I do love this text. I want to read it again:
James 5:14-16
14Is 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:
15And 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.
Notice that the Apostle makes no exceptions. This is for "any" found sick among the church. Not just church members.
If taken literally here is what is needed:
-A duely authorized elder of the church. This speaks of the need for the "spiritual authority" (John 20:23) of one who has been obedient to the fulness of the Gospel (Acts 2:38; I Timothy 3:1-7).
-Oil. Oil is often used as a symbol of the Holy Spirit and is evidently a vehicle of faith, healing, and forgiveness. -Invocation of the "name of the Lord" upon anointing with oil. It is to be administered in "Jesus name", just as with water baptism.
-The prayer of faith. There must be faith in the elder and the sick for both healing and forgivness, if it be God's will.
If taken literally here is what is promised in accordance to God's will:
-The sick will be "saved", delivered from their sickness.
-The Lord will "raise him up". This might be through divine healing or the resurrection.
-And if the individual has committed sins, "they shall be forgiven him".
This is the only sacrement named in Scripture for the sick and infirm. I believe that if it is taken literally... it demonstrates a loving provision from our God for those who find themselves in such circumstances. Also, it should be considered that perhaps the sickness, and in some cases the inevitible death, is something sent by God to awaken the soul's need for salvation, should they call upon an Apostolic elder.
What loving Apostolic elder wouldn't anoint
any sick and/or dying person with oil and pray with them for healing and salvation? And if most would do this... wouldn't it be absolute foolishness for the minister
not to believe that this course of action to be effectual as it relates to the promises regarding the anointing of oil in Scripture?
I personally thank God for this sacremental provision for the sick and dying.