Lesson 9: The Anointing of the Holy Spirit & The Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Divine Empowerment for Ministry and Spiritual Service
By Apostle Howard Tundu
1. Introduction
The work of ministry is impossible without the Holy Spirit. Jesus told His disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high (Luke 24:49). The anointing and the gifts of the Spirit are God's way of equipping believers to fulfil His purposes—whether in preaching, teaching, leading, healing, serving, evangelizing, or building His Church.
This lesson clarifies:
- • What the anointing is
- • Who qualifies for the anointing
- • How the anointing is received
- • Whether the anointing can be lost
- • Spiritual gifts and how they operate
- • Fivefold ministry gifts
- • How to walk and remain in the anointing
2. Understanding the Anointing
2.1 What Is the Anointing?
The anointing is the powerful enabling presence of the Holy Spirit upon a person to accomplish God's assignment.
Biblical examples:
- • Jesus: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me…" (Luke 4:18).
- • David: "From that day on the Spirit of the Lord came upon David powerfully" (1 Samuel 16:13).
- • Apostles: "You shall receive power…" (Acts 1:8).
Key truth:
The anointing is not an emotion, a title, or a church atmosphere. It is a divine empowerment to function beyond human ability.
2.2 Is the Anointing the Same as the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is the Person; the anointing is His operation through a believer.
- The Holy Spirit: is the Person; the anointing is His operation through a believer.
- Indwelling: The Holy Spirit dwells IN the believer for salvation and transformation.
- Upon: The anointing is the Holy Spirit coming UPON the believer for service.
Example: Jesus was conceived by the Spirit (IN Him) but anointed at baptism (UPON Him) – Luke 3:22; Luke 4:1; 4:18.
Relationship: Where the Holy Spirit is welcome, the anointing flows. The anointing is the expression of the Spirit's power.
3. Who Qualifies for the Anointing?
Every believer qualifies, because:
- • The promise is to all (Acts 2:38–39)
- • God gives gifts "as He wills" (1 Corinthians 12:11)
- • Sons and daughters shall prophesy (Joel 2:28)
Qualifications in Scripture:
- • Born again (John 3:3–6)
- • Obedient and yielded to God (Acts 5:32)
- • Hungry and thirsty for God (Matthew 5:6)
- • Committed to holiness and purity of heart (2 Timothy 2:21)
- • Humble and teachable spirit (James 4:6)
4. How Is the Anointing Received?
4.1 Through the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit
Every believer receives the Holy Spirit at salvation (Romans 8:9). This brings the inner anointing for character transformation and spiritual life. However, this is separate from the Holy Spirit Baptism which empowers for service in the Church.
4.2 Through the Baptism of the Holy Spirit
This is the empowering anointing for ministry—the Holy Spirit comes upon a believer. It often comes:
- • Through prayer and waiting (Luke 11:13; Acts 1:14; Acts 2:1–4)
- • Through laying on of hands (Acts 8:17; Acts 19:6)
- • Through a deep hunger for God (John 7:37–39)
- • Can happen at salvation or later after salvation (Acts 8 & 19 examples)
4.3 Through Consecration
Those set apart for ministry often experience a fresh flow of anointing (Acts 13:2–3).
4.4 Through Faith
Galatians 3:5 shows that God supplies the Spirit and works miracles among His people when they believe what they hear—hearing with faith.
5. Can the Anointing Be Lost?
Yes—Scripture gives warnings.
Examples:
- • Samson lost the anointing due to sin and carelessness (Judges 16:20).
- • Saul lost the anointing because of disobedience and rebellion (1 Samuel 16:14).
How the Anointing Can Be Lost:
- • Persistent sin
- • Disobedience to God
- • Pride (1 Peter 5:5)
- • Neglecting spiritual disciplines (2 Timothy 1:6 – "stir up the gift")
- • Grieving or quenching the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:19)
6. How to Keep Walking in the Anointing
- Holiness and obedience: Purity keeps the vessel usable (2 Timothy 2:21).
- Daily fellowship with the Holy Spirit: Through prayer, worship, and the Word (Ephesians 5:18–19).
- Humility: Pride blocks grace; humility attracts more grace (James 4:6).
- Service and faithfulness: The anointing grows as you serve (Luke 16:10).
- Stir up the gift: Paul instructed Timothy to "fan into flame" the gift (2 Timothy 1:6).
- Guard your atmosphere and associations: Wrong companies drain spiritual life (1 Corinthians 15:33).
- Renewed infillings: Acts 4:31 shows believers were filled again.
7. Spiritual Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Text: 1 Corinthians 12:7–11
7.1 How Are Spiritual Gifts Received?
- • By the will of the Spirit (v. 11)
- • Through impartation (Romans 1:11; 1 Timothy 4:14)
- • Through desire and pursuit (1 Corinthians 14:1 – "earnestly desire spiritual gifts")
- • Through faithful service—gifts often manifest as you serve
7.2 The Nine Gifts Explained
(A) Revelation Gifts – Spiritual insight
- Word of Wisdom: God-given solution for the now or future problems; divine strategy. Operation: sudden clarity about the right course of action.
- Word of Knowledge: Supernatural knowing of facts presently true. Operation: knowing hidden details, personal situations, or conditions.
- Discerning of Spirits: Ability to perceive the spiritual source—whether from Holy Spirit, human spirit, or demonic spirit. Operation: sensing presence, motives, or spiritual atmospheres. It can involve seeing into the spirit realm to identify the source of a particular spiritual encounter.
(B) Power Gifts – Spiritual demonstration
- Gift of Faith: Special faith to believe for the impossible. Operation: unshakeable confidence in specific divine outcomes.
- Gifts of Healings: Grace to cure diseases; operates in measures and specialties. One person may sometimes not be able to be successful with every disease. There is need to allow various gifted people in the healing gifts to be of benefit to the churches. Operation: healing through prayer, touch, or spoken word. Sometimes the believer can initiate healing through reaching out in faith.
- Working of Miracles: Supernatural interventions that suspend natural laws. Operation: multiplying resources, instant changes, creative miracles.
(C) Vocal Gifts – Spiritual utterance
- Prophecy: Speaking God's mind for edification, exhortation, comfort. Operation: inspired speech, correction, encouragement. This is not premeditated but Holy Spirit inspired utterance or writing of a Holy Spirit inspired sermon/speech to address a need.
- Tongues: Speaking in unknown languages by the Spirit. Operation: devotional tongues, prophetic tongues, intercessory tongues. Jesus also operated in intercessory tongues - Romans 8:26; Mark 7:34. Paul talked about prophetic tongues in 1 Cor 14 when he mentioned that someone can speak in tongues and allow interpretation when others are listening and paying attention.
- Interpretation of Tongues: Ability to interpret what was spoken in tongues. Operation: turning tongues into understandable message.
8. Differences Between Gifts
- • Revelation gifts reveal.
- • Power gifts demonstrate.
- • Vocal gifts speak forth.
- • Gifts are distributed differently—no one has all (1 Cor. 12:29–30). They can however be desired (1 Cor. 12:31)
- • Gifts operate as the Spirit wills, not as we will.
- • Gifts are tools, not marks of spiritual maturity. (Character is the real measure.)
9. The Fivefold Ministry Gifts (Ephesians 4:11–13)
The fivefold ministry are offices, not gifts only. They are people Christ gives to the Church for equipping.
9.1 Apostles
Pioneers, foundation layers, Visionary church planters and guardians of Doctrinal truth. Carry authority to establish new realms.
9.2 Prophets
Speak God's mind; confirm divine direction. Help bring revelation, guidance, correction, and insight.
9.3 Evangelists
Soul-winners; carry burden for the lost.
9.4 Pastors
Shepherds who nurture, counsel, guide, and protect the flock. Feed believers with the Word of God.
9.5 Teachers
Establish believers in helping understand the Word and enlightenment. Ensure accuracy and stability in the Word.
10. How the Fivefold Operates
- • Apostles govern.
- • Prophets guide.
- • Evangelists gather.
- • Pastors guard.
- • Teachers ground.
All are meant to work together to produce a mature Church.
11. Dangers to Avoid
- • Using gifts without love (1 Cor. 13)
- • Pride in spiritual operations
- • Manipulation or performance-driven ministry
- • Neglect of character
- • Counterfeit spiritual manifestations
- • Serving without accountability
12. Practical Steps to Grow in the Anointing and Gifts
- • Pray deeply and consistently
- • Spend time in Scripture
- • Serve faithfully in small tasks
- • Stay under spiritual authority
- • Desire the gifts earnestly
- • Practice sensitivity to the Spirit
- • Maintain purity
- • Keep humility
- • Grow in love
13. Conclusion
The anointing and gifts of the Holy Spirit are divine resources entrusted to believers for the glory of God and the building of His Church. They are not for self-exaltation but for service, compassion, and demonstrating Christ to the world.
Every believer has a place, a grace, and a gift. As you walk with the Holy Spirit, the anointing increases, the gifts sharpen, and your calling becomes clearer.
May we be faithful stewards of the anointing and spiritual gifts God has placed upon our lives.