Spiritual Annointing

Acts 2:38-39

Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 4:8 says when he "ascended on high," he "led captivity captive and gave gifts to men." These gifts speak of the leadership and the spiritual anointing to do greater things. The power and authority to do the greater works of John 14:12, casting out demons in Matthew 17:19, healing the sick in Mark 16:18, and speaking in tongues are given by the Father to the Son in Matthew 28:18. The Son has given the people authority through the Holy Spirit to teach all nations in Matthew 28:19; this so-called great commission is not always exercised by all for whom it was intended. Some use it for the wrong purposes to bring themselves or others glory rather than to God as seen in Acts 5:29. On the other hand, what is worse is not using the gifts or the Spirit at all, but rather living life in blissful unawareness of the complete person of God.

The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call."

This is the Holy Spirit's kingdom. The disciples understood there was a kingdom coming but it was not yet pertaining to the nation Israel as in Acts 1:6. Baptism with water is an outward sign that just as you came into the world by water so you come into the heavenly kingdom through the blood of Jesus. The Holy Spirit baptism is one that cannot be taken away. This text suggests that there are levels and order to spiritual anointing. Just as the natural man cannot crawl back into the woman's womb and be born again, so those of the kingdom of God are born of above, sealed with the Spirit, and are kept with his power. As such, these cannot be lost. The Holy Spirit is the birthright of those born of above.