Somewhere in Itighidi, Cross River State, a purported Pastor who was caught in the act of burying charms was recently apprehended and man-handled by the youths of the community. In his confession he said amongst other things, that the easiest way to increase his cash flow is through the sale of what he called, the anointing oil. This "Pastor" said he sold the anointing oil for as much as #300,000 per bottle. One wonders what prompts so many people to enter into the nets of such religious swindlers.

Truth is, most religious leaders have seized the pure teachings of Christ with unholy hands. They have twisted and concealed its clarity because they are more concerned with the fulfillment of their selfish desires than the inner development of their fellow human beings. With erroneous teachings they entangle those who desire the short cut to freedom in the web of idolatry. For this cause many Christians tend to shift their faith from the word of salvation brought to mankind with so much sacrifice, to material substances like oil, water, coconut, handkerchiefs, etc. To them prayers cannot be answered without the use of these substances. This is about the basest level of understanding. The use of anointing oil has become the liquor that intoxicates many Christians.

What is wrong with the use of anointing oil, someone may ask? Did apostle James not command the elders of the Church to anoint the sick with oil for healing? Are big Pastors today not using the anointing oil? You have to understand, that our focus today is on what Christ taught, not on what the apostles did, nor on what the leaders of today's Churches are doing.

What was the anointing oil used for in ancient Israel? Did Christ actually command the apostles to use the anointing oil? On what occasions and for what purposes did He mention the use of oil?

According to Jewish history, oil was used most times as fragrance . It was customary for the Jews to anoint themselves, or in other words, to wear fragrance or perfumes when going out or when sitting at meal with guests. The use of oil when going out was just for the purpose of creating a good aroma, but to anoint guest while at meal was a mark of hospitality and a token of honor.
On the other hand, oil was used to anoint people who were called into the office of the priest, prophet or king, as a symbol of the presence and power of the Spirit of God upon them. This is evidenced in the case of David. When he was anointed, the scripture says the Spirit of the Lord came upon him (1Samuel 16:13). Likewise after anointing Saul as king of Israel, he joined the company of the old prophets and began to prophesy like them (1 Samuel 10:1, 10-11). This indicates that the anointing oil was used as a representation of the Holy Spirit in the old Covenant.
The use of anointing oil is a practice of the old Covenant. Christ did not teach about using oil for healing or miracle. The apostles who practised this imported the idea from the old Covenant because they were still very used to that system. In other words, they were yet learning the principles of the New Covenant.

When Christ sent out the twelve apostles, the Word says He gave them authority and power over unclean spirits and instructed them specifically not to carry anything for that assignment than a staff (Mark 6:7- 8 ). If they were to carry nothing else but staff, it means they were not supposed to carry oil as well. According to bible encyclopedia, a staff in this context represents the Word of God. That means they were to go in the power and authority of the Word Christ gave to them. They were to preach and heal by the power of the Word and in the Name of Jesus.

But true to human nature the apostles went ahead and did what they were already used to. After preaching the Word and praying for the sick, they still anointed them for healing ( Mark 6:12-13). Perhaps some of these apostles may have felt that without the oil there would be no healing just like some Christians feel today.
But notice, that when Christ later sent another group of disciples who by this time had gotten more familiar with His teachings, and gave them similar instructions (Luke 10:2-4), they did exactly as He directed them, and returned with great excitement saying, " Lord, even the demons were subject to us in your name" (Luke 10:17). The demons were subject to the disciples because they ministered in the name of Jesus Christ who is the embodiment of the living Word, not because they used anointing oil.

Christ did not teach or use the anointing oil for healing or impartation of power during His earthly Ministry as it is done in the Church today. He taught men faith in His Word, not in oil. He laid hands on those who had faith in His Word and they got healed and He commanded His disciples to do the same. When in regards to fasting Christ instructed the disciples to anoint themselves with oil, it was for them to use the oil as fragrance to conceal from men the fact that they were fasting, so that their deed will only be known to the Father who will reward them openly. Apparently most religious people at this time hypocritically went about with gloomy faces during fasting in order to attract the praise of men. So Christ was telling His disciples to anoint themselves at such a time so they would not be as the hypocrites. The alabaster oil that a woman used to anoint Christ was a very expensive fragrance and was used to show hospitality and honor to Him (Luke 7:37-48).

The Church today is making the initial mistake the apostles made. Until one is anointed with oil, there is no healing. Where then lies the faith in the Word that Christ taught? Until they wet the heads of Ministers in the name of ordination, they cannot be sent forth. They have failed to realize, that this practice was undertaken in the old order because the people who were called into the different offices lacked the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit at the time. The Holy Spirit which Christ promised is at work today. If you have His indwelling presence, what are you doing with the symbol on your head?
Recall, that when Christ commissioned the apostles, He did it without using oil (Mathew 28:19-20). Ananias prayed for Paul and he received the Holy Spirit and the power to work by the laying on of hands, not with oil (Acts 9:10-20). The Church in Antioch commissioned Paul and Barnabas by laying hands on them without the use of oil (Acts 13:1-4). Paul commissioned Timothy through prayer and by the laying on of hands.

Listen dear reader. The power to preach, heal, or receive anything from the Lord lies in the Word not in oil. When you study and understand the Word aright, and strive to live according to it, all doubts will be cleared. You will live above those things that constitute idols to you without your knowledge. You will do away with the frauds that come to you in the name of pastors, and you will swing joyfully upwards to where you naturally belong. The choice has always been yours to make.
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Everything still on Jesus

What I know is that with the increase of these people, so is the increase of poverty, sickness, anguish, sorrow. So what now has been the advantage since its inception? But Nigerians do not like statistical data/facts
WHO/UNICEF has helped and recorded more success more than these people

James.5.14 -15

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.

vvvbobby205:
James.5.14 -15

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.

James did that not because Christ commanded them to do so, but because he was human and prone to mistakes. He was still very much used to the system of the old covenant which they were practising before Christ
When you consider the event of the transfiguration of Christ, you will understand, that you have to look up to Christ as your example. He is the only One whi made the Father well pleased. Other prophets tried in the course of their callings, but in one way or the other they faltered. We only need to do what the Lord commanded, not what others did outside His command.

Wakeupchristian:


James did that not because Christ commanded them to do so, but because he was human and prone to mistakes. He was still very much used to the system of the old covenant which they were practising before Christ
When you consider the event of the transfiguration of Christ, you will understand, that you have to look up to Christ as your example. He is the only One whi made the Father well pleased. Other prophets tried in the course of their callings, but in one way or the other they faltered. We only need to do what the Lord commanded, not what others did outside His command.

John.16.12 -13; I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Hmmm
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You have to understand, that our focus today is on what Christ taught, not on what the apostles did, nor on what the leaders of today's Churches are doing.

This is truth as far as Jesus Christ is concerned.

vvvbobby205:

John.16.12 -13; I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

The Spirit of God is not going to reveal to you any truths that contradict that which Jesus Christ already commanded you. God(the Spirit of God) is not a liar, and He will not say one thing through His Son(The word of God i.e. Jesus Christ) only to turn around and say another through His Spirit.

So you are best obeying what Jesus Christ has commanded than chasing after the words of fallible men. Jesus Christ is the Truth of God, but the words of His apostles are not God's truths as presented. They are to be validated against what Jesus Christ(the truth) commanded.

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