Wednesday | 30 October 2024
The first dimension of prayer is for the elders to anoint with oil the person who is sick. James said, ‘Let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.’ Jas 5:14. This verse has been grossly misunderstood and misapplied across the history of the church. We know that James was not describing a sacrament of anointing with physical oil, and nor was he referring simply to medical treatment. Rather, calling for the elders is for the purpose of an adjustment that enables a person to discern again their place in the body of Christ and to be reconnected to the works of their obedience.
The oil is the anointing of the Spirit of the Lord. Significantly, this anointing is ‘in the name of the Lord’. Anointing in this manner is not an invocation of the name of the Lord. The name of the Lord is the fellowship of Yahweh. The presbyters who come in the name of the Lord are extending this fellowship to the person in their sin-sick condition. Psa 133:1-3. The person who is sick has asked for this fellowship, but they themselves have no capacity to join it. The anointing of the Spirit of the Lord enables them to join in fellowship with the elders.
Fellowship with the elders, which is fellowship with the Father and the Son, is in the fear of the Lord. 1Jn 1:3. The fear of the Lord belongs to the Spirit of the Lord. Isa 11:2. This anointing is necessary to break the yoke of bondage to the fear of death, which is likely to have been the initial motivation to engage the elders. Pro 14:27. The anointing of the Spirit ensures that the interaction is no longer driven by this fallen desire, and that the person who is seeking healing can relate to the elders in sincerity and truth. They are able to acknowledge that in their sinful condition they are ‘dead with Christ’. Col 3:3.
Further Study:
Jas 5:14
Is anyone 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.
Psa 133:1-3
A Song of Ascents. Of David. 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.
1Jn 1:3
That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.
Isa 11:2
The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.
Pro 14:27
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to turn one away from the snares of death.
Col 3:3
For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
References:
The first dimension of prayer is for the elders to anoint with oil the person who is sick. James said, ‘Let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.’ Jas 5:14. This verse has been grossly misunderstood and misapplied across the history of the church. We know that James was not describing a sacrament of anointing with physical oil, and nor was he referring simply to medical treatment. Rather, calling for the elders is for the purpose of an adjustment that enables a person to discern again their place in the body of Christ and to be reconnected to the works of their obedience.
The oil is the anointing of the Spirit of the Lord. Significantly, this anointing is ‘in the name of the Lord’. Anointing in this manner is not an invocation of the name of the Lord. The name of the Lord is the fellowship of Yahweh. The presbyters who come in the name of the Lord are extending this fellowship to the person in their sin-sick condition. Psa 133:1-3. The person who is sick has asked for this fellowship, but they themselves have no capacity to join it. The anointing of the Spirit of the Lord enables them to join in fellowship with the elders.
Fellowship with the elders, which is fellowship with the Father and the Son, is in the fear of the Lord. 1Jn 1:3. The fear of the Lord belongs to the Spirit of the Lord. Isa 11:2. This anointing is necessary to break the yoke of bondage to the fear of death, which is likely to have been the initial motivation to engage the elders. Pro 14:27. The anointing of the Spirit ensures that the interaction is no longer driven by this fallen desire, and that the person who is seeking healing can relate to the elders in sincerity and truth. They are able to acknowledge that in their sinful condition they are ‘dead with Christ’. Col 3:3.