Articles
"Let Him Call for the Elders of the Church"
"Let Him Call for the Elders of the Church"
By Paul R. Blake
(Author’s note: The following questions were asked by a sister in Christ who presently lives in Germany. Perhaps the answer to this question might help in the studies we engage on the subject of scriptural elders and deacons. ---prb) "In our women's class, questions were asked that I didn't have adequate answers for. Should we lay hands on the sick so that we can help heal the sick with a prayer of faith? I'm not suggesting that we have miraculous healing like the apostles, but how do you explain 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.' Paul, does this refer to spiritual sickness, rather than physical sickness? Also, isn't visiting the sick one of the duties of the elders?"
There is nothing overtly miraculous about the work of the elders toward the sick.
First, it was a common practice for elders to lay hands on persons for a variety of reasons in New Testament times. Some elders did indeed have gifts of healing, but not all did. Elders also laid hands on men that were going out to do a work for the Lord. The laying on of hands in this case was not to heal, but to show endorsement of the men.
Others had hands laid on them to authorize them to do a task. When Paul warned Timothy in 1Timothy 5:22 to "lay hands suddenly on no man," he was saying that he needs to avoid giving endorsement to a man in haste; otherwise, he unwittingly becomes a partaker in that man's sins by ignorantly giving his approval. In the case of James five, I believe the elders to be laying hands on the sick, not to impart healing, but rather to formally show their affirmation and unity in the matter of the sick one's need for God's help.
Secondly, righteous men were ordered by the apostle Paul to use their hands in holy prayer to God (1Tim. 2:8). It was not uncommon to use the hands to help emphasize the petition being made to God in prayer.
Third, the use of oil was a customary process for the sick in Biblical times. Folks ate a low-fat diet (not by choice) and lived in a dry, dusty climate. The skin would become parched and cracked, especially in times of sickness when one could not keep food and water in the stomach. The fatherly, physician-like presence of the elders praying and soothing the sick persons head and limbs with oil would be a great comfort and reassurance to him.
Evidence that the elders were not performing miracles that heal the sick is found right in this verse. What does James say saves the sick? "The prayer of faith... and the LORD shall raise him up" (see also James 1:6). That is precisely how we are healed from our illnesses today. We ask in faith, and the Lord answers with His mighty providence and power.
Please note that in this verse is also the evidence that the sickness under discussion is physical and not spiritual... "and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him." James distinguishes the "raising up" from the "forgiven him" with the Greek conjunction "kan" (a conditional 'and') which translates literally "AND IF." This means that the condition of being in sin (discussed after the 'kan') is not necessarily present in the state of sickness discussed before the 'kan'. Since sin is always present in one who is spiritually sick, we therefore conclude that the sickness of verse 15 is not spiritual, but physical. In this verse, being in sin is separate and distinct from being sick.
I have always maintained that scripturally the duty of elders is to visit the sick. I also believe that elders need to hold the hands, or put hands on the shoulders, or an arm around the sick person when he prays for them. The fatherly touch and human contact is a great source of comfort to one who is already somewhat isolated by his illness. The need for comfort and for prayer still exists; therefore, the need for elders to touch and pray for the sick is still mandated.
However, the imperative for oil anointment is not relevant today. We no longer live in a dry climate, and we certainly do not have a fat-impoverished diet. Therefore, the need for oil on the head and limbs is no longer necessary to comfort the sick. Yet, elders can bring other comforts of a physical nature today equivalent to that of first century oil anointing. For example, elders can offer words of encouragement, they can arrange for help for the sick person, they can read scriptures to him, or whatever else is helpful and comforting.
Regardless of our own view of who should visit the sick, the book of James still tells us that if anyone is sick, let him call for the elders of the church (James 5:14). However, is this the exclusive duty of elders, or can others participate in the comforting work of visiting the sick? It seems clear that Jesus Christ sent to perdition those who did not visit the sick (Matt. 25:41-46). A stern warning, indeed!
BEFORE
--Today before you think of saying an unkind word, think of someone who can't speak.
--Before you complain about the taste of your food, think of someone who has nothing to eat.
--Before you complain about your husband or wife, think of someone who's crying out to God for a companion.
--Today before you complain about life, think of someone who went too early to the grave.
--Before you complain about your children, think of someone who desires children but is unable to bear them.
--Before you argue about your dirty house that someone forgot to clean, think of the people who are living in the streets.
--Before whining about the distance you drive, think of someone who must walk the same distance.
--When you are tired and complain about your job, think of the unemployed, the disabled and those who wished they had your job.
--When you grumble about “having to go to church,” think of the millions who do not enjoy the blessings of forgiveness and fellowship in Christ.
A Moments Wisdom
--What a sight it would be – Christians bearing their cross, instead of simply singing about it.
--There is no such thing as living without a cross. We are free only to choose between crosses … In seeking to live without THE cross, we got A cross – not one of Christ’s making or our own, but the devil’s.
--Many people who plan to be saved from their sins the eleventh hour, die at 10:45.
--Love always involves responsibility, and love always involves sacrifice. We do not really love Christ unless we are prepared to face His task and to take up His cross.
--We sinned for no reason but an incomprehensible absence of love, and He saved us for no reason but an incomprehensible greatness of love.
--Christ is sufficient. We do not need "support groups" for each and every separate tribulation. The most widely divergent sorrows may all be taken to the foot of the same old rugged cross and find there cleansing, peace, and joy.
Upcoming Sermons
8/25/24 AM - Have You Been Transformed or Just Baptized? PM - Boaz the Redeemer
9/1/24 AM - Humility Vs. Self-Deprecation (Requested); PM - Congregational Choice of Songs
9/8/24 AM - We are Never Alone; PM - The Day Everything Went Wrong
9/15/24 AM - Guest Speaker; PM - Guest Speaker
9/22/24 AM - Guest Speaker; PM - Guest Speaker
9/29/24 AM - “For Ye are the Light of the World”; PM - Guest Speaker: Doug Sanders - Miracles of Jesus
