Bible Questions Answered:
Pastor, is this right with God, to anoint and offer up prayer of the sick, brought to the church?
Luka/ Moscow, Russia
Bible Answer:
Bible Text:
James 5:13-16 KJV
13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
14 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:
15 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.
16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Yes, it is the will of the Lord, that we have compassion, as He has, and to pray for the sick!
Matthew 9:36 KJV
But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
Matthew 14:14 KJV
And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and He healed their sick.
Matthew 15:32 KJV
Then Jesus called His disciples unto Him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude..."
Matthew 20:34 KJV
So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.
Malachi 3:6 KJV
For I am the LORD, I change not..."
Hebrews 13:8 KJV
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
Lamentations 3:22 KJV
22 It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Well, if our Lord does not change, and He is the same yesterday, today and forever, then He is just as compassionate today toward the hurting as when He walked the earth!
His call to Christians today...
Mark 16:17,18 KJV
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall...
18 ...they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Our Lord told us to have faith.
Matthew 21:21,22 KJV
21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this
which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
I John 5:14 KJV
And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us:
Now having said all of this, James 5:14 definitely needs explanation.
The Christian church today often quotes this verse, without any understanding of just what is meant here.
James 5:14 KJV
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:
“Well pastor, anyone understands this, the sick come to us, we anoint them with oil, a type of the Holy Spirit, and then pray for their recovery!”
Yes, this is what is done, but it is “not,” understood, and so not correct!
Yes, it is true that oil in the word of God, does represent the power of the Spirit of God, but again this is not what is represented in James 5:14.
In our Lord's day, there were several categories of individuals who were “never,” anointed with oil.
1) The Sick and
2) Those who were in sorrow, or mourning.
To be anointed with oil was for those who were well or healthy!
A poor analogy:
A warm bath, is not for the sick, or for those who's eyes are swollen shut through their much weeping and sorrow!
Well of course not, that would be the very last thing on their mind.
Well if anointing is “not,” for the sick or sorrowing, what is James saying!
He is saying, Look when you pray for the sick, believe that almighty God is going to miraculously touch this one, and as a “sign,” that you do believe that, anoint him with oil!
How many a dear soul, has never understood these simple words of beloved James.
Akin, would be our Lord's words to Peter, OK, if you believe, then come out and walk to me on the water! Such an “act,” would signify the faith of one, Peter. And for a little while, he had such faith.
There are “NEVER EVER,” are any talismans, incantations, mystical enchantments or anything of like nature in the house of the living God!
What is Holy, what is of great power, what is of sacred nature, what is healing, what is of miraculous power, what is healing and delivering greatness without limit......is Jesus Christ, and Him alone!
And when a saint of God prays and lays his hands upon the sick in absolute faith, Christ honors that faith, and delivers the needy.
No glory to man, no glory to artifacts of, sacred water, sacred oils, sacred relics etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. what an affront to the mighty, risen, living, working, compassionate, Son of God!
Oh how the sinful soul of man, longs to work out his own salvation through a confluence of religious rites and liturgical practices, rather than merely calling upon and trusting the Living Breathing Ever Present, Compassionate Saviour.
Ephesians 2:7-9 KJV
7 That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace are ye saved (gifts of healing as well) through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Be sure to read the next blog: Prayer For The Sick-2
Selah
