Q: Hi, I've been reading and perusing your site; it's very interesting. I was reading your article about entitled 'Am I Anointed?' You mentioned having spoken to one of the anointed and said that he had had an experience of some kind. Can you tell me anymore about his experience or anybody's experience who claims to be anointed. I had an experience about 10 years ago before I was baptized which was incredibly powerful. I felt as if I had been taken behind the 'curtain' for a moment. I found it very wonderful but it left me confused because my reasoning was I couldn't possible be anointed because of my relatively young age. But, whenever I am reading scripture pertaining to heavenly life I feel that I am being spoken to. If you can share anything you have heard about the experiences of those who have been anointed I'd love to hear about them.
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A: You are probably wondering about any anointing experiences that others may have had to confirm that your own experience is also from Jehovah. I have received letters from individuals who have recently (within the last 15 years) had some powerful "anointing" experience, and over the years I have also personally talked with a few who have had such an experience, which they accepted (in some cases many years later) as having been from God. In view of what we have been taught in the Watchtower publications regarding the eminence, the lofty position and superior blessings of the anointed over God's "other sheep," it is only natural for a humble person to feel unworthy and wonder about any special consideration that might come from Jehovah.

In my own case, I cannot claim any "incredibly powerful" anointing experience(s). Even what took place immediately after my baptism was not in any way incredibly powerful or emotional. That was in 1961, when I was only seventeen years old. Back in the Sixties there were, as I remember, eight brothers and sisters in our congregation who partook of the emblems at the Memorial. (I did not partake until 1995.) None of the ones that I talked with back then claimed to have had any incredibly powerful experience like the ones some have related to me more recently. Typical was the case of a sister in our congregation at that time who believed that she was anointed at the 1958 New York City's Yankee Stadium convention she attended, where she had felt Jehovah's spirit fill her with a particular joy, which changed her hope from living on earth to the heavenly one. Like you mention in your case, after her experience she applied the Scriptures pertaining to heavenly life as speaking to her. She clung to her hope without wavering and served Jehovah faithfully and zealously until her death. The brothers and sisters who partook of the emblems back then, for the most part believed that they had the heavenly hope simply because that was their heart's desire. They simply could not imagine themselves living on earth, even if it were transformed into a paradise. I might also mention that not everyone, even back then, was viewed by others as "genuine" anointed. Among the eight partakers in our congregation was one elderly married couple who both partook but were not taken serious because of their behavior, the least of which included not getting along with each other. (The Watchtower study conductor seldom called on them for comments, as they would go off relating at length some personal experience they had had, usually on how they brilliantly handled some objection in the ministry, which had nothing to do with the topic under discussion.) 

When it comes to anointing experiences it seems that the more recent partakers have the "incredibly powerful" and sometimes supernatural ones. Some are indeed very intriguing. One brother, who told me his own powerful anointing experience, also had had dealings with demons prior to becoming a Witness, being able to call them up at will by means of a mirror. Immediately after his incredible and emotional experience, feeling the power of the holy spirit anoint him and God talking to him, he says the demons took advantage of the situation. He was told to prove his faith and obedience by walking naked outside to a certain place some distance away, and, believing that God was still with him, set out to do so. He almost did too, even went as far as the front door, but then realized that Jehovah would not ask him to do such a thing, especially since he had come to the conclusion at that moment that Armageddon was already over. One sister I knew several years ago, after her powerful and highly emotional experience, actually walked down the street she lived on, taking along her two children, all of them with no clothes on, in obedience to what she believed was God telling her to do so. She joked about it later. More recently, one elderly sister in our congregation had an "anointing" experience when, she says, Jesus appeared to her on her television and she was filled with holy spirit. A few believed her claim of anointing because of her advanced years, while others expressed their doubts privately. Some newly anointed claim to have seen Jesus in a vision, yes, even getting a glimpse of heaven itself; while others were privileged to get a view into the future. One brother, mentioned earlier, believes that he was given the assurance that he had the "second sealing" as part of his anointing. A few have mentioned that because of feelings of unworthiness, they believed that Jehovah was confirming his choosing of them by giving them clues, signs, either by means of what they saw on a television program, such as The Simpsons in one brother's case, or by something someone said to them in passing.

The apostle Paul certainly had an incredible and powerful experience that he related at times as evidence of his special apostleship. As the persecutor Saul, while on his way to Damascus to take into custody Christ's disciples, the resurrected Jesus appeared to him in a brilliant "light from heaven," that blinded him. He also heard a voice addressing him, and later while in a trance was given instructions. Further, he saw in vision what was about to happen, that a certain man, Ananias, would "come in and lay his hands upon him that he might recover sight." Is this not similar to what some have experienced today: seeing Jesus, hearing a voice, being in a trance, getting a glimpse of the future, seeing visions, in evidence of their anointing? But, there appears to be at least one major difference between Paul's experience and many of those today. Paul was informed about the purpose of his having been chosen. Earlier, Ananias was told by the Lord regarding Paul: "Be on your way [to Paul], because this man is a chosen vessel to me to bear my name to the nations as well as to kings and the sons of Israel." That is why Ananias was able to explain to Paul: "The God of our forefathers has chosen you to come to know his will and to see the righteous One and to hear the voice of his mouth, because you are to be a witness for him to all men of things you have seen and heard." The spirit that anointed Paul did not leave him in doubt about the purpose of his anointing. (Acts 9:1-18; Acts 13:2, CEV; 22:6-21)

Is it credible for the holy spirit to anoint someone as being chosen by God and yet, at the same time, have that same spirit fail to reveal to the person the purpose for his anointing? It appears, in many instances today, that the anointing of an individual is an end in itself. They view it as a personal statement from Jehovah that he is pleased with the person, understands the suffering he has undergone, and has chosen the person because of his capability to show empathy for others. But an unusual large number of newly professed anointed ones do not understand about God's household and their appointed place within that household. Some have even gone so far as to deny that God has a household. The apostle John, himself anointed with holy spirit, assures those who are anointed by God that they are not left in the dark about their anointing.

"And as for YOU, the anointing (τò χρίσμα) that YOU received from him remains in YOU, and YOU do not need anyone to be teaching YOU; but, as the anointing from him is teaching YOU about all things, and is true and is no lie, and just as it has taught YOU, remain in union with him." —1 John 2:27.

A person who has been anointed with God's spirit will also be taught by the same spirit about his anointing. Paul adds that God's spirit "searches into all things, even the deep things of God." Yes, "no one has come to know the things of God, except the spirit of God...For 'who has come to know the mind of Jehovah, that he may instruct him?'" (1 Cor. 2:10-16) The spirit that anointed Paul did not fail to also instruct him about God's household, which to some may be among the "deep things of God." Paul wrote Timothy, "that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in God's household, which is the congregation of the living God, a pillar and support of the truth." (1 Tim. 3:15) Those anointed by Jehovah's spirit certainly understand things pertaining to God's household, his congregation, for they are placed there as foundation stones. Upon this foundation God has added others, those who through their faith in Christ Jesus, the "foundation cornerstone," are "rightly disposed for everlasting life." The entire household is thus "growing into a holy temple...for God to inhabit by spirit." (Eph. 2:19-22; Acts 13:48; 2 Cor. 6:16) 

It can rightly be called "God's household" because Jehovah himself laid the "foundation cornerstone," and he personally chooses each individual "living stone," so that together they make up the foundation of his "spiritual house." (1 Peter 2:5) That is the purpose of their anointing, and as the foundation stones they have the responsibility to support those who have been built upon them. That includes feeding all the members of the household, providing "them their food at the proper time," and shepherding the flock in love, for it all belongs to Jehovah. As Jesus pointed out, only if they faithfully carry out their assignment will they receive the reward of ruling with him in his kingdom. (Matt. 24:45-47; 1 Peter 5:2-4)

Therefore, how strange for someone to profess to have been anointed by Jehovah and yet not recognize that he has a household. God did not arrange to be worshipped by individual "living stones" that lie scattered throughout the yard. Rather, the "spiritual house" is made up of many stones, as Paul explains, and these living stones are "harmoniously joined together," growing into a "building," a "holy temple" for Jehovah to inhabit by spirit. A single stone by itself does not make a building; and neither does only a foundation. Note how Paul illustrates this further by comparing God's household to the human body, which although has many members is still one body. I'd like to quote from The Message Bible for its colorful description:

12-13 You can easily enough see how this kind of thing works by looking no further than your own body. Your body has many parts—limbs, organs, cells—but no matter how many parts you can name, you're still one body. It's exactly the same with Christ. By means of his one Spirit, we all said good-bye to our partial and piecemeal lives. We each used to independently call our own shots, but then we entered into a large and integrated life in which he has the final say in everything. (This is what we proclaimed in word and action when we were baptized.) Each of us is now a part of his resurrection body, refreshed and sustained at one fountain—his Spirit—where we all come to drink. The old labels we once used to identify ourselves—labels like Jew or Greek, slave or free—are no longer useful. We need something larger, more comprehensive.

14-18 I want you to think about how all this makes you more significant, not less. A body isn't just a single part blown up into something huge. It's all the different-but-similar parts arranged and functioning together. If Foot said, "I'm not elegant like Hand, embellished with rings; I guess I don't belong to this body," would that make it so? If Ear said, "I'm not beautiful like Eye, limpid and expressive; I don't deserve a place on the head," would you want to remove it from the body? If the body was all eye, how could it hear? If all ear, how could it smell? As it is, we see that God has carefully placed each part of the body right where he wanted it.

19-24 But I also want you to think about how this keeps your significance from getting blown up into self-importance. For no matter how significant you are, it is only because of what you are a part of. An enormous eye or a gigantic hand wouldn't be a body, but a monster. What we have is one body with many parts, each its proper size and in its proper place. No part is important on its own. Can you imagine Eye telling Hand, "Get lost; I don't need you"? Or, Head telling Foot, "You're fired; your job has been phased out"? As a matter of fact, in practice it works the other way—the "lower" the part, the more basic, and therefore necessary. You can live without an eye, for instance, but not without a stomach. When it's a part of your own body you are concerned with, it makes no difference whether the part is visible or clothed, higher or lower. You give it dignity and honor just as it is, without comparisons. If anything, you have more concern for the lower parts than the higher. If you had to choose, wouldn't you prefer good digestion to full-bodied hair?

25-26 The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part, the parts we mention and the parts we don't, the parts we see and the parts we don't. (or as the New Living Translation puts this verse: "This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other.") If one part hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt, and in the healing. If one part flourishes, every other part enters into the exuberance. (Bold mine) —1 Corinthians 12:12-26 (The Message)

See how Paul lovingly compares the harmony and preciousness of every member within God's household to the many parts that make up our body. Equally important are the parts we don't see, according to some translations alluding to our more private parts that we keep covered. "No part is important on its own!" Of what use is a part to the owner if it is no longer part of the body? Because of what Paul writes about God's household, one brother who claims to have been recently anointed, and who doubts that God has a household, even went so far as to also question whether Paul's writings were inspired and should be included in the Bible. It is indeed puzzling how some, who profess to have been anointed due to having had some powerful anointing experience, are going so far as to encourage the members of the body, the congregation, especially the ones hurting, to remove themselves from it. One such brother recently wrote me the following, "I read your story now for the second time. I find it very interesting for I have experienced things very similar to you, but I came to a very different conclusion than you. At the end of the eighties the spirit indicated very strongly to me that it was time to "get out of her my people" Rev. 18:4. I believe the organization is fulfilling prophecy but not in the way they think they are. So I guess my question to you is, what do you think you are gaining by staying in the organization? And why do you have a problem with people leaving?"

By confusing a man-made corporation, or organization (that functions according to Caesar's Law), with God's actual household, some recently "anointed" brothers have taken issue with me regarding what I have said in my articles about the need to remain within God's household. (Any who have been expelled unjustly are still part of God's household. Jehovah will sustain such a person and hold accountable those who are dealing treacherously with his sheep.  See Ezekiel 34:4, 10-12;  Romans 8:35-39) Denying that God has a household will not prevent Jehovah's coming judgment upon it and the removal of "those who are not obedient to the good news of God," along with the "ungodly" and the sinners. (1 Peter 4:17-19)

A powerful anointing experience, as described by some, is not in itself evidence that the person has been anointed with God's spirit, for Satan, who "keeps transforming himself into an angel of light," can do the same, as is evidenced by those who have similar experiences but are not worshippers of Jehovah, some not even believing in Christ Jesus. (2 Cor. 11:14,15; 1 Cor. 13:1-3) That is why the apostle Paul warns us, "The Holy Spirit clearly says that in the last days some people will leave the faith. They will follow spirits that will fool them. They will believe things that demons will teach them." (1 Tim. 4:1; New International Reader's Version) Such ones "have no understanding either of the words and terms they use or of the subjects about which they make [such] dogmatic assertions." (1 Tim. 1:7; Amplified Bible) Or, according to the Message Bible, "They set themselves up as experts on religious issues, but haven't the remotest idea of what they're holding forth with such imposing eloquence." Who is it that would have you believe that God does not have a household, or encourage those within that household to leave? Certainly not the Holy Spirit!

How can a person be sure that his anointing experience is from Jehovah? According to the Scriptures, the one who has been anointed with God's spirit will also be taught by the same spirit the purpose of the anointing and the responsibility that goes with it. The spirit does not cause confusion. Therefore, whether an anointing experience had Jehovah as its source is verified by what follows the experience. That is where the Bible puts the emphasis. In most instances, rather than a fantastic powerful and emotional experience, Jehovah's spirit simply changes the person's desire in life, affecting his entire outlook on his future, bringing him indescribable joy, a fruitage of the spirit. (Gal. 5:22,23) Whereas he once looked forward to living on a paradise earth in human perfection with family and friends, his aspiration and yearning is now directed toward Heaven, and that is what he is striving for. And neither does this new desire of his become a struggle, with the person eventually giving in to a hope that is foreign to him, as some have put it.

Jehovah himself will make it evident that he has chosen someone by the way he begins to deal with the person, opening the way for him/her to serve him in whatever capacity he has in store for that one. Other people's experiences in this regard are not of any particular benefit. This is a matter that you should earnestly pray about, for if Jehovah has anointed you he will not leave you in doubt. He will be the one that will be "acting within you in order for you both to will and to act." It will be your responsibility to act in harmony with the direction of the spirit, in full confidence that it will never lead you to act against Jehovah's will. (Phil. 2:13; Matt. 7:21-23)

* Note: Most of the Scriptures are "mouse-over" and not clickable. 

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