[SERay]

A. W. Tozer used this phrase? I have read most his books and don't recall him using this phrase? The phrase "Special Anointing" is commonly a charismatic term used in off-tangent ministries. In its correct use, I have always understood it to mean either one who is expressly gifted in a certain area or a Christian who is indwelt with the Holy Spirit. Not that that person is exclusively anointed as Elijah was, although modern false prophets overly use this terminology with personal appointments.

Kenneth E. Hagin for example, alleges to have has a personal meeting with the resurrected Christ. In this encounter (he claims to have had eight such meetings), Jesus lays His hands on him and personally ordained him into the healing ministry. Not only does Jesus ordain Hagin, He then equips Kenneth a "Special Anointing." This anointing is so special, it is not found anywhere in the Bible. William Branham and Oral Roberts also made similar claims.

“And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ [Anointed]; and shall deceive many. ” Mark 13:5-6

The only time the word "special" is used in the New Testament is in relation to the special miracles that God wrought by the hands of the apostle Paul in Acts 19:11. They were unique one time occurrences. From the Biblical record this was the only time something like this happened in the ministry of Paul, much like Peter's casting shadow in Acts 5:15. Secondly, it is important to note that the account in Acts 19:11 does not refer to the anointing at all. It says God rendered special miracles, not, God gave Paul a special anointing.

Marilyn Hickey is well known to use this favorite buzz word of the mystical initiated. She promoted an article in the magazine "Outpouring" that encouraged people to send in at least $15.00 for a small metal vial which had supernaturally charged anointing oil. She claimed to had personally prayed over it with a "Special Anointing" to fix relationships, financial difficulty, and a small list of commonly listed prayer needs. This is one of many shameless gimmicks which are geared towards gaining money from the gullible and desperate.

God’s desire for his people is not the seeking of the "spectacular and exciting" as false prophet offer. God wants us to seek the complete indwelling of Jesus - not some special power or impartation. Equally, God wants our revelations to come from him, not from a "special impartation" via a traveling prophet as is common among the Charismatic camps. It is wise advise not to go forward at any gathering to receive an "impartation" or "special anointing" from those who claim special gifting. Many who have done so have later found that what they received was a malevolent spirit that was not of God.

A New Testament Christian is indeed anointed, not with literal oil, but by the Spirit of God—an anointing that sets him apart for his ministry as one of God's priests (1 Peter 2:5, 9). It is not necessary for us to pray for "an anointing of the Spirit"; if we are a Christian, we have already received this special anointing. This anointing "abides in us" and therefore does not need to be imparted to us. The anointing (the Holy Spirit) abides in us, and we should abide in the Spirit (1 John 2:27). As we abide in the Word and in the Spirit, we also abide in Christ (1 John 2:28).