Sent, appointed, assigned

“And I myself [John the Baptist] did not know him [Jesus], but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit’” John 1,33 (NIV)

The body of Christ. You’ve heard of this appellation, most probably.

The body of Christ is the church of Jesus Christ. It is the formation of all believers in Jesus Christ.

You might have also read or heard of this statement “in Christ”.

Indeed, Jesus is the Christ. Christ means ‘the anointed one of God’, the Messiah.

Every believer in the Lord Jesus is in Him. They are positioned in Him and God, the Father, sees them in Jesus Christ.

“But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him” (1 Corinthians 6,17)

“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3,26-28)

The baptism mentioned in Galatians 3,27 is a figure of speech. The moment a person gives their life to Jesus, they are immersed into Christ. And as such, all believers are equal and, collectively, they form one body.

If I can use the picture of a physical body to illustrate: the person of Christ is Jesus Himself and this person has a head and a body (neck to feet). Hence, the Bible tells us that Jesus is the head of the body (Colossians 1,18); Christ is the head of the church.

So, in essence, the church of Jesus Christ is not separate from Him. It is in Him.

"Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually." (1 Corinthians 12,27)

Why am I talking about the body of Christ ? The point is right ahead.

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

It is like the precious oil upon the head,

Running down on the beard,

The beard of Aaron,

Running down on the edge of his garments.

It is like the dew of Hermon,

Descending upon the mountains of Zion;

For there the LORD commanded the blessing – Life forevermore."  Psalms 133 (NKJV)

Psalm 133 is a beautiful psalm that pictures how the anointing (the oil) comes from the head down.

Aaron was a priest in the days of Moses. Today, believers too are priests and kings unto the Most High.

This means that we receive the same anointing (oil) from the Head, Jesus, the Anointed One.

Jesus said: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father” (John 14,12 NKJV). Jesus had to go to the Father so that the Holy Spirit (who is the anointing) may come to all who believe.

This is where being “sent” comes in. It is Jesus Christ who sends those who believe in Him to continue His work. And His work is manifold.

“There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all”

(1 Corinthians 12, 5-7 NKJV)

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1,5 (ESV)

It is true that God had each one of us in mind before we were ever born.

He appointed each of us for a specific purpose.

Being appointed talks about a specificity in function. And from these specificities, assignments are given. Assignments are like elaborated job descriptions. It is what a person is supposed to do.

Let’s take an example: Peter

Peter was chosen to be among the twelve apostles.

“And when it was day, He [Jesus] called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles: Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew” (Luke 6,13-14 NKJV)

And before ascending to heaven, Jesus left this assignment to Peter: Feed My lambs. Tend My sheep. Feed My sheep.

“So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep….”

(John 21,15-17 NKJV)

It's also important to note that Jesus repeated three times this question: do you love me?

Our service should be out of love for Jesus! We serve Him because we love Him.

And because He is the one we serve, we allow Him to determine how He wants be served.

Coming back to the conversation of "sent", being sent refers to being commissioned.

A person may have an assignment, be appointed for a particular course but God must give the green light to start operating. The green light means God releases His power and authority on the individual. It’s not just the generic power and authority that all believers have. But it’s power and authority for a particular function, office or responsibility.

In order to successfully function and fulfill the ministry upon our lives, we must be endowed with the power and authority of God. When sent, the person has the ability and the right to act in the way they should do.

Jesus told the disciples to wait for 'their green light': “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” (Luke 24,49). Until they receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1,4-5)

We can see a progression here: appointed, assigned and sent.

Additionally, the sent operates at different levels. From one level to another. This means there is always more in God: increase, growth and elevation.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5,17 (NKJV)

Now, I would not like you to exclude this whole narrative of ministry (service to God) as being exclusive to church activity as we know it. Verse 18 of the Scripture above says: “now all things are of God”.

As a new creation, all things are of God. This implies that there is no separation of ministry (church world vs secular world). Everything is of God.

Your body is of God. Your work is of God. Your marriage is of God. Your children are of God. Your business is of God. Your relationships are of God. Your part and role in the body of Christ is of God, etc.

The anointing of God is to permeate every area of life.

You are in Christ at all times and in every way.