The Annointing of the Holy Spirit

For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit....but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you....(Acts 1).

What does it mean to "be baptized with the Holy Spirit?"  What kind of "power" do we receive with the annointing of the Holy Spirit?

By pondering the words of Proverbs 2, 3, and 4, we can begin to glimpse some practical applications of being annointed with the Spirit of Jesus.  Prov. 2: 6:

For the Lord gives wisdom,

and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 

He holds victory in store for the upright,

he is a shield to those who walk is blameless,

for he guards the course of the just

and protects the way of his faithful ones.

Then you will understand what is right and just

and fair---every good path.

For wisdom will enter your heart,

and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.

Discretion will protect you,

and understanding will guard you.

....for they will prolong your life many years

and bring you prosperity.

....then you will win favor and a good name

in the sight of God and man (Prov.3:4).

...this will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones (3:8).

...then your barns will be filled to overflowing,

and your vats will brim over with new wine (3:10).

[Wisdom] is a tree of life to those who embrace her;

those who lay hold of her will be blessed (3:18).

These chapters of Proverbs promise wisdom to those who seek it, and wisdom (or the annointing of the Holy Spirit, who is Wisdom) carries "in her right hand" many blessings:  prosperity, straight paths, protection, a good name, health, nourishment, longevity, riches and honor, peace, pleasant ways, a tree of life, etc.

This is the kind of power given with the annointing of the Spirit---the same kind of power Jesus Himself had on earth:  power to overcome evil, even while suffering from it; understanding of the ways of men; confidence in God as our shield and protector; freedom from worry about the future; peace for each day's tasks; the power to laugh in the face of adversity because of knowing that God cannot fail us..

You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you..and so the disciples gathered together for nine days awaiting "the Gift of the Father" that Jesus had promised them.  What if when we gather together, we would be also waiting for the Promised Gift?