Anointed Appointed: The Truth About Cultish Leadership

Teaching and authority belong to the Most High alone. While He has used prophets, kings, and apostles to spread His message, ultimate wisdom and instruction come directly from Him. No man has the right to elevate himself above others and demand submission. The Most High provides direct access to His truth, removing the need for any self-proclaimed “anointed appointed” leader.

To date, I have only heard one “teacher” explicitly call himself “anointed appointed” to teach the Gospel (good news). However, many Christian preachers imply the same, just in different words. I am certain there are many more. My husband and I almost fell for the “Anointed Appointed” trap. Something about it never sat right with us. The Holy Spirit, which comes from the Most High, revealed why it disturbed our very souls. Before I get into that, let me tell you a story about what happened when my husband dared to question the meaning of “anointed appointed.”

A Simple Question, A Cultish Reaction

We were once active in a Messianic Torah observant group on Facebook. The group encouraged questions—so long as only “approved” individuals answered. Beware of any group where only one person controls the narrative. It’s a red flag for cult-like control and cult behavior.

One day, my husband, Todd, asked: “How does one know someone has been anointed and appointed to teach?”

Manny, the social media moderator, responded, “You decide for yourself…”

WE decide that someone is anointed and appointed to teach us? Wait….What?!!!

Todd clarified, “I mean, how do you actually know when someone is anointed to do anything?”

Instead of giving a real answer, Manny evaded the question, vaguely referring to “submitting to the authority” of the self-appointed rabbi. Before Todd could reply, he was blocked from the group and his question was deleted.

Hold the phone!! This is more cultish behavior…..unfortunately, that is not the only behavior that screams cult here. Buyer BEWARE!!

That extreme reaction told us everything we needed to know. Why is questioning the rabbi’s self-proclaimed authority forbidden? Why such defensiveness? The Holy Spirit from the Most High revealed the underlying control and manipulation at play.

The Allure of Community—At a Cost

Fellowship is powerful. We long for it too. We all have a need to belong to a group of like-minded people. But too often, people replace the Most High with a flawed man puffed up with pride and surrounded by yes-men.

This is not an attack on any one person, but a warning. Social media and YouTube present a curated “vision”—but not necessarily the truth. We must stay alert, prayerful, and listen to the Holy Spirit to avoid falling into deception (Psalm 141:9).

Who Is the True Anointed One?

Moses, Yeshua and the Prophets are THE only Anointed Ones. That is one of Yeshua’s titles in the Torah and the Prophets.

If a man calls himself “anointed appointed,” he is claiming to be a Messiah. Afterall, Messiah means “anointed one.” So when someone is claiming to be the “anointed appointed,” that should raise serious concerns.

Some may say I’m nitpicking. But am I? Let’s examine what’s happening in the Messianic community. Many followers submit to the authority of self-proclaimed “anointed appointed” teachers, surrendering their discernment.

Whose Authority Do We Submit To?

Are we supposed to submit to men? No—except for a wife submitting to her husband’s protection and guidance, but more on that in another post.

David, as a shepherd boy, communicated with the Father directly. So did Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Noah, and the Prophets. Why, then, do we suddenly need a self-appointed “rabbi” as an intermediary?

Yeshua Himself warned against such structures:

“But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.” (Matthew 23:8-12)

Yet, some teachers twist this passage to justify their authority, claiming it applied only to Yeshua’s disciples. But does His warning not still apply today?

It is not about submitting to authority, it is a matter of whose authority we should be submitting to.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

We don’t need a rabbi. We have the Holy Spirit, given by the Most High, to guide us into all truth.

“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth.” (John 16:13)

“But the anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you.” (1 John 2:27)

Scripture establishes truth through two or three witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15, Matthew 18:16). Yeshua’s disciples believed His words applied beyond their time. Shouldn’t we?

The Cultish Trap vs. A Healthy Congregation

A healthy congregation encourages questions, testing, and accountability.

• Leaders serve rather than exalt themselves.
• Members are free to study, discuss, and seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
• No one is silenced for questioning authority.
• Scripture remains the ultimate authority.

An unhealthy, cultish group operates differently:

• The leader is unquestionable. Any challenge is met with punishment.
• Followers submit blindly. Personal discernment is discouraged.
• Truth is controlled. Members are told what they can and cannot believe.
• Fear and shame enforce obedience.

These cult behaviors mirror the warnings in Deuteronomy 13 about false prophets. No one is above questioning—not teachers, not leaders, not even Paul. Cult behavior thrives where questioning is suppressed.

Test Everything

We must test all teachings against Scripture. The Torah is the truth. Listening to too many self-proclaimed teachers drowns us in confusion.

We nearly fell for an “Anointed Appointed” teacher. Others have fallen even harder. If a teaching contradicts Scripture, we must set it aside and seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Test all things, no matter the source.

Want to learn more about cult behavior? Check out “Take Back Your Life: Recovering from Cults and Abusive Relationships” by Janja Lalich. It’s an eye-opener.

Stay Vigilant

Don’t be deceived by charismatic leaders claiming divine authority. Your true Anointed Appointed Teacher is the Holy Spirit, given by the Most High. Stay prayed up, study the Word, and question everything. If a leader reacts in anger when questioned, ask yourself—what are they hiding?

Recommended Tools for Your Spiritual and Health Journey

If you are searching for an assembly where questioning anything the Bible does not result in abuse, I encourage you to check out Ross K Nichols’ Youtube. He also has an after-class discussion that you can get in on if you are a subscriber. If you are not a subscriber, you can still watch an hour of the after-class discussion on this Youtube channel: Horeb

If you’re serious about nourishing your body and soul, consider investing in a quality grain mill and bread machine. Freshly milled grain makes a huge difference in homemade bread! Check out my top picks on Amazon:

• Best Mixer: Kitchen Aid Mixer
• Best Grain Mills: Mockmill grain mill , Kitchen Aid Grain Mill Attachment , WONDERMILL Manual Hand Grain Mill
• Best Bread Machine: Zojirushi bread machine
• Best Dehydrators: Commercial Large 10 Trays Food Dehydrator, COSORI Food Dehydrator for Jerky, Magic Mill Pro Food Dehydrator Machine , Excalibur Electric Food Dehydrator, Excalibur EXC10EL Electric Food Dehydrator
• Best Blender: Vitamix 5200 Blender

Also, don’t forget to browse my other articles and recipes for more inspiration on healthy living and spiritual growth!

How to Make Whole Wheat Bread in a Bread Machine(Opens in a new browser tab)

Bug-Free Grains: How to Keep Your Bulk Grains Safe and Sound(Opens in a new browser tab)

Grains in Bulk: Healthier, Cheaper, and Sustainable(Opens in a new