So how does one get to be annointed--theoretically and in actual practice?
There was a magnificent series of posts by "AMAZING" on this subject a couple of years ago.
Essentially the matter of "being anointed" comes down to this:
Roman 8 - 15 For YOU did not receive a spirit of slavery causing fear again, but YOU received a spirit of adoption as sons, by which spirit we cry out: “Abba, Father!” 16 The spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 If, then, we are children, we are also heirs: heirs indeed of God, but joint heirs with Christ, provided we suffer together that we may also be glorified together.
It is very personal, according to WTS dogma. A person is selected by God and they know it.
What this breaks down to is that a person SAYS they are selected by God, and no one can say they aren't.
There are plenty of people in congregations around the world who claim to be anointed but who fail to manifest any of the "fruitage of the spirit." Still, they are not officially challenged on this. It is felt that if a person is knowingly making a false claim in this regard, he is accountable to God.
Being "anointed" brings no special priviledges, and in the JW mindset brings many obligations. The WTS teaches that the ministry is an obligation of the anointed, not an obligation of the earthly "other sheep." (This is seldom emphasised much when the congregation is looking to increse the numbers on their monthly report to HQ.)
Some of those who claim to be "anointed" are carried away by emotion. Some are neurotic or psychotic. Some genuinely believe that they have a special relationship with God.
Our friend AMAZING, mentioned above, was one of the latter. He was relatively "new in the truth" and young when he first felt he had this calling. Some took offense at his claim at first - one elderette said that if God was going to call anyone, He would call HER before he would call a person like AMAZING.
AMAZING's claim was also challenged by circuit servant - oddly enough, one who did not claim to be anointed himself. He subjected AMAZING to a little "test" to see for himself if AMAZING's claim was valid.
AMAZING passed his test.
Years later, AMAZING outgrew the Watchtower Society and their delusional spiritual hierarchy, and he no longer claims to be anointed.
Bottom line is this: if you want to be "anointed," just say you are, and begin partaking at the annual Memorial.
