Understanding the Spiritual Significance of Anointing Oil 7-23-26

Let’s see what the Word of God says.

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. 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 of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

Confess your trespasses to one another and pray for one another that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (James  5:13-16).

In the Old and New Testament, oil was symbolic of the Holy Spirit – used for consecration, Oil of Joy, healing and so on.

My experience with the anointing oil: I didn’t know any better because many people in the church used it for sickness, dedication, ordaining others into ministry. However, the only New Testament scripture is in James: Is there any sick among you?

When I traveled from Greensboro to Camden ad Philly, a friend would take me to a Jewish store in Philly and I purchased the oil, took some back to Greensboro and gave it to different people. When I learned better, my money was no longer spent for the anointing oil.

Some use oil to dedicate babies to the Lord- This what the Word of God says: Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.  

So, he came by the Spirit into the temple.

And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law,  he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,  A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.”

And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him.  Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”(Luke 2:25-35)

A good Samaritan used oil: But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion.  So, he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him (Luke 10:34). Remember, this was under the old covenant; and the Samaritan was considered an outcast, yet the Lord used him.

The parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), it is believed by some and I also agree that the Oil represented the Holy Spirit, but five of the virgins did not make use of what their assignment was and the Holy Spirit was grieved (sad) and He was quenched; they suppressed His anointed power that was given to them (Ephesians 4:30).

As for me, I want to use scriptures that relate to whatever the situation may be, not take the Word of God out of context.

Betty A. Burnett ~ burnettministries.org