Use of Anointing Oil

[ewethelamb]

Can anyone tell me if a normal person can use anointing oil? I understand that only pastor can use the anointing oil to pray for others. But i saw someone using anointing oil to anoint on the door, on the wall of the house. This person is not a pastor. Is the action proper or all right? I am not so sure about this. Is there any scripture that mention on this?

curious, ewethelamb

 

[Br. Bear]

Greetings ewethelamb,

I suppose the question might be asked is what the purpose of anointing is for.

If you care to do a study, you could look up the references in this next passage, which will help you to understand a bit better what it is you seek with your question here.

But the anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in Him.
1John 2:27

The practice of anointing with perfumed oil was common among the Hebrews.

(1.) The act of anointing was significant of consecration to a holy or sacred use; hence the anointing of the high priest (Exodus 29:29; Leviticus 4:3) and of the sacred vessels (Exodus 30:26). The high priest and the king are thus called “the anointed” (Leviticus 4:3, Leviticus 4:5, Leviticus 4:16; Leviticus 6:20; Psalm 132:10). Anointing a king was equivalent to crowning him (1Samuel 16:13; 2Samuel 2:4, etc.). Prophets were also anointed (1Kings 19:16; 1Chronicles 16:22; Psalm 105:15). The expression, “anoint the shield” (Isaiah 21:5), refers to the custom of rubbing oil on the leather of the shield so as to make it supple and fit for use in war.

(2.) Anointing was also an act of hospitality (Luke 7:38, Luke 7:46). It was the custom of the Jews in like manner to anoint themselves with oil, as a means of refreshing or invigorating their bodies (Deuteronomy 28:40; Ruth 3:3; 2Samuel 14:2; Psalm 104:15, etc.). This custom is continued among the Arabians to the present day.

(3.) Oil was used also for medicinal purposes. It was applied to the sick, and also to wounds (Psalm 109:18; Isaiah 1:6; Mark 6:13; James 5:14).

(4.) The bodies of the dead were sometimes anointed (Mark 14:8; Luke 23:56).

(5.) The promised Delivered is twice called the “Anointed” or Messiah (Psalm 2:2; Daniel 9:25, Daniel 9:26), because he was anointed with the Holy Ghost (Isaiah 61:1), figuratively styled the “oil of gladness” (Psalm 45:7; Hebrews 1:9). Jesus of Nazareth is this anointed One (John 1:41; Acts 9:22; Acts 17:2, Acts17:3; Acts 18:5, Acts 18:28), the Messiah of the Old Testament.


I realise that this doesn't exactly address your question, but it may be helpful to consider there are different uses of oil and different annointings.

Bless you ....><>

Br. Bear


Exodus 25:6 Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense,

 

[ewethelamb]

Thank you for providing all the scriptures that I can refer and read up. in your quoting below,

(3.) Oil was used also for medicinal purposes. It was applied to the sick, and also to wounds (Psalm 109:18; Isaiah 1:6; Mark 6:13; James 5:14).

Does it mean ordinary person, not a pastor or a clergy, can just pray on the oil and apply or anoint a sick person. In James 5:14, it says called the elder to come and anoint. In my church, we are taught that we should not simply do such thing accept a pastor or beacon can do such thing.

You mentioned, "The practice of anointing with perfumed oil was common among the Hebrews." Does this mean ordinary Hebrews practiced the use of anointing oil?

Thanks for answering me. I just hope that I have peace in understanding this aspect of use as I also would like to use anointing oil to bless my home.

Thank you.

 

[rlowe]

Priest had to do it prior Christ Jesus.

Now Christ Jesus is our High Priest & advocate.

Make sure your heart & reasons are pure.

Then annoint things &/or people with a clear conscience & God's blessing.

 

[Br. Bear]

Thank you for providing all the scriptures that I can refer and read up. in your quoting below,

(3.) Oil was used also for medicinal purposes. It was applied to the sick, and also to wounds (Psalm 109:18; Isaiah 1:6; Mark 6:13; James 5:14).

Does it mean ordinary person, not a pastor or a clergy, can just pray on the oil and apply or anoint a sick person. In James 5:14, it says called the elder to come and anoint. In my church, we are taught that we should not simply do such thing accept a pastor or beacon can do such thing.

You mentioned, "The practice of anointing with perfumed oil was common among the Hebrews." Does this mean ordinary Hebrews practiced the use of anointing oil?

Thanks for answering me. I just hope that I have peace in understanding this aspect of use as I also would like to use anointing oil to bless my home.

Thank you.

Greetings again, ewethelamb,

I think it is important to note this scripture...

Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
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.
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.
Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
James 5:13-18

While what rlowe says is quite right, we must remember to be in subjection to Scripture.

Now, you mentioned ... I just hope that I have peace in understanding this aspect of use as I also would like to use anointing oil to bless my home.
as well as... Does it mean ordinary person, not a pastor or a clergy, can just pray on the oil and apply or anoint a sick person.

I would like you to differentiate between the two, as annointing one's home is different to what we read about, where we call upon the elders, (note... not the pastor) to pray for the sick.

If you do that study with the Scriptures provided you will have a clearer understanding.

I can not remember any place in Scripture that states that only pastors can and/or should anoint with oil.

Have a study and get back to this thread, ewethelamb.

May the Lord bless you as you seek Him in His word.

Bless you ....><>

Br. Bear

 

[farout]

The last chapter of James, chapter 5: 13 to16 gives a specfic reason, and the how to, about the use of oil. There is nothing magical about the oil. Remember there is a connection of confessing sins. Because Scripture instructs to call the "Elders" this indicates to me that would be the pastor and or Deacon. I am really uncertian if this could not be done by a wife to her husband or husband to a wife of for our children. I do know confessing sin is as important as anointing with the oil. This is an act of obedience, the oil has no wonder properties, it is an act of faith.

I think many christians make the mistake in demanding that they be healers. This sets up those who are not made well to loose faith. How much better to pray " Lord pleas put me in the very center of your will" God is glorified in this prayer. I have been in what would appear to be no hope situations. My pastor came and anointed me with oil, we prayed to be in the direct will of God, I was healer. Healing our bodies on earth is only a temporary, but to be in heaven with Jesus , the Father and the Holy Spirit is complete healing for eternity.

I think we put God in a box to do our bidding, and if our will is not done, we might think we did not have enough faith, or God did not hear us. I know what I am saying is not easy to understand, but it is acting on faith. I hope you all undersyand what I am trying to say. Blessings.

 

[Rev T.S.Perkins]

as for me ive grown accustomed to the aroma of holy oil .. i use as i can to anoint any as the Lord leads me and seen dramatic results because of it ( i always keep a small vile of it with me )..its nothing special other than a point of faith for me and a bearer between me and the one im laying hands on kinda like the mantle the priests wore between them and the things of God ...sometimes its just nice to breath the aroma just before bed it helps me rest when troubled ..truth be known when im done on this old world i hope ive slung enough oil ill slide right through the pearly gates ..lol....Rev

 

[james1523]

The rule of thumb is that if the Spirit leads you to use it, then use it. And if the Spirit hasn't led you , or you haven't consulted him about it, what use is it? The problem is you want to make it a rule, so that you can say, if I use oil, then God must heal the person, it's holy oil. But that's according to legalism and religion - God doesn't work like that. Everytime Jesus healed someone he used something different, sometimes mud, sometimes spit, sometimes nothing at all, sometimes hands, sometimes a spoken word, sometimes the hem of his garment. See the picture? So put away that little religious thought that you must do something to get something from God, and start listening to what the Spirit will tell you to do in that moment. That is assuming that you have the Spirit, and you do if you are a believer, and that you haven't quenched and grieved Him so that He remains silent..
His sheep hear and know His voice, so if you don't hear and know His voice, are you a sheep? And if the Spirit has led another to use oil, but not you, then who are you to judge? are you his master? Consider your motives for questioning your brother's actions.

Use of holy oil is not a condition of God answering the prayer of a righteous man. But if it helps build faith in the person using it or the person receiving healing there's nothing wrong with using it I don't think.
An elder or pastor who cannot heal may not meet the condition God requires i.e. no sin or iniquity in the heart, lack of faith, etc. Or the person receiving the healing may lack faith - it's not just about the pastor/elder, the recipient needs faith too.
If we were strong in faith we would only say a word from a distance and people could be healed. Most of us are weak because we have regular jobs and stresses and pressures of life from family, friends etc, so don't have the time or will to cultivate the faith required, so we need props like oil, prayer cloth, music, bible etc to bring us to that level of faith so we can see people healed.