Discussion Board entries on the web site of McEwen church of Christ en-us Copyright 2008 mcewencofc@gmail.com (Barry Phy) http://www.mcewenchurchofchrist.com https://www.thelordsway.com/TLWLogoNewSm.jpg http://www.mcewenchurchofchrist.com Discussion Board entries on the web site of McEwen church of Christ carterj007@Bellsouth.net - Can you please put a link on this website to these 2 youtube accounts. http://www.youtube.com/user/ChurchsofChrist?feature=mhum and http://www.youtube.com/user/paden981 we work together Tue, 24 May 2011 09:51:00 +0600 DiscussionID1034 http://www.mcewenchurchofchrist.com James 5:14 14 "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:" Please comment on this verse, especially the last part concerning anointing with oil. Fri, 05 Jun 2009 09:51:00 +0600 DiscussionID950 http://www.mcewenchurchofchrist.com Jam 5:14-16 - In the early church, when miraculous gifts were imparted by the laying on of apostolic hands "as a sign to unbelievers," one of these was the gift of healing. In most early churches founded by the apostles one of the elders would have this gift. There is no more reason for the descent of this gift to our times than of any other miraculous power. This passage, then, describes what was peculiar to the early church. The sick were anointed by the elders with oil, a symbol of the Spirit, which effected the healing, hands were laid, and prayer offered. See Mark 6:13; also Isaiah 1:6, and Luke10:34. Oil, and ointments of various kinds, were much used among the ancients, both in health and in sickness. The oil which was commonly employed was olive oil. See the Isaiah 1:6; Luke 10:34. The custom of anointing the sick with oil still prevails in the East, for it is believed to have medicinal or healing properties. Tue, 09 Jun 2009 09:51:00 +0600 DiscussionID955 http://www.mcewenchurchofchrist.com Does this verse teach that Christians of today are to call on the elders for prayer if they are sick? Or is that only peculiar to the early church because of the miraculous power? Wed, 10 Jun 2009 09:51:00 +0600 DiscussionID956 http://www.mcewenchurchofchrist.com The context of the passage suggests that the healing needed was physical healing and because the elders were the ones endowed with "healing power" they were the ones called upon. However, spiritual healing could also be implied along with physical today...therefore, the elders who have spiritual oversight as the Sheperds of the flock, certainly should be sought to pray for any member who is sick (physically and especially spiritually). Thu, 11 Jun 2009 09:51:00 +0600 DiscussionID957 http://www.mcewenchurchofchrist.com Since there is no "healing power" by any elder today, is the conclusion correct that a fervent prayer from one that is righteous is just as effective as those of an elder? 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." James 5:16 Fri, 12 Jun 2009 09:51:00 +0600 DiscussionID958 http://www.mcewenchurchofchrist.com I apologize for the delayed response...VBS is keeping us busy... In looking at verses 14-16 we see the subjects of sickness and sin are intertwined and it is not easy to determine which is under consideration at all times. The overall picture of what James is saying is that whatever our situation in life, we need to pray. And we need to pray that the Lord's will be done in all things, as Christ did(Luke22:42). Again, we also understand that the elders are the shepherds/overseerers of our souls...we would hope that they are righteous(innocent) men and as the leaders of the local congregation we should never hesitate to have them pray for us... in whatever situation. Another point we must realize is that the there is power in prayer. Notice what James says in verse 16: He says the person whose prayer is powerful is "a righteous man." James doesn't say that the prayer of an eloquent preacher is powerful nor the prayer of a noted church leader. But he says that the prayer of a righteous man is powerful...that person may be unassuming, their prayers may not be eloquent, but if he is a Christian and his life is right, his prayers are powerful! And so to answer you question...then yes a fervant prayer from one that is righteous (right in God's sight) is as effective (powerful) as those of an elder (who we would hope is also righteous). Thu, 18 Jun 2009 09:51:00 +0600 DiscussionID962 http://www.mcewenchurchofchrist.com