritual deadness, impotent preaching, and discouraged congregations. Finances always decline. When that happens, many congregations create "synthetic success." They turn to programs, entertainment, musical enthusiasm, to make things appear well. The truth is, these exercises only embalm the body after the Spirit has departed; they put cosmetics on the corpse. The Book of Revelation describes such a Church: "You have a name that you are alive, but you are dead." 3:2. Whether such political factors originate in the pastor, church leaders, or congregation, they can be broken only by honest, public repentance and confession of sin. Cover-up and deception fortifies the power of such darkness and tightens its grip. Unfortunately, pride, self-esteem, ego, and the like, usually prevent guilty parties from yielding to the Holy Spirit's demand for openness and honesty. People who create such problems later wonder what is wrong with their Church. The demon that enticed them, blinds them to the effects of their own sin. Hear me carefully: When a move of God comes to a paralyzing halt, something other than God stopped it. The Holy Spirit never interrupts His own work; He does not compete with Himself. Rebellion in the people forces His withdrawal. When paralysis continues uncorrected and vitality is not restored it is because the Holy Spirit has not been consulted; He longs to bring reconciliation back to the church. People who seemingly want restoration will still nurse injured feelings more passionately than they will pursue the Holy Spirit.
Seven hundred years before Christ, the prophet Amos warned Samaria that "an adversary shall be all around the land; He shall sap your strength from you.” 3:11.That literally came to pass. Unscrupulous politics steadily reduced godliness to formality; “religion” flourished as meaningless ritual. True spiritual power drained from the people in the same way modern Christians gradually lose their anointing. The good news is that God is willing to forgive and restore. Soon after Pentecost, Philip, the deacon-evangelist, preached in Samaria with amazing results. The power of the gospel destroyed the religious-political-curse and set people free. “Unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice came out of many who were possessed and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed." Acts 8:7. Kingdom-power will demolish demonic strongholds in our day identically as it did anciently. Every wrongly-motivated political movement in the church can be corrected by it. If we obey Jesus according to the New Testament pattern, we will accomplish identical results as did first century believers. Hell has yet to invent a curse that the Cross cannot destroy. "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil." I John 3:8. That includes his “political” works.
If you have ever been part of religious politics in which another person or church was harmed it is probable that a curse is operating against you. God said, “Touch not my anointed, do my prophets no harm.” I Chronicles 16:22. In participating in a curse against another, you may have brought it upon yourself. That could explain why there are failures in your own life, your ministry, or your church. What do you do? The first step toward restoration is for you to believe the New Testament. Believe it totally. Unconditionally. Know that you are to "Submit to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7. Acknowledge your sin. Repent of it. Speak to the curse it brought. Quote Scripture to it! Chase it from your life in the Name of Jesus! Don't quit until it is gone. The curse must be broken!
Religious fertilizer will not revive ground that has been cursed. Stop trying that method. Deal with the real issue. If churches can thrive in the black hole of Calcutta surely they can thrive in your neighborhood--if you first deal with the cause. If not, failure or synthetic success awaits you. Keep yourself clean from church politics. It is a deadly game. Give the church leadership back to the Holy Spirit. He is capable of restoring the Kingdom of God to your congregation. Without Him you are doomed to failure. _ C.C.
