adminAlthough people commonly anointed in the Old Testament were prominent figures such as kings and priests whose election into office involved the pouring of oil on the head, the same scenario still exists today where people are still spiritually anointed through receiving of the Holy Spirit after they are baptised.
According to Roman 12 verses 5-8, this anointing or spiritual sanctification was also followed by the receiving of spiritual gifts from God to help baptised Christians participate in church activities or even minister to other non-Christians.
“So we the many are one body in Christ, and each one members of one another, but having different gifts according to the grace given to us, whether prophecy, according to the proportion of the faith; or ministry, in the ministry; or the one teaching, in the teaching; or the one exhorting, in the encouragement; the one sharing, in simplicity; the one taking the lead, in diligence; the one showing mercy, in cheerfulness,” reads Romans 12 verses 5-8.
In an article titled “Personal Reflections from My Own Grace Walk”, founder of Grace Walk Ministries, United States-based Dr Steve McVey, defined spiritual anointing as the act of anointing someone and was a bestowal of divine appointment and empowerment.
According to Dr Steve, when people are anointed, they receive special abilities needed to help them achieve work assigned to them by God.
“He (God) imparts a capacity that equips them to do more than they could ever do on their own. He chooses them and infuses them with his potential,” reads a statement from the article. Usually when discussing the subject of spiritual anointing, few people remember to mention the fact that one can also be anointed or spiritually gifted to be a gospel artiste.
Since artistes use art as a medium of communication, in gospel art, it is important for artistes to first be baptised Christians in order to be guided by the Holy Spirit of God in preaching the gospel through art.
While commenting on the subject of anointing, Kudzi Sithole of a gospel accapella group, Shower Power said gospel musicians need to be anointed by the Holy Spirit of God to be effective in converting souls to Christ.
“Gospel music as the name says is about the gospel or good news of Jesus Christ. You need the accompaniment and anointing of the Holy Spirit in order to convert souls to Christ. Unless the Lord gives the spiritual gift, the rest is just a show,” said Sithole
In his definition of spiritual anointing, Sithole said being spiritually anointed or gifted means possessing God-given talent for use in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
“Unless Lord gives the spiritual gift, the rest is just a show or mere entertainment. If you are not spiritually gifted musically, then one needs to find where their spiritual gift is,” added Sithole.
Dick Mukonori of a gospel group called Boys of Thunder concurred with Sithole but added that being spiritual anointed or gifted means being called to do a specific task for the gospel.
“It’s not possible to be a gospel artiste and not be spiritually gifted. Looking at our group, singing gospel music is a calling that we responded to. It’s a God-given gift that we accepted with a passion,” said Dick Mukonori.
While it may be difficult for some Christians to tell their exact calling after their conversion into Christianity, some theologians have suggested that people should be active members in their churches to help them identify their God-given talents.
Having said this, it is also important for aspiring gospel artistes to be well- versed in scriptures to help them give a true portrayal of the gospel to other seekers of God’s word.
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