The Spirit Bears Witness With Our Spirit -HOW THE ANOINTING PROCESS WORKS

If you were one of the disciples who had what appeared to be a tongue of fire rest on his head,you would never forget that day.  There would be no question in your mind that you were anointed  by holy spirit, especially if you also received the miraculous gift of speaking in a foreign language.  (Acts 2:6-12) But do all those who are anointed by holy spirit receive their anointing in the same spectacular manner as that first group of about 120 disciples did.  No.  The rest of those  who were present in Jerusalem that day received their anointing at their baptism.  (Acts 2:38)  There was no tongue as if on fire above their heads. Furthermore, not all anointed Christians receive their anointing at their baptism.  The Samaritans received their anointing by holy spirit sometime after their  baptism  .  (Acts 8:14-17) On the other hand, in an exceptional instance, Cornelius and his household were anointed by holy spirit  even before they were baptized. -Acts 10:44-48. 

So not all  are anointed in exactly the same manner.  Some may have had a  rather sudden realization of their calling, while others experienced a more gradual realization. However, no matter how this anointing takes place, each one has what the apostle Paul described:  "After you believed, you were sealed by means of him with the promised holy spirit, which is a token in advance of our inheritance." (Ephesians 1:13, 14)  This special operation of holy spirit becomes like a down payment, a guarantee (or, a pledge) of what is to come. An anointed Christian gain an inner conviction of this token that he or she has received. -Read 2 Corinthians 1:21, 22; 5:5.

Does the Christian who receives this token have a guaranteed future in heaven?  No. That person is sure of his invitation. But whether he finally receives his reward in heaven does not depends proving faithful to his calling.   Peter explained it this way:  "Therefore, brothers, be all the  more diligent  to make your calling and choosing sure for yourselves for if you keep on doing these things, you will by no means ever fail. In fact, in this way you will be richly granted entrance into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."  (2 Peter 1:10, 11)  Each anointed Christian must, therefore, struggle to remain faithful.  If he does not, his heavenly calling, or invitation, will be of no value to him. -Hebrews 3:1; Revelation 2:10. 

Next time: The Spirit Bears Witness With Our Spirit -HOW DOES SOMEONE KNOW?

From the jw.org publication