The Anointed-Dr. Phil Spears

By Dr. Phil Spears

The Scriptures reveal a consistent and unmistakable pattern: in every dispensation of time, God has always raised up one man to lead His people. This man is known in the Word and in the divine order as the Anointed Leader. He is not chosen by men, elected by popularity, or installed by institutions — he is appointed by God, endowed with divine revelation, and entrusted with the program of God for his generation.

The Anointed Leader is appointed for life and may be removed only by the sovereign act of God in accordance with His will, or by reason of sin — and then only through the unanimous agreement of the Council of Apostles and Elders. This is because the office itself is not man-made; it is God-ordained. Its authority does not flow upward from people, but downward from heaven.

The Servant Who Rules the Household

Jesus Himself identified this divine office:

“Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.”— Matthew 24:45–46

Here Jesus reveals that the ruler over the household of God — the Church — is one man, called a servant, yet entrusted with rulership. His peculiar responsibility is to “give them meat in due season.”

The Anointed Leader is the steward of heaven’s table.

It is his responsibility to bring forth the Word that is in season — not merely truth in general, but truth for that hour. The type of food, the measure of food, and the timing of the food are all determined by God and delivered through His appointed servant. Different seasons require different nourishment, and the Church lives not by yesterday’s manna but by present revelation.

The Office of Seasonal Direction

The primary function of the Anointed Leader in New Testament order is to provide seasonal direction and sustenance to the Church. He alone bears responsibility before God for the prophetic course of the people. While others contribute counsel, wisdom, and gifts, the final responsibility for direction rests upon the one God has appointed.

This is not a matter of superiority — it is a matter of accountability.

The Anointed Leader is the man to whom God speaks directly concerning the path the Church must take in that hour.

Noah: A Pattern of the Anointed Leader

We see this principle in Noah.

Noah did not hold a committee meeting to decide how to respond to the coming judgment. God spoke to Noah. God gave Noah the pattern. God gave Noah the measurements, the materials, and the timeline. Noah then led the household of faith into obedience, and his obedience became their salvation.

Grace found Noah — and Noah’s obedience preserved many.

James: The Anointed Leader of the Early Church

In the New Testament, James functioned as the Anointed Leader of the Church.

In Acts 15, James rendered the final judgment that set the prophetic direction of the Church regarding the inclusion of the Gentiles. Though Peter had revelation and Paul had a unique apostolic calling, it was James who articulated the will of God for the season.

Paul himself recognized this authority:

“…I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel… lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.”— Galatians 2:1–2

Even Paul submitted his work to the discernment of the Anointed Leader of that hour.

In Acts 21, James instructed Paul to submit himself to purification rites in the temple — not because Paul was wrong in doctrine, but because James understood the seasonal necessity of preserving unity and testimony among the Jews.

And in Acts 12, Peter instructed that his situation be reported to James — recognizing him as the steward of direction for the Church.

The Anointed Leader in the Last Days

Jesus confirms that this office would continue until His return:

“Verily I say unto you, that he shall make him ruler over all his goods.”— Matthew 24:47

When Christ returns, He will find a man whom He has appointed faithfully feeding His household with the Word and will of God.

The Nature of the Anointed

The Anointed Leader can best be described as:

• A man chosen by God for a particular dispensation

• A man spoken to directly by God

• A man entrusted with the revelation necessary for that hour

• A man who understands the portion of God’s program assigned to him

• A man accountable to heaven for the direction of the Church

He does not replace Christ — he represents Christ’s government in the earth for a time.

He does not exalt himself — he bears the burden of divine responsibility.

He does not lead by force — he leads by revelation.

And through him, God brings His people into alignment with His unfolding purpose until the climax of His program is complete.