And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance
Acts 2:3-4
Peter, the apostle was transformed into a powerful preaching apostle who was able to lead thousands of people to great conviction and repentance. You must remember that Jesus had breathed on Peter a few days earlier and he had already received the Holy Spirit. “Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost” (John 20:21-22)
The change in anointing levels suddenly transformed Peter’s life. There is a change in the anointing level that will transform you from a weakling into a bold minister. This is the anointing that fell on the day of Pentecost, transforming Peter and others into bold ministers of the gospel. The people were astonished when they saw the effect that the change in the anointing level had made on Peter’s life.
The story of Pentecost shows us three wonderful keys that will bring about a change of anointing levels for anyone who cares to receive it.
1. A conviction will lead to a change in anointing levels.
Now when they heard this, they were PRICKED IN THEIR HEART, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
Acts 2:37
‘Convictionless’ people cannot receive the anointing. The crowds who heard Peter preaching were pricked in their hearts. This means that they were convicted about what they heard.
Many people are not convicted in their hearts about the importance of the anointing. I know deep down in my heart that there is nothing about me that can make anything work, except the anointing. It is a deep conviction I have that makes me keep searching and speaking about the anointing. Most people do not believe that the anointing is really what is working. Many people think in their hearts, “He is just lucky.’ Many people think to themselves, ‘It is because he is American, that’s why his ministry is successful.’ Many people think; ‘Oh he has a lot of money, that is why it is working for him.’
2. Asking questions will lead you to a change in anointing levels.
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, WHAT SHALL WE DO?
Acts 2:37
Anointing comes when you start asking questions – when you ask about solutions to real problems you want to solve. ‘Men and brethren what shall we do?’ Most pastors do not ask these questions. When you are in Bible School, you often do not ask certain questions. Going out onto the mission field and doing the work in reality will bring up certain questions. As you begin asking yourself the right questions, you will be led to the anointing. It is almost impossible to make someone who is not thirsty drink water. It is thirst, hunger that drive a person to seek for the water that he needs. Young and presumptuous people who assume that they can do everything are filled with useless pride and never ask the right questions.
When I began my church, I really wanted to know how to make the church grow. I wanted to know how I could heal the sick. I wanted to know how Kathryn Khulman and Benny Hinn became as anointed as they were. When I began to ask the right questions about the ministry, I began progressing towards a higher anointing level.
Asking foolish questions will not lead you to the anointing. Many people ask foolish questions like, ‘Where do you live? What car do you drive? Don’t you ever get tired?’ These are foolish questions because they have no bearing on the anointing. Others also ask questions like, ‘How are you able to maintain your zeal all these years? How are you able to write the books you do? How are you able to combine the ministry with other aspects of life?” You see, the answers to these questions can be the contents of an entire four hundred-page book. How are you expected to genuinely answer these questions in one minute?
Instead of asking interview questions to just make a person speak to cover the time, you must in your heart ask genuine questions that will help your spiritual life to develop. The answers to the questions should open you up to the anointing.
A foolish question is also a question whose answer you are not really interested in. Why are you asking questions that you are not really interested in? People ask me questions about the things that I have already written about. When I point to the books they lose interest. This means they were not really interested in getting an answer to their question.
3. A change of mind will lead to a change of anointing levels.
Then Peter said unto them, REPENT, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 2:38
A change of mind is necessary if you are to receive a change of anointing levels. Peter asked the people to repent so that they could receive the Holy Ghost. Without repentance you cannot receive the power of the Holy Ghost.
Repentance speaks of a change of mind. Repentance speaks of a new way of thinking. As you turn around in the way you think and believe, you will discover a change in the level of anointing.