The Anointing - part 3
As we move to Acts 4, we see that the anointing on the lives of the apostles and the early Church was now creating quite a stir. The priests, Sadducees, and the captain of the temple had become extremely upset. You see, the anointing brought a teaching that to some was new. How could a dead man be resurrected? These Sadducees did not believe in any form of resurrection, let alone a man like Jesus raising from the dead.
But the complaints of the religious leaders did not hinder the Believers and more were coming to Christ daily. Peter was put in custody with others and kept overnight. The next day the whole religious contingency of the High Priest showed up in Jerusalem. They brought Peter and his team out of jail and wanted to know by what power or by what name they had done these things. And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power, or by what name, have you done this?” (Acts 4:7 NKJV)
Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, then started to talk and explain. The anointing was again on Peter to reveal truth, and it gave him courage, words, and strength to speak. Those interrogating Peter realized he had been with Jesus. The man who once hid his relationship with the Lord is now pouring out his soul. The lame man who was healed was standing there also revealing Christ. The fruits of the anointing could not be denied.
The anointing must have been so strong on Peter that no one in the council dared say anything negative publicly. Instead, they asked to counsel alone. In the secret of their discussion, they came up with a plan to command the apostles not to speak or teach in the Name of Jesus any longer. Unfortunately for the religious leaders, these were now “new” apostles with whom they were dealing. They were full of God’s anointing, and that anointing could not be regulated or in any way quenched by man’s laws.
How could the healings be denied? The bravery and wisdom of Peter could not be questioned. The anointing on their lives was evident to all. Telling an anointed person of God not to speak about Jesus anymore is like adding fuel to the fire. It seemed to put more boldness in them as Peter and John answered, But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken to you more than to God, judge you. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:19-20 NKJV)
When the anointing of God is present, you cannot deny it. When the anointing is working in your life and giving you strength to speak the truth, you cannot silence it.
The apostles went back to their homes and prayed for more anointing and more boldness to speak the Word. We read in Acts 4:31 (NKJV) “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and they spoke the Word of God with boldness.”
I have heard stories of people on mission trips where they have gathered together to pray and the room shook. Once while in Erode, India, ministering on prayer and fasting, the anointing came into our room with such power when everyone prayed that the whole building shook.
With the anointing on the early apostles, great grace came. “And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.” (Acts 4:33 NKJV) No one lacked, for they shared their possessions, sold their land, and laid their proceeds at the apostles’ feet.
Next week we will start with Acts 5 and talk about a couple who did not understand the power of the Holy Spirit and the anointing of God. Can you guess who we will discuss?
Dr. Sharon Predovich
