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Who and Where are the Anointed? (Only in the JW Organization?)

The concept of anointing relates to the ancient practice of anointing those who would be Priests or Kings (eg., Leviticus 8:12; 2 Samuel 2:4). But for the combined office of “kings and priests,” the Church and Bride of Christ is invited to share (Revelation 1:6; 5:10).  Jesus as the Head was anointed first, but the oil of the holy Spirit has run down upon his body members.

Psalm 133:1,2“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity! “It is like the precious oil upon the head, Coming down upon the beard,Even Aaron’s beard, Coming down

upon the edge of his robes.”  NAS

The word in the Scriptures that says God has “anointed us” (chrio) “is the verb form of “Christ,” the anointed, the Messiah (Christos).

2 Corinthians 1:21“Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ [#5548], and hath anointed [#5547] us, is God”
Strong’s Concordance NT:5547Christos (khris-tos’); from NT:5548; anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an             epithet of Jesus:
Strong’s Concordance NT:5548chrio (khree’-o); probably akin to NT:5530 through the idea of             contact; to smear or rub with oil, i.e. (by implication) to consecrate             to an office or religious service:

The Bride of Christ—the faithful 144,000—constitutes of the glorified Anointed Body of Christ (Revelation 14:1).

How are the anointed to be identified? Those who have this anointing have no need that any one teach them that fact, for they have the evidence of it—the proof of it in their own hearts and experience.

1 John 2:27“And as for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.”

This passage does not mean “no need” to be taught instruction about the Scriptures in righteousness or God’s plan of salvation. John does not contradict other Scriptures which show that God had appointed teachers in the Church. Teachers are needed and to be recognized (eg., Galatians 6:6; Titus 1:9; 2 Timothy 2:2). John himself was a teacher and in this very epistle was teaching what both he and we appreciate as sound doctrine—necessary to be taught. What John is saying is that you don’t “need for anyone to teach you” that “Jesus is Christ” (vs 22).  Notice how he says in vs 27 that what the anointing teaches “is true and is not a lie.”  The “lie” was from the antichrist influence (vs 18) denying that Jesus was Christ (vs 21, 22).  Also, those anointed with the Holy Spirit did not need anyone to tell them that they should not deny the Father and Son (vs 22); they knew this.  The meaning is further understood by a correct translation of verse 20, “Ye have the anointing of the Holy One and ye all know it.” (Message Bible) In other words, the one receiving the anointing should know they have the Holy Spirit, whether others know it or not.

How does one personally evaluate whether they are of the Anointed? While others may observe and appreciate one as being led and used of the LORD, it is a personal judgment to perceive that one is a candidate for becoming part of the Christ, the Anointed. One has to ask himself whether he or she has come into the Anointed by the scriptural guidelines:

  • Recognizing oneself is a sinner (Luke 18:13);
  • Personally recognizing Jesus as one’s Savior (1 John 4:14);
  • Recognizing the privilege of giving ALL in consecration to follow Christ (Matthew 16:24);
  • Recognizing some fruits of the spirit in oneself (peace, faith, gentleness, self-control, etc.) and understanding Scriptures by the holy Spirit (Philippians 1:11; Ephesians 1:18; 5:17,18).

Members of the Anointed are NOT self-appointed for life. But in order to be of the completed Anointed Body of Christ, one must be “faithful until death” (Revelation 2:10) Only “if” one faithfully progresses in bearing the ”fruits” of the spirit to full maturation will one receive an abundant entrance into a heavenly reward—and Anointed Body of Christ.

2 Peter 1:4-11“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”

In the meantime, those who are prospective members of the Anointed Body of Christ are not appointed to a virtual apostleship—ruling with authority to control every aspect of worship with authority to decide what is Truth. The Papacy throughout the Christian Age ruled with authority to dictate what is “truth” and rule in all worship.

The Risen Anointed Body in Heaven. Many hope or claim to be of the Anointed company—whether Bible Students, Jehovah’s Witnesses or others.  Actually prospective members of the Anointed Body of Christ begotten of the holy Spirit reside in various congregations around the world—from America to Siberia, across Europe to India, etc. As members of congregations, these individuals who have come under the anointing may simply promote what they understand to be Truth based on the Scriptures and make judgments by voting in decisions of the whole congregation.

When fully developed as New Creatures, they will be “born again” in the spirit (John 3:3-8). Not a self-appointed “Governing Body” now in the flesh—those faithful will then compose the risen Anointed Body of Christ in heaven.

Read what C.T. Russell said here:

42 comments to Who and Where are the Anointed? (Only in the JW Organization?)

  • Ex Jw

    Peter K.,my beliefs are more in line with the “Free Bible Students”(CDMI),in fact, I’ve been taking their “Bible Truths” correspondence course. They also believe the 144,000 is symbolic of Christ’Church, have you ever heard of them?

    • Peter K. (admin)

      Ex-JW – Yes I am very familiar. I went to their youth camps and conventions years ago with some happy memories. They tend to keep everything simple with lilttle emphasis in deep intellectual study. I am not aware of a Revelation book from them if they have one. I don’t think they spend much time in Revelation. As I understand it, the advantage of making the 144,000 symbolic is that now you can have millions in the bride of Christ and it is an easier and happier path, not a difficult narrow way where “few there are who find it.”

      • Ex Jw

        Peter K, from what I’ve read from their literature, the “narrow way” is not an easy path and few people are willing to sacrifice there life’s to be on it,thus,you have a “little flock” so to speak.

        • Peter K. (admin)

          Ex JW – Thanks. I am glad they are saying that in their literature.

          • Ex Jw

            Peter K, what was your impression of the CDMI brethren’s belefs?

            • Peter K. (admin)

              Ex Jw – Regarding the beliefs, the ones most active in public witness tend to be the more conservative doctrinally in the group, continuing to believe the Ransom for ALL, earthly and heavenly kingdom and are against hell, trinity and immortality of the soul. That is all very good. On the more liberal side of the group, some of these basics are not embraced. Over half at their general convention in Grove City regularly attend a denominational church.

              As a young teenager I integrated with both the free and traditional Bible Students at youth camps and conventions. I was very emotionally connected with and loved the free brethren; however over a period of about 20 years I finally stopped connecting regularly with the group. The issues I had is that it was near impossible in my personal experience to engage them in a discussion of their differences with the traditional Bible Students to determine from scripture who was correct. I was distraught to see them baptizing children and teenagers at their youth camps, many of whom at best had only a surface understanding of consecration and the Narrow Way as I understood it. They tended to encourage and integrate new ones into leadership opportunities too quickly in my judgment (I was of course among the ones allowed teaching opportunities, except once at the Fullerton, CA that as a young adult I gave a short talk on the Trinity). At age 15 at the New Years youth retreat in the Los Angeles area, I was shocked when new adult members from the Northern California area were invited to speak and spoke more like denominational preachers than Bible Students, particularly the one who promoted the Trinity in his service. I walked out of the hall to make a statement. I approached a couple of the leaders about it and they smoothed it over. Nevertheless I did not cut off my association with the group and even now I have some dear friends and contacts. There are still some more conservative thinking Free Bible Students who have not re-integrated with denominational churches and still meet together. In one group that I know of there are a small number that actually agree with more of the traditional Bible Student thoughts prophetically. I do enjoy when I have the opportunity to fellowship with the Free brethren.

              Much more can be said, however I hope this gives you an idea of what I think, not that my opinion should count for much. Best is for you to attend and make your own decision.

              • Ex Jw

                Peter K, thanks for the feed back. Another BS brother told me something similar. I guess what is written in their lessons doesn’t mean it’s being practiced! I’ll chalk this up as a learning experience. I know I don’t want to be that liberal!

                • Peter K. (admin)

                  Ken – In all fairness, although there is a diversity of thought in this group, it is likely that a good number of them support what is in their lessons.

      • Ex Jw

        And yes there will be, I believe, more than 144,000 ruling as kings and priest,after all,even if their are a million or more heavenly kings and priest; that is still a small number compared to all the BILLIONS of people who will live on earth during the millennial reign of Jesus Christ.

        • Peter K. (admin)

          Ex JW – Yes, that is a good point.

          As best as I can see though, numbers in Revelation are literal. I will watch that video later when I get a break. Thanks.

  • Ex Jw

    Peter K., here’s a link to a you tube video about the 144,000(I don’t know if I posted this here before or not?),any this explains what I believe better than words..http://youtu.be/D_JnephdlP8

  • Eph.4:11-13
    “And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, TO THE BUILDING UP OF THE BODY OF CHRIST; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.”

    1Cor.12:20,21
    “But now there are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”

    Clearly….those chosen to be “teachers, prophets, and apostles” are teaching, prophesying, and laying an immovable foundation, TO OTHER CHOSEN ONES.
    Chosen “Teachers”, teach the body of Christ…”for the building up OF THE BODY.”.

    When we read that the anointing teaches us truth,
    and we do not need others to teach us,
    we must not nullify Eph.4:11-13 or 1Cor.12:21 by a mistaken interpretation.

    The anointing (“Christos”) of Christs, does not occur outside the Body of Christ as it’s Head. The anointing brings us under Christ, in unity with all parts. As each one does it’s unique work as assigned, the entire body benefits.
    (This is the divine arrangement, which is not presently
    perceived nor obeyed. The Body is presently in Confusion.)
    Therefore,
    the correct interpretation of 1John2:20,27, is that we know the truth, if we “discern the Body” (1Cor.11:29,28,27,31) and respect it’s arrangement of it’s individual parts, by the anointment of God (1Cor.12:28).
    If all parts do this, they will collectively know the truth, grow to maturity, and have all it’s collective needs cared for, as each part does it’s work (including “teachers”).

    Eph.4:16
    “From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
    Rom.12:4,5
    “For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”

    It is not needed, for those OUTSIDE THE BODY OF CHRIST, who have NOT RECEIVED THE ANOINTING, to teach the Body.

  • Regarding who and where the anointed are, they can be anywhere.
    However,
    if they are to go through the final test and discipline by Christ,
    (under the genuine Chosen Steward, appointed by Christ himself
    over his household, who becomes the wicked slave -Luke12:42),
    it would seem that this gamut cannot be fully consummated today, outside the WT.
    Revelation is quite specific about who the genuine fallen star is,
    what “she” does with her power, and how her and her Gentile beast “conquer” the last of the Chosen (Rev.13:7; 11:2; Matt.5:13; Prov.25:26; Isa.51:23; Rev.2:20). Only by means of this full gamut to death, are the victors sealed (Rev.6:9-11; 12:10,11). The Pope, Patriarch of Constantinople, Dalai Lama, nor other religious Tzars today, make the claim of being genuine anointed ones, nor do they truly speak, teach, or understand the concept and it’s responsibilities toward the Body of Christ.
    I do not see them as fulfilling Christ’s prophetic description of end-time events.

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