03.11. Blood is Not Oil and Does Not Serve the Purpose of Oil.

4. Blood is not oil and does not serve the purpose of oil. In the process of cleansing the leper, after the blood of atonement had been put upon his ear, hand, and foot, oil was sprinkled before Jehovah, was put upon the blood on the ear, hand, and foot, and poured upon the head of the man being cleansed. It was the last act but one of the ceremony and without it cleansing was not complete (Leviticus 14:16-18). The same features found place in the consecration of priests (Leviticus 8:1-36). The king was consecrated by anointing with oil (1 Samuel 10:1; 1 Samuel 16:13 : 2 Samuel 5:3). Elisha was to be anointed as prophet (1 Kings 19:16). The Son of God was anointed at His baptism. Peter intimates what the oil signified and effected when he said of Jesus “God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and power,” so that “He went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him” (Acts 10:38). This anointing with the Spirit was distinct from that measure of the Spirit which had been the portion of the Lord Jesus all His private life. Its consequence was that “God was with Him” in a sense that was additional to the former fellowship with His Father. Its effect was an accession of spiritual energy for public service; He was anointed with the Holy Spirit and power, as it is written of that event, that “Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee” (Luke 4:14), and showed the power of the anointing in victory over disease, sorrow, Satan.*

[* These miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit, are to be evident prior to the return of our Lord, and the establishment of His Millennial Kingdom; they will accompany those who are empowered to preach the “gospel of the kingdom,” that is, the good news of Christ’s reign on earth in righteousness and peace. See Acts 1:8 and compare with Luke 21:15; Luke 21:19. This power of God will be necessary to withstand the false prophets - i,e, deceivers and servants of Satan; who may include some who are regenerate (Mark 13:12). - Ed.], In like manner the first disciples received power by the Holy Spirit coming upon them (Acts 1:8) and became mighty witnesses to Christ glorified. This anointing can be given to those only who have accepted the sprinkled blood as atonement for sin. But why are so many who do this without power to witness and serve? The solemn fact is undeniable:what is its reason? and what the remedy? Let each ask himself, Have I consented that my ear shall be marked with blood, so that I purpose to listen only and constantly to the voice of God? Have I dedicated my hand to do only His will, His works? Am I, as blood-bought, resolved to walk only in the footsteps of my Lord? Have I sought and received an anointing with the Spirit and power? Or do I suppose that all this took place when first I went to the altar and accepted pardon by blood?

It might have been thus, for so it was with Cornelius and his company (Acts 10:44-48); but was it so with you? Is the reader’s life as a believer marked by power or by weakness? Be not beguiled by theory, but receive the reality by faith. Dedicate your person to Christ to serve Him alone and wholly, so shall the anointing of oil be added to the blood, and you shall have power to know the mind of God (1 John 2:27), to go about doing good, to conquer the devil in your own life and in others. But be assured that blood without oil does not produce those blessed God-glorifying results. To service as prophet or priest or king the anointing with oil was a distinct and known event.