The use of Anointing Oil

By Rev. Rebecca

The use of sacred oil goes back to Biblical mandates in the Old Testament in Exodus 30:22-38. “And you shall make of these a sacred anointing oil blended as by the perfumer; it shall be holy anointing oil…and you shall say to the Israelites, ‘This shall be my holy anointing oil throughout your generations.’” It was also used to anoint and ordain Israel’s kings (see 1 Sam. 10:1) which is why we use it in ordinations to this day.

Later James 5:14 calls us, “Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.” We use oil in our rites and prayers for healing today, just as the Bible calls us to do. Liturgical communities visit the sick with Communion and anoint them with oil and prayers for healing. Anointing oil was also used in the early church at baptism as the sign of the seal of the Holy Spirit upon the new believer.