Written by Paul J Bucknell on January, 10, 2019

Anointing with Oil — James 5:13-16

The Question on Oil Anointing

There is a split conclusion within Christian groups on the use and practice of Oil Anointing. One group believes the Christians are to use and practice Oil Anointing citing scriptures as Mark 6:13, James 5:13-14.

The other group thinks the scripture under the Old Testament commanded Moses & Aaron to anoint only the Priest and the Kings to consecrate and set them apart for God (1 Sam 16, Exodus 30:30-33). They, then, continue to argue that both men and women are royal priesthood and kings in Christianity by virtue of their adoption by Christ. Therefore we are anointed with the Holy Spirit by Christ Jesus our High Priest (1 Pet 2:5, 9, Rev 1:5-6, 1 John 2:20, 27). Thus this group doesn’t believe in the literal use of Oil Anointing.

What is your view on this? What does the word of God say on this subject?

James 5:14-16 and Oil Anointing

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; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. (James 5:14-16)

The Discussion on Oil Anointing

Before us is a question on how or if the practice of oil anointing should continue due to the anointing of the Holy Spirit being poured out upon His people. First, we must agree upon the universal anointing of believers by the Holy Spirit.

“But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know” (1 John 2:20).

“And as for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him” (1 John 2:27).

It appears, due to the past tense being used (“the anointing which you received from Him”), that this anointing is complete for all believers. There is no hint that Christians are to search for a further anointing but like Jesus’ baptism, it was a onetime activity. And so, the giving of the Spirit to believers at salvation becomes the point of anointing. We are meant, I believe, to see this work in believers as a parallel to when God anointed Jesus with the Spirit at the beginning of His ministry (Mat 3:16).

Some extend this meaning to suggest the anointing typifies that of the Old Testament kings and priests. The basis for this teaching comes from God’s description of believers to be kings and priests. “And He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father; to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen” (Rev 1:6).

Believers are undoubtedly called a kingdom of priests: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession” (1 Peter 2:9). But it is critical that if we accept this viewpoint, that we exalt Jesus Christ as the High King and Priest,—He who alone receives glory and honor. Our anointing would essentially be Christ’s Spirit in us who as predicted (John 15:26; 16:6) now lives in us. Although the scriptures do not attach the two ideas of anointing and our calling as king/priests, they both are true.

The question before us, however, leads us to ask about the oil anointing. The verses, 1 John 2:20, 26, for example, clearly do not speak of an oil anointing but a spiritual one, setting apart God’s people for His service, as mentioned above.

What About Oil Anointing?

No matter what our final conclusions of the Holy Spirit’s anointing above, we need to ask what relation does the Spirit’s anointing have with the oil anointing. James spoke practically of using physical oil to anoint. Our answer, fortunately, comes through Jame’s practice and teaching.

There is, no doubt, that James was an expert and reliable teacher. It is safe to assume that James understood the meaning and symbolism of the oil anointing for the Old Testament kings and high priests as well as that of the Holy Spirit’s anointing. If James was convinced oil anointing was not applicable to believers because they were already anointed as John the Apostle stated, he surely would not have utilized or taught the practice. Since James recommends oil anointing, then it is not contrary to rub oil upon the sick no matter what prior anointing we have had by believing in Christ. James, no doubt, exercises this healing process. We must in faith believe, then, that the use of oil for healing will not in any way negate the work of the Spirit upon the believer.

Oil in some cultures is used as an effective instrument for healing, helping the speed of healing. I’ve seen in India, for example, how they rub (literally “to anoint”) different oils for varying ailments. All healing is from God, but the oil can speed up this process along with the prayers of the righteous.

Summary

There is no reason to conclude that using oil as instructed by James will interfere with our calling or position in Christ. The use of oil does not mean that we disregard the Spirit of God’s anointing upon us or believe there is a second or third “Spirit” anointing. Nor does the oil anointing interfere with the anointing of God’s Spirit or imply that it is insufficient. On the contrary, by following James’ advice, we are enhancing the way the Spirit of God chooses to bring healing to His people through literally rubbing healing oils on the sick in combination with the prayers of the righteous.

 

Discussion Questions on Oil Anointing

1. What does the title “Christ” mean? What does “anoint” mean?
2. Read 1 John 2:20, 26. Do you think John speaks about a literal oil anointment or a spiritual anointing? Why?
3. Read Revelations 1:5-6 again. Do you think believers are now kings and priests? In what sense?
4. How do those in Israel or India use oils?
5. Does James’ usage of anointing in James 5 have to do with the Holy Spirit or literal oil? How do you know?
6. Why can we confidently assert that the use of oil for healing will not in any way negate the work of the Holy Spirit on our lives?

Check out the BFF NT Digital Library, which includes all our New Testament resources.