General Conference Bulletin, vol. 6

ANOINTED FOR SERVICE

E. W. FARNSWORTH

Friday Evening, May 21, 7:45 P. M.

In Hebrews 1:8, 9, we read: “Unto the Son he [the Father] saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.” GCB May 25, 1909, page 152.14

I am glad, indeed, brethren, that God the Son was anointed with the oil of gladness, not sadness. This is the kind of anointing that I am praying for—not simply that I may be glad; but I do know that at God’s right hand are pleasures forevermore, pleasures that have no sting. The joy of heaven is a joy that will not hurt any one. GCB May 25, 1909, page 152.15

There is another expression in the Scriptures that reads. “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” A man overcome with his grief is in a defeated condition. God does not desire his people to be sad and sorrowful, as the result of sin; he wants them to be happy, filled with joy and light all the time. GCB May 25, 1909, page 152.16

A careful analysis of our text reveals the prerequisites of this heavenly anointing. First, the One anointed loved righteousness; second, he hated iniquity. We must learn to love righteousness for righteousness’ sake, before we can hope to receive the anointing from on high. I know not when this statement regarding Christ was specially applicable,—whether at the time of the inception of Satan’s rebellion in heaven, or at some other time; but certain it is that at some time Christ manifested a great jealousy for righteousness and truth, and an inexpressible abhorrence of iniquity. As a Methodist minister once remarked, a good Christian must be a good hater—a hater of iniquity. If men hated sin more, they would not dabble with it so much. If they hated iniquity, they would not walk so near the danger-line. GCB May 25, 1909, page 153.1

And this is of primary importance to us in our ministerial work. In my own personal experience, dear friends, I find that I must have the approval of my own inner conscience before God; if I do not, I can not preach very much, and I can not pray with assurance. When I stand before God, I must know that I have done the best I could do; then I can look to him with confidence, knowing that he will help me to give a message to the people before whom I stand. GCB May 25, 1909, page 153.2

In a study of the types connected with the Levitical service, we may learn much regarding the meaning of the words, “God, even thy God; hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.” The rite of anointing those who were connected in some way with God’s work in the earth, may be traced all through the Scripture record. GCB May 25, 1909, page 153.3

The anointing of the priests who were set apart to minister in the earthly sanctuary, was full and complete. God specified that they should be anointed and consecrated and sanctified, “that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office.” Exodus 28. GCB May 25, 1909, page 153.4

David, in referring to this in Psalm 133, speaks of “the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments.” Notice the bountiful liberality implied in these words. To-day we may be assured that when God baptizes a man with the Holy Spirit, he does it bountifully. GCB May 25, 1909, page 153.5

Not only were the priests to be anointed; at the same time they were to be consecrated and sanctified. The marginal reading gives the Hebrew thought—“fill their hand.” The hand stands for work, for service. We speak of “hiring hands” to work on the farm. We often say, “Lend me a hand,” meaning the strength, the service. Those who were anointed to minister as priests, were anointed for service. The word sanctification has in it the meaning of setting apart for service, for holy use. It is in this sense that men can “sanctify themselves,” as the Israelites were so often enjoined to do. They were to set themselves apart for God’s service. And, just so, a man can give up his life to the propagation of a great truth. GCB May 25, 1909, page 153.6

Let us ever remember that the Levites who were anointed, were anointed for service. They were set apart, and they looked forward to naught but a life of continual service in the Lord’s work. GCB May 25, 1909, page 153.7

At the completion of the tabernacle in the wilderness, the anointing oil, at God’s direction, was put upon it. Thus it, and all the vessels thereof, as we are told in the fortieth of Exodus, were hallowed, and made holy. Note the thought of holiness in connection with this anointing. He who is holy, anointed, is God’s property. This was true of God’s prophets of old. “Touch not mine anointed,” God admonished his people, “and do my prophets no harm.” GCB May 25, 1909, page 153.8

When all had been anointed, the tabernacle was filled with the presence and glory of God. God accepted it, and took possession. GCB May 25, 1909, page 153.9

In the ninth chapter of Daniel the prophet speaks of anointing “the most holy.” This refers to the beginning of the service in the most holy. All along in the Scripture narrative we are constantly reminded that anointing stands for service. GCB May 25, 1909, page 153.10

Following this idea a little further, let us turn to Acts 10:38: “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good.” These are significant words. Somehow or other, we are prone to associate the receiving of the Holy Spirit with eloquent appeals from the rostrum. We think of the swaying of great multitudes by the eloquence of some one to whom has been given great power. But Jesus was anointed with the Holy Ghost and with power, and this led him to do a quiet work, in going about and doing good. Can not we do this much? Can not we care for the sick and the destitute, and speak words of cheer and hope to the despondent? Can not we place reading-matter in the hands of those who are inquiring concerning present truth? Can not we do faithfully, each day, the little duties that will smooth the way of those with whom we associate? Can not we scatter sunshine and kindly feeling wherever we go? Jesus went about doing good, after he was anointed with the Holy Ghost and with power. GCB May 25, 1909, page 153.11

Some one has said truly that power is the most dangerous thing that a man can have. And yet, my friends, the blessed Lord Jesus has promised his church all power—the power of God. “Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me ... unto the uttermost part of the earth.” “All power is given unto me,” he declared, “go ye therefore, and teach all nations.” God purposes to give to his servants power sufficient for the accomplishment of the work he gives them to do. And while this work that God’s people are to do to-day, demands “all power,” yet it is a quiet work. God taught Elijah this lesson, when, after mighty manifestations of power, he spoke to him in a still, small voice. The power that God gives for the doing of a mighty work in the earth, wisely directed, will accomplish wonders through frail human instrumentalities. GCB May 25, 1909, page 153.12

At times, when I hear reports of the progress of our work in the home field, I feel depressed rather than cheered. And why?—O because God has promised to anoint us for service; and if we would only arise to a fuller realization of our privileges, we might do a much larger work than we are now doing. Instead of using 30,000 copies of the Signs monthly, we might be using 1,500,000. We could; why don’t we? And yet we are waiting and praying and longing for the anointing of the Holy Spirit. If we should receive this anointing in its fullness, what would we we do with it? What use would we make of it? Do we desire this anointing simply to make us feel happy? O, let us remember, always, that this anointing stands for service, for consecration, for devotion to God and to his work all the time! And can we logically expect to be anointed until we are willing to do all that God wishes us to do? GCB May 25, 1909, page 153.13

If we wish to receive all that God has for us, we must give our all to God. “Give, and it shall be given to you.” “With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured unto you again.” Our consecration to God must be complete; it must include everything. O, may God help us to make full surrender of all that we have and are, that he may anoint us with his Holy Spirit, and grant us of the fullness of his power as we continue faithful in his service! GCB May 25, 1909, page 153.14