The Anointing That Abides

"But the anointing which ye have received of Him abides in you, and YE NEED NOT THAT ANY MAN TEACH YOU: but as the same ANOINTING teaches you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it has taught you, you shall abide in Him." 1 John 2:27.

"The Greek gives us our third word for anointing, it is ‘chrisma’ and means: TO RUB IN. Here is an anointing that penetrates to inmost core, so that it totally changes the inner nature. It will not run off, nor be rubbed off, because being RUBBED IN, it becomes a part of the inner being. Yes, it abides and changes the inner being, we become spirit of His Spirit, "Joined unto the Lord in one spirit." (I Cor. 6:17)." — End quote.

With that understanding, could our text verse be true? Did the apostle really mean we do not have a need for any man or woman to teach us. Are we missing the mark to hear what the ministers of the Good News Gospel have to say? Was he honestly saying that it is only the anointing within that teaches us? If the answer to these questions is "yes" we might assume that John was telling us that there is no need for ministers of any kind. If so, he would have been opposing Paul in regards to what he wrote concerning the ministries of prophets, apostles, evangelists, pastors, and teachers (Ephesians 4:10).

If there was no need of men and women to preach the Word of God, it is unlikely Paul would have written: "...How shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent?" And "How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" Romans 10:14-15.

Even so, after reading this verse more than 40 years ago, I took the letter of that verse as I understood it in my carnal mind, thinking that I should withdraw myself from all fellowship and not receive from anyone. I assumed that I should receive the word directly from the anointing, straight from the Spirit of Christ that I had received in order for me to have a pure word to minister to others.

I, however, had not considered that regardless of how much the word I received from the anointing which abided in me, those on our mailing list and the congregations we traveled to should not listen to me. For they too would be as I supposed was right for me. "...Ye need not that any man teach you: but the anointing teaches you of all things."

Notwithstanding, after drawing away for hearing anyone in the body of Christ, and not having the expected anointed word to come to me as I had expected, and with no feeling of the presence of the Spirit of Christ whatsoever for at least a month, I realized that something was definitely wrong. That is when the Spirit impressed upon me:

"Everyone who has receive My Spirit is enlightened to a degree concerning My mysteries. They all have their part of the truth that the others may be lacking. They, therefore, must fellowship together in order to receive a complete word, not just a partial word that each individual receives from Me. If you cannot receive from others, what makes you think your word to them would be any better than theirs to you? If you will not hear from others, why should they hear from you? And whether you receive any truth from reading the scriptures, reading books, or from hearing others speak—it is by My anointing in you that quickens the word as you hear and learn." That was quite an eye opener.

You see, the problem does not reside in the hearing someone preach, teach, or prophesy, as I had errantly taken John’s word to mean. According to the scriptures, men are the primary dispatchers of truth, and very little would be heard without them. If He chooses to do so, God could divinely inspire the souls of every human being, and with one sweep of His hand miraculously enlighten them to all truth and save every one of them. That, however, is not the way he usually works. He has saved people in this manner, I was one of them, but it is not His general rule. He finds great pleasure in taking His time and working through Christ’s body of many members. That is the primary means He uses to call His creation back home.

Let us never for a moment think that we should cease from hearing others speak. It is good to give your ear to all God's. Much life can be had in their words. The issue is not in hearing others, but in not hearing properly. Jesus mentioned this in Luke 8:18, saying, "Take heed therefore how you hear."

All the members of the body of Christ can speak either by the anointing of His Holy Spirit or by their own spirit, and regardless by which spirit it is spoken, those hearing the message can likewise hear by the Holy Spirit or by their own spirit. If it is heard by the Holy anointing that abides within, it is then by that Spirit which will teach the hearers of the word. Although a man or woman presents the word of truth, it does nothing to anyone until the Spirit within quickens it and teaches that person. If the Spirit does not teach it, even if the person is speaking by the anointing, but the ones listening do not necessarily hear it by that anointing. It could be mere mental ascension. It would be carnal reasoning. This, of course, would be the letter that kills. And we know that there is no life in the letter alone, never has been, and never will be. So let us take heed, as Jesus warned, in how we hear. ( Luke 8:18 ) It is a very important issue. For instance, most people do not listen in order to understand; they listen to reply. Such are certainly not hearing by the anointing.

Moreover, when people isolate themselves with hopes of escaping the influence and the doctrinal pollution of men, they may be in for a surprise. I am not saying our Lord does not draw us away and unto Himself at various times, for He does. There are also occasions when He may separate us from fellowship, from listening to tapes, or reading anyone’s publications, a spiritual fast, if you please. Many today know by their own experiences this is true, as it happened to us for a period of 15 months. Some, however, separate themselves from the body when it is not the Lord doing it at all.

When "on my own" I withdrew from any sort of hearing what others in the body of Christ had to say, my intentions were good; but I was way off track, and I even had a scripture to back me, so I had thought. This was one of my first and finest lessons in the dangers of building upon an unstable foundation of a presumed truth. Other than having learned by my mistake, nothing was gained. I missed the target by a mile.

I suppose the first mistake I made was in not knowing that I was just as susceptible to error as the men and women I felt I no longer needed to hear. My own mind had a cunning way of sewing adamic thoughts, cherubim if you will, into the veil with those of Christ’s, that the stream of truth flowing through my earth could become muddied as well as with anyone else. I was sadly surprised when the small amount of word I had been receiving stopped altogether. If it had continued, I would have no doubt brewed an apothecary’s mixture. The very thing from which I tried to escape went with me into the wilderness to where I had fled. Try as I may, it was impossible to outdistance myself. I could not get away from my greatest and most deceptive enemy—myself.

Praise God, this deception lasted only a month or two before I knew what was happening. Since I had willingly severed myself from hearing God’s anointed men and women, God severed His word from me. Once I realized where the responsibility lay—which was in me and by the anointing of Christ—not only was I able to hear and receive from all the members of Christ’s Body, but that inner word began to flow again. It is now a true pleasure to hear the voice of my Father in every vessel of His wonderful body. It is good to know that those of His household are not useless utensils, but they all stand as vital parts in my life. Each one will help us all along if we let them. They are not here to slow us down, but to speed us up.

Since it is clear that no one can be an island unto themselves, that it is not just them alone with God who will save the world, and gathering themselves together with nominal churches is not the answer either. By doing so, they would most likely bring more division than union to the body of Christ. In their sincere, but sincerely misguided venture, rather than assembling, they can be disassembling themselves from Christ’s body. When they should be re-membering the body from whence they came, they are forgetting and dis-membering it. And please know that I am not suggesting that they should get involved with a home fellowship which can be no more than a microcosm of a large church that is steeped in error. I am saying to recognize the body of Christ and its members and not to refuse being in union or having true communion with them, and if there are none where you are, abide your time. Even when there is silence in heaven, and you are physically alone, the half hour of undetermined time will pass.

Most of those who call themselves Christians do not know the difference between assembling and gathering. The two words seem to be very much the same, but there is quite a difference. One is unto life and the other unto death. Ray Prinzing also wrote:

"It was not in the power of our own flesh and self-works to enter into the state of being where it can be said, ‘I AM.’ Only Christ can bring us into this UNION with Himself, to become ONE IN HIM. There is a path, it is found in HIM WHO IS 'The way, The Truth, and The Life' (John 14:6)." — End quote.

A good example of assembling unto life is the 120 at Pentecost. They were led together and met in one accord. It was then that they were filled with the Holy Spirit. We do not generally see this in church gatherings today. The Holy Spirit is really not the welcomed guest in some, and they are seldom in one accord from on High. They may be in one accord concerning their church's agenda, doctrines, decrees, picnics, and dogmas; but not being in one accord spiritually as on the day of Pentecost.

I do not believe I am wrong by saying that most church services are gatherings rather than assemblies. It is rare for everyone to be in one accord in the Spirit. For example, let us compare the many members of a congregation to an airplane that also has many members, or parts. Each member of the congregation and of the airplane serves its purpose that enables them to function efficiently. Paul said it this way: "From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." Ephesians 4:16.

With the plane, we can have all the parts of a new Boeing 747 gathered together in a pile on the assembly line, but not yet assembled. Who of us would think to hop on that pile of new parts and expect to be flown to Timbuktu or anywhere else in the world. Even though there are no parts lacking, that heap of plastic and metal would be more akin to a junk-pile than a jet airliner. It could not be flown whatsoever. However, when all those parts are properly assembled and filled with fuel (symbolically THE SPIRIT), they are in one accord. It is then that it would be possible to fly safely anywhere in the world.

We all have bought gifts for our children, and some of the boxes they came in were full of parts with notices that read, "Some assembly required." Well, dear gatherers, some assembly is required with you as well. We want to be portions of Christ’s manifested Body, this is good; but before the members can come forth and work, there is more to it than being gathered together, we must be assembled.

Since there are no meetings of like-minded people in their area, some think that they cannot be assembled with others. However, a collection of warm bodies are not necessary in order to be assemble. It is just as possible when isolated, sometimes more so. Being in one accord (one mind, and spirit) is the crucial point, not the gathering of bodies together with minds that think on the same religious level. It is not unusual for the brethren to be void of meetings of any kind; but this does not stop them from being assembled.

Although they would choose to gather as an assembly on a regular basis with like-minded-spiritual believers, they still do well being without it. They are satisfied when it is known that they fill their place and station in Christ’s Body while doing or not doing exactly what their Father bids. They may be physically detached from the Body, but they are spiritually connected. They may not be gathered with others, but they are assembled with them in Him.

Some may sit Sunday after Sunday in chapels and churches of 20 or so members, a 100 or more, or in cathedrals of 5,000 plus and not be assembled. Frankly, it would be remarkable if they were assembled. They sing in their usual choirs, teach their yearly Sunday-school classes for that week, preach firebrand sermons, and still may not be assembled, only gathered. What a difference! Just being there does not constitute a true assembly. Yet, we have often heard, "Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together as some are," which is good advice. They, of course, talking about going to church once a week, all the while, they believe they are assembling themselves together by simply going to church. and assume that those who are truly are assembled are not, and are surely forsaking that word to do so.

Those who are active in their churches may feel they are assembled, but this does not do it, as we have been seeing. Men and women can be full of "good works" but totally void of the assembled Spirit and Godly works of Christ.

It is not uncommon to see people gather for special meetings. Wherever a revival, a convention, ingathering, or out-of-town guest is speaking, many are there to hear the anointed word of God. Very often, however, after being filled, they go away without having digested what was ministered. Therewith, they fail to put into practice or grow by that which was delivered. They are suspected of being gathered rather than assembled. It is good to attend these meetings, we love to do so when we can; but the purpose of coming together can be wrong. What is the motive? Is it to enrich our lives and grow in the Lord, or simply to eat and get religiously fat by not hearing by the anointing that teaches?

Bob Torango gave this analogy a few years ago about people who are hearers of the word only and do not bring it to fruition, or manifestation. In essence he said:

"Like the amoeba, they flow through the corporate Body of Christ, engulfing and consuming all they can. They may be eating a rich diet of the word, but they still may not be members of that body, and they are not necessarily assembled in it. There is more to being a manifested son of God than consuming and believing present-day truths (by man's intellect). It is wonderful to believe God’s eternal truths. We have heard, however, that demons also believe, but it does them no good. James put it this way: 'Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?'" James 2:19-20.

The apostle did not say that the devils believe and embrace God’s truths, only that they believe there is one God. As for that, we know people who believe many things that we know to be true; but they are devils in the flesh. They were never thought those words of truth by the anointing.

We are grateful to have the believing parts of the body gathered in fellowship and meetings, yet without being assembled we can be lacking. When we are not assembled, we are not necessarily in one accord, and if not, we will be unable to manifest the cohesive substance of Christ. In addition, Paul did not say that creation was standing on tiptoe looking for a people with a new doctrine, or even the ‘right’ doctrine. The fact is, they could not care less about a blueprint of Christ’s body, or detailed instructions of how it is supposed to work. Don’t you think that they want to see it in operation, rather than having the Owner’s manual being read to them?

As profound as Jesus’ words were about His impending death, His resurrection, and the totality of humanity’s reconciliation to Him, they could not be compared to the actual events and grand fulfillment. Likewise today, creation is not asking to be told about the appearing of the Sons of God. They are anxiously waiting to see it! Manifestation is their hope of being delivered from the bondage of corruption. Great sermons and doctrines are not the answers to their death and decay.

It is good to know what God has planned for His creation; but that for which the world yearns is the substance to which the plan points. They do not care about being hypothetically or doctrinally saved—they want the reality of salvation, and that will be at the consummation of the assembling of Christ’s body.

Creation groans to made free from the bondage of corruption and death. Humanity hungers for their portion from the banqueting table of the Life. They cannot be filled by others reading a cook book to them, nor by reading the book themselves. People might drool over the pictures of succulent dishes in Martha Stewart’s cook book; but their appetites can not be sated until all the parts listed of the recipes are properly assembled and salted with fire.

People want a taste of reality. They are not looking for doctrines and dogmas. It is not in their interest to have their souls excited by the latest revelation or the strengthening and confirmations of their religious beliefs. There is a groan deep within humanity. The world is crying out for deliverance. Subconsciously they are looking to see the Lord coming in His corporate body, the manifested sons of God, if you please.

The world is anxious for something far greater than a superficial church and sermons about flying away to heaven or the threats of everlasting damnation and hellfire for those who don't join their ranks or lineup with their beliefs. They are weary of religious professions without possessions. They want nothing to do with such fluff and nonsense. They want to see the sons of God. They want to see the work of God’s hands, the ones who will sanctify His name and manifest His glory. In turn they will seek after God for themselves.

They will never, however, see the work of God in people who do not take heed in how they hear. They who separate and seclude themselves from the body of Christ while saying: "We need not that any man teach us—we will hear directly from on high for ourselves," will have little or nothing to offer anyone. Those who are not assembled, only gathered as the many parts of their religion, will have no functioning place with the elect of God in His Kingdom. They who are pulled away by their deceived imaginations from the living body of Christ, along with those who are gathered in their churches, will surely be found wanting.

On the other hand, if you are hearing the voice of our Father, you are learning as you abide in that place to which you have been called. Many have heard Him saying to come out of mystery Babylon, the mother of harlots, and they did. As it had been with them, likewise with you. When you leave the confines of man's churches, you will be joined to the Lord’s body. Whether you find yourselves in a crowd or alone in the desert or not, be sure to know—you are God’s workmanship, and He will place you in the Body where you fit perfectly. 1 Corinthians 12:18. Furthermore, you will remain there for the appointed time, but not forgotten, and neither will you be guilty of forsaking the assembling of yourselves together. You will be assembled with those who will come forth as the manifested Sons of God, the glorious presence and expression of Him on this planet!

"But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him. How much less this temple which I have built!" 1 Kings 8:27. Since King Solomon could not build a house that could contain God, then do we think that we can build one in which He would like to live? I think not! But in His assembled body, He is more than pleased to dwell throughout the ages, which is in you and me and all the others! And this is not the fulness of Him, only a small part of His grand plan He has for His Kingdom.

This is a tremendous day wherewith the mysteries are being taught by the anointing. They are impossible to describe in human terms; but they will be gloriously displayed by the sons of God for the whole world to see and then become partakers of that glory! What a much greater teacher, that of the anointing, rather than of man's alone whose days are numbered and coming to a an end!

Dear Brethren, churches and ministries will cease, and perhaps with a great noise. Even God's called ones to battle ready duty will end. As an example, I had a calling to become a soldier in the United States Army. After 3 years and 4 months of serving as my Company C's M-60 turret mechanic and the Tank Commander of my M88 VTR, it ended when I was honorably discharged with the rank of Specialist 5th Class. Even if I had made the army a carrier, after 20 years or so, it would have ended as well. Even the ministries of the ordained of God will end, not just the self-willed, manmade ones.

Therefore, look up dear anointed ones of the Lord. We are being assembled like the members in the valley of dry bones: After he prophesied the anointed words from God, there was a rattling noise from all across the valley, and a great assembly began to take place. The bones of each body came together and attached to each other as they once were. Then the muscles and flesh formed over the bones, and skin covered them; and they laid there with no breath (and in silence, perhaps for the space of half an hour). He then prophesied again the word of the Lord God saying: Come from the four winds, O Breath, O Spirit, and breathe upon these dead bodies, that they may live again. And as he had commanded the bodies began to breath; they lived and stood up—a very great army! Ezekiel 37:1-14 (Paraphrased).

You see, as long as those bones were only gathered in the valley, there was no body or life in them. They had nothing to give; but once assembled—they became a many membered army; such as, the many membered body of the manifested Sons of God that Paul wrote about in Romans 8:19!

So gather in churches houses if you will. It could be either good, bad, or indifferent, depending on each gathering and the spirit of the people; but never again think that "going to church" is assembling yourselves together, even though it can be. And neither think that those outside the camp of churches are forsaking the assembling of themselves together.

Therefore, whether you are inside or outside of steeple houses:

Elwin R. Roach