We need to understand James 5:14-16. This is an instruction for us to follow when we are sick. We believe in faith healing, rather than resorting to doctors.

Who are the elders of the church that we should go to when we are sick? What exactly should they do? Do they have to have the gift of healing in order to anoint with oil? How is this anointing to be done? What is the meaning of this ceremony? For what are we to be anointed? Should we be anointed for any little scratch, or only when a life is in danger? What about anointed cloths? Is this practice scriptural? Who is authorized to do this today?

The Greek word for "sick" in James 5:14 is astheneo. This and several related words seem to generally describe sickness, weakness or physical infirmities. The Savior laid hands on those who were sick with different diseases, and healed all that were brought to Him, Luke 4:40. Preaching the message of the Almighty’s Kingdom and healing the sick went hand in hand, Luke 9:2, and Matthew 10:8. There are lingering chronic sicknesses, John 5:5. At times astheneo seems to indicate merely our physical limitations, or physical afflictions imposed upon us by others, Hebrews 4:15, 5:2; II Corinthians 10:10, 13:4; and I Peter 3:7. At other times, it is clearly shown to be a sickness unto death, Luke 7:2, 10; John 4:46-47, 11:1-6; Acts 9:37, and Philippians 2:26-27.

So, the sick among us can be for a variety of causes and degrees: from sickness unto death, to physical weaknesses and limitations. Being sick refers to times when one cannot carry out his daily routine.

Here the practice of some is clearly found to be in error. It says "the elders," plural. And let them (not him) pray over the sick one. So these verses are showing that the church should have more than one elder, and that they should be contacted when one is sick and wishes to be healed.

What is an elder? Some have said that this merely means any older church member. Is this so? The Greek word for "elder" in James 5:14 is presbuteros, used 67 times in the New Testament. Of these, 32 times refers to the Jewish elders (the 70) of the Sanhedren, or rulers of synagogues, a religious office. Twelve times this word refers to the twenty-four elders in heaven, who are certainly in a high religious office. This leaves seventeen times where presbuteros refers to elders of the church: Acts 11:30, 20:17, 28, 21:18; I Timothy 5:17-19, I Peter 5:1-5, II John 1, and III John 1, who were apostles or worked closely with the apostles, Acts 15:2, 4, 6, 22, 23, 16:4, and were ordained in every church, Acts 14:23, Titus 1:5. Only five times does presbuteros refer to an older person (not in the context of the church), Luke 15:25, John 8:9, Acts 2:17, and I Timothy 5:1, 2.

So the usage of the word presbuteros in Scripture proves that a presbuteros of the church (ecclesia) is generally a mature man ordained to an office of religious service, NOT just any older church member. Only those ordained as elders have the responsibility to anoint. This is the general rule.

It doesn’t say to call upon those with the gift of healing. The gift of healing, I Corinthians 12:9, 30, is not something that everyone has. Peter had the gift; people were healed by his shadow. Certainly, the Savior had the gift of healing. Nevertheless, even He, at least on one occasion, could not heal many because of their unbelief, Matthew 13:58, Mark 6:5-6. Those who had the gift of exceptional healings performed healing miracles other than through normal anointing with oil. One does not have to have the gift of healing to anoint, but he does have to be an ordained elder.

If possible, more than one church elder should pray over the one that is sick. What does it mean to pray over someone? The sick would have to be kneeling or laying down so the elders could be "over" him. Why? So the elders could, at the same time, lay hands on the sick. They pray with hands laid over the sick one.

Our Savior laid hands on the sick, Mark 6:5, and Luke 4:40, including the woman that had an infirmity eighteen years, Luke 13:11-13. The disciples were instructed in the Great Commission to "lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover," Mark 16:15-18. Even though James 5:14 does not mention laying on of hands, the New Testament example indicates that such is to be done.

Prayer and laying on of hands is done after baptism for the receiving of the Holy Spirit. This is a type of anointing. Compare Acts 2:38, 8:17, with I John 2:20, 27, and John 16:13. So likewise, prayer and laying on of hands accompanies anointing of the sick, in order to ask for the forgiveness of physical sins. With the one, we receive a spiritual anointing; with the other, a physical anointing. In both, it is the perfect sacrifice of our Savior that makes spiritual and physical salvation possible. It is our faith in that sacrifice that makes the difference, James 5:15, Romans 3:23-25.

The Bible speaks here a little, there a little. Mark 16:18 says the disciples were to lay hands on the sick, but says nothing about praying and anointing with oil. James 5:14 says to pray over and anoint the sick with oil, but says nothing about laying on of hands. The total truth is the sum of all scriptures on the subject.

Mark 6:7 shows that the disciples were sent out to preach two by two. They anointed with oil many that were sick, and they were healed. This is a practice that true believers continue to follow.

Anointing with oil signifies setting apart for holy use. The Savior is the Messiah (Hebrew word for anointed one), the Christ (Greek for anointed one), anointed with the Spirit (oil) of gladness, Isaiah 61:1-3, Hebrews 1:1-9. Being anointed with oil, we are free from being bound in sickness and sin. This is the good news of salvation. Anointing the sick for their healing goes hand-in-hand with the gospel (good news). Once anointed, we are to go forth in newness of life, happy instead of brokenhearted, loosed from Satan’s prison of this life of sorrows. We are now anointed ones as the Messiah is. With our elder brother, we join the Almighty’s family.

What a wonderful, holy ceremony! Woe be to those who take it lightly.

The Levitical priesthood used a holy anointing oil made primarily of olive oil, Exodus 30:22-33. Therefore, it would be good to use pure olive oil for anointing, if at all possible.

What does it mean to anoint? In one denomination, ministers have a little vial, and during the prayer pour a drop on the head of the sick, laying their hands on his head. Sometimes, they would put a little oil on a finger and wipe it acros the forehead of the sick person, not actually pouring it as such. I am not bringing up a picky point for the sake of argument, but this isn’t what the scripture intends. (I am not denigrating their sincerity nor the fact that healings have resulted from use of one drop.)

Moses took the anointing oil and poured it upon Aaron’s head, Exodus 29:6-7, 30:25, 30 and Psalms 133:1-3. The Hebrew word for anoint here is mashach meaning "to rub with oil, to paint, to consecrate." This is the root word of Messiah, "the anointed one." One that is anointed doesn’t just have a drop on his head. The Greek word anoint (in James 5:14) is alipho which means "to oil or grease," such as to oil one’s hair, Matthew 6:17, rub ointment on, Luke 7:38, 46, or anointing a whole body, Mark 16:1. Everywhere, anointing means a profuse amount of oil.

The prayer for the sick is to close using our master’s name, Yahshua (Jesus). We are to do all things in His name, by His authority. He promises to answer the prayer of faith, using His name, John 14:13-14.

"And the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him," James 5:15.

Just as sinners need to be saved (forgiven of their spiritual sins by the blood of the Savior), so the sick need to be saved (forgiven of their physical sins by the body of the True Passover Lamb, the Messiah).

It is only the prayer of faith that will be answered, James 1:2-7, Romans 4:16-25, and Hebrews 11:6. The Almighty answers the prayers of the faithful, those who are diligently seeking Him. This fact puts severe restrictions on just who the elders should be who anoint the sick. The Father is not pleased with false ministers who pervert the truth. Don’t go to them to be anointed when you are sick.

What if there is no faithful elder available? You should not show disrespect to your Heavenly Father by calling upon an elder of a false church. Then is there no healing possible? You are not left without prayer for healing! James 5:16 provides an additional course for the sick to take. It says "confess your faults [Greek word for sins, trespasses] one to another, and pray for one another, that ye may be healed. The effectual prayer of a righteous man availeth much." In the context of verse 16 and of verses 14-15, this must refer primarily to physical sins (sickness is primarily the result of sin).

So, confess your physical infirmities to other brethren. Pray together. Pray one for the other. Join together in prayer to resolve the issue. A righteous person’s prayer, be he elder, apostle, or a common brother, avails much with the Almighty.

Verse 16 should be followed in addition to verses 14-15, especially if there is no elder available. Fervent prayer is important. This means earnest, zealous prayer, dynamic prayer of faith, such as that of Elijah, verses 17-18. Sometimes the prayer of faith takes patience and perseverance, James 5:7-13. Results are promised, Luke 11:1-13. So, even if your are not an ordained elder, you may, and should, fervently pray for others to be healed.

Acts 19:11-12 has been used to support the practice of sending anointed cloths for healing. These verses say that the Almighty wrought "special miracles [Greek: uncommon miracles] by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them."

Notice! In an age of tremendous healings, this was "uncommon," out of the ordinary. It is not a command like James 5:14. Nor is it a substitute when a minister is not nearby or is too busy to come. Acts 19 shows what an extraordinary miracle the Eternal worked through Paul, and no one else. It says nothing here or elsewhere about anointing the cloth.

It would be wrong to castigate those sincere brethren who have received an anointed cloth instead of an anointing from a man they respect as a true minister. I have personally received anointed cloths from time to time and have been healed as a result of the prayer of faith. This method is traditional rather than based upon a "thou shalt" scriptural command. An anointed cloth should never be used as a substitute when the ministers are able to come personally to anoint the sick.

Laying on of hands, anointing with oil, and the prayer of faith, are all part of dealing with the sick. But there must also be positive action.

Some ministers will not anoint you unless you have gone to a doctor first, thus tearing down your faith. Others won’t anoint you if you have gone to a doctor. Both are wrong extremes. The responsibility of the elders who are anointing or the brother who is praying with you, is mainly to encourage you. They should help to build up your faith, and if at all possible, help you learn how to keep from getting sick again. Some ministers send you an anointed cloth rather than care enough to take the time to visit. Others rush off right after an anointing when you need someone to comfort you and help build up your faith. They should help you learn what physical sin you may have committed, so that you don’t repeat the same mistake, and can get well and stay that way.

This is what James 5:19-20 (Living Bible) means: "Dear brothers, if anyone has slipped away from God and no longer trusts the Lord [as for healing], and someone helps him understand the Truth again [that God does heal], that person who brings him back to God will have saved a wandering soul from death, bringing about the forgiveness of his many sins."

It is my sincere hope that your faith will be strengthened by the Almighty. That you will never forget that He is the Yahweh — Healer, Exodus 15:26.

Remember always: the prayer of faith shall save the sick!

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