Blogger Priest

James 5:14-16: Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders [priests] of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

Some Protestant critics claim that such practices as found in James no longer apply to the Church. However, the ordinances of Christ to his apostles have perpetual value. We do what the Church has been commissioned to do; indeed, what she has done from the beginning. Jesus forgave sins. The Church forgives sins. Jesus brought healing. The Church brings healing. Jesus gave us his body and blood. The Church gives us Christ’s sacrament in Holy Communion. The Bible instructs us plainly that the anointing of the sick and the prayer of a priest may bring forgiveness of sins and even the restoration of physical health. We are faithful to this biblical testimony, most Protestant churches are not. They even reject such intercession for another and the use of sacramentals like oil.

For more such reading, contact me about getting my book, DEFENDING THE CATHOLIC FAITH.

Filed under: Anointing of the Sick, Anti-Catholicism, Apologetics, Bible, Catholic, Church, Evangelization, Faith, Jesus, Priests, Sacraments |