In the book of James, the inspired writer exhorts: “Is any among you sick? 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 him that is sick, and the Lord shall raise him up…” (5:14, 15).
Some suggest that oil was employed as a daily item of toiletry in ancient times.
A number of writers contend that the oil of James 5:14 was merely a medicinal item.
Some scholars think that the “anointing” referred to by James was simply a refreshing, encouraging act of friendship.
The sick are still among us. And virtually no one questions the fact that the church should have elders today, where qualified men can be found. Should elders, then, in connection with their prayers, be anointing the sick with oil?
2007-11-01 06:03:12 · 23 answers · asked by amber_lanae28 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
coffe_pot12:
I wasn't asking is we were still suppose to pray today... I was asking for opinions on the anointing with oil part...
Sorry that you misunderstood me.
2007-11-01 07:08:10 · update #1
P.S. I already know that many churches still practice the anointing of oil.
But are we still suppose to anoint with oil... since oil was used in a different way in those days.
Praying with faith for the sick is obvious. But what about the oil?
2007-11-01 07:12:15 · update #2
We do it all the time in the Assemblies of God. Those verses are indeed still applicable today. Understand that it does not mean that everyone is healed right on the spot, but prayers are offered in accordance with the New Testament practices described in James.
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We do not immerse or pour oil on people, just a spot or so on the forehead is all we use. [usually Olive Oil - nothing magical about the oil itself]
2007-11-01 06:14:13 · answer #1 · answered by Char 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The sick person has to call for the elder of the church.
PS - I have seen this done before. My sister had mononucleosis as a teen - no she didn't catch it from kissing, she's not that kind of girl, I bet she touched the doorknob that an infected person touched - and she asked my pastor to come and anoint her with oil and pray over her. She was pretty darn sick. Pastor came and talked with her for a while. He asked her if there were any sins in her life that she knew she needed to get right. I don't know what she said, I wasn't privy to the conversation. Afterwards he put just a drop of olive oil on her forehead and prayed that God would heal her. Within 3 days she was all better. And that's not just a coincidence either. Mono can last up to a year, and she was very sick with it - it wasn't gonna clear up in 3 days on its own.
But yeah, the passage says that the sick person needs to call on the elders to do this - it is a voluntary thing done in faith.
And it is still relevant. The entire Bible is relevant to us today.
2007-11-01 06:11:48 · answer #2 · answered by Blue Eyed Christian 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes I think this is a good practice. I myself have gone with the elders of our church and anointed someone with oil and prayed for healing. My mother when she was sick with cancer was prayed over and anointed with oil.
2007-11-01 06:09:43 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
In the LDS church, the Elders do anoint the sick with consecrated oil and pray for healing. This is one of the
practices of the Priesthood of God, and it is the office of Elder that primarily does this function, although High Priests
may also.
2007-11-01 06:08:55 · answer #4 · answered by Kelly T 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Yes...and we do. All of the time.
The Sacrament of Holy Unction is a Sacrament of Divine Sanction by which Divine Grace imparts to the afflicted, through anointing with oil, the healing of both body and soul. It pre—supposes a sick person, the calling of the Presbyters of the Church to pray over the sick person, the anointing with oil in the name of the LORD, the reading of prayers of Faith and the invocation of the Grace of GOD to heal the body and forgive sin. JAMES 5:14—15
The ceremony of the anointing with oil of the person who is sick bodily or spiritually is not a mere physical healing stemming from the oil itself but also is the absolution of sins, which is not related to the therapeutic power of oil.
Furthermore, the healing depends on prayers of Faith, not merely upon the oil itself, for "THE PRAYER OF FAITH WILL SAVE THE SICK MAN AND THE LORD WILL RAISE HIM UP."
2007-11-01 06:07:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 5⤋
God knew that some people will not be stong in faith or have the knpwledge of His word enough to depend on it. so he made provisions for herbs and other medical insights to man.
this scripture in james is still alive and standing.
2007-11-01 06:23:54 · answer #6 · answered by Lt. 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In many denominations the minister has a little black case that has oil in it. They will still anoint the sick and pray.
2007-11-01 06:07:25 · answer #7 · answered by PROBLEM 7 · 3⤊ 3⤋
Annointing with oil is something that was done in the ancient days of old...have you ever heard of anyone being annointed with oil today? Not hardly; not on a common basis anyway.
2007-11-01 06:11:58 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
my church in a way does that accept for the oil part, my mom was sick in the hospital and my pastor went with me and my family to my moms hospital bed and prayed for her recovery.
2007-11-01 06:09:07 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
That's a great question Amber........
I've been to healing services where they do this according to that verse in James.
I believe that if God healed people back then....then why couldn't He still do it today?
2007-11-01 06:08:37 · answer #10 · answered by primoa1970 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋