 What does it mean to be anointed? There is an ancient ritual recorded in both the Old and New Testaments. In this ritual, specially made oil was poured ceremoniously over the one who was being anointed. When the oil was poured, sprinkled or dabbed onto an object, animal, or person, the same was understood to be set aside for a special purpose. Kings were anointed, prophets were anointed, priests were anointed, special holy items and places such as altars were anointed. When a person was anointed, it was because they were being appointed to a divinely given place of leadership and influence. The oil was used to consecrate, purify, and mark them as unique servants of God. To anoint means to smear or rub. In other words, God was symbolically smearing his empowering ability or authority onto whatever or whoever was being anointed. The Old Testament oil was the shadow, the presence of the Holy Spirit is the substance. And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Today, we are anointed with the Holy Spirit.