Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. - James 5:14,15 KJV.
How do you understand this verse? Surely elders aren't "faith healers"?
2007-09-29 14:00:22 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
God is the healer, never man. Man may be an instrument for healing but it is God who does it. These verses are part of God's word. He cannot lie. So those verses are true. But be aware of the things that block healing. Also God's will is spiritual healing above all things.
2007-09-29 14:13:34 · answer #1 · answered by pshdsa 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
About elders read 1 Timothy 2:5, 5:17 and Mat16:18
Oil: One of the best known ancient medicines (referred to by Philo. Pliny and the physician Galen. See also Isaiah 1:6 and Matt 10:34
Some believe that James may be using the term medicinally in this passage. Other.s however, regard its use here as an aid to faith, and outward sign of the healing to be brought about by God in response to "prayer offered in faith" in verse 15 (See also what Mark 6:13 says)
I believe that this refers to the laying on the hands like Jesus did on Luke 4:40 and see Acts 8:18-
In Tim 5:22- Paul is speaking of the ordination of an elder, which should not be performed until the candidate has had time to prove himself
I believe in the laying on the hands, why it works sometimes and sometimes it does not seem to be working, I do not know. But our drink offering should not ever be a bitter one, or Christ will not receive it. ( Eph 2: 16-18 )
2007-09-30 01:52:28 · answer #2 · answered by Nina, BaC 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Earliest form of sacrament for the "Anointing of the sick." The elders were called because of the need for someone to pray well. When praying to be healed, you must believe that you have received the answered prayer in faith. But, as we all know, sometimes the answer is no for whatever reason but just keep faith in God.
2007-09-29 14:07:42 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
What does, "...save the sick..." mean? Does this mean, "make them well," or "remove their sickness"? Not necessarily. If you read it in the context of a "death bed conversion," if you will, it simply says that God will ALWAYS honor the true repentance and "prayer of faith" of an unbeliever, even if it is right at the moment of death.
The sick person "calls for the elders," through which we can see a genuine desire to confess his or her sins and accept Christ. The "prayer of faith" is the sick person's prayer for salvation, not just the prayers of the elders for healing.
Perhaps in this scene, the elders' presence would serve to comfort the family of the departed as they can give testimony to the sick (now dead) man's conversion. Christians perhaps feel the deepest grief when we see the death of a non-believer because we know their fate. But here, a sick man who is brought to repentance in the last moments of his life is exhorted to bring the elders in so that the testimony of his salvation can be attested to for the sake of the other believers, to turn their grief to joy at his new eternal destiny in heaven.
2007-09-29 14:18:14 · answer #4 · answered by he_returns_soon 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Their sickness was that of a spiritual nature as they had become spiritually downhearted and could easily fall back into a pattern of wrongdoing. They were grieving and were in need of encouragement from those mature Christians. If they had committed sin they could be reassured that they would be forgiven if they were sorry and wanted to overcome their wrong. The prayer of faith along with scriptural support could help them to gain strength in continuing in God's way.
2007-09-29 14:26:02 · answer #5 · answered by Marina 1 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
James Taylor
2016-05-17 06:03:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is one way Jesus has made it Possible for Us to get Healed.
I Think that there are about 7 different ways.
Jesus is the Healer, not Human Beings, but Jesus can Work Through Human Beings to Heal Others.
2007-09-29 14:16:07 · answer #7 · answered by maguyver727 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Lord uses different means to heal those who trust in him. One of the ways is outlined in James 5.
This does not diminish or contradict the gift of faith for healing that some individuals have been given.
god bless
2007-09-29 14:09:20 · answer #8 · answered by happy pilgrim 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In the previous verse 13 “Good spirits” are contrasted with “suffering evil.” This implies that James was discussing SPIRITUAL sickness.
2007-09-29 14:43:18 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well when your sick you go to the dr. So naturally if your spiritually suffering, seeking spiritual guidance from a religious leader would only make sense. That way they can provide spiritual support, encouragement and guidance.
2007-09-29 14:31:56 · answer #10 · answered by joyofjoys 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋