Tiberias Church Anointing Oil

[Raphael]

I would like to ask you opinions on the practice of usage of making and using annointing olive oil for healing and blessing and protection by the protestant Tiberias church..

They say anybody can pray to bless the oil with what purpose you request and it will be felt when using the oil on body n even drinking it.. It only works on oils stated in the Bible.. They said tried on water and it doesn't work.

I'm also more interested if this is wholly acceptable.. Why not practiced by SDAs? Aren't we the claimers of most forefront practitioners of most updated, upgraded, and the latest knowledge of light? Or perhaps got stuck too? Hehe

[Gregory Matthews]

So, are you asking us to evaluate the Church that is located in Ontario, California and is a member of the AOG denomination?  Why do we need to criticize another denomination?

Or, are you asking us to evaluate the congregation that existed hundreds of years ago in another country?   What do you know about that historical congregation?

Are you aware that the SDA Church formally endorses anointing with oil?

If so, what is your focus.?  What part of our doctrine, on that point, do you disagree with?

 

 

 

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

I think Raphael might be referring to the Tiberias Church in Singapore  (just a guess).  http://tiberiaschurchsingapore.org/

If I'm understanding the OP correctly, it sounds as if the anointing oil is being used rather indiscriminately....somewhat like a genie in a magic lamp for whatever wishes one might have.  

[Gail]

Anointing oil of varying aromas is available; you should be able to get it on Amazon. I had an ointment form called, Balm of Gilead, over which I prayed and kept for personal use. I used it for spiritual healing at certain times.

Does it work? Well, I am thinking that it is not magic but it is the God we serve Who is the source of all healing. But I did it because the practice of anointing is Biblical, just like the observance of clean vs unclean or praying is Biblical. God has His preferences and reasons.

I did not use it often or indiscriminately. I don't know whether it is lawful for laypeople to anoint. In Biblical times oil was used to bind wounds, ref- the Good Samaritan or shepherds and their sheep. I just did the best I could with what my understanding was.

[Raphael]

Well it clearly works, thus supporting the concern for abuse on this blessing, which i just experienced hehe.. But regardless of all, objectively.. The journey of pain n trial will come regardless with blessing or not..

The manner of doing it is soo simple.. Just pray-wish that this oil will be blessed with the greatest healing effect n maybe greatest protection from all evil n bla bla.. N greatist blessing.. I think the best is to say greatest care for me that ofcourse encompasses all matters.. Maybe hold the oil while doing that or while pointing at it.. Hehe

Usages are recommended on the face n head as all anointings are commonly done.. But basically you can apply anywhere, from hernia to anything.. Ofcourse pls don't do this if one is bad.. Hehe.. No one will think like that i guess.. But there's no need for prayers specifically from pastors or with union-mission accreditation ahh.. It's very helpful.. For the annointed mad.. Well they will still get their deal.. No escape.. 

Instead of creating dependance on organizations for these.. Even becoming sorta good business.. All pastors in that field drive good cars like latest BMW.. Hehe.. People can learn to help themselves

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

Erhmm..... if the oil is used as a *representative* of the Holy Spirit, that's one thing.... but if "power" is invoked into the oil (and that's what it's beginning to look like), that's sounds eerily like witchcraft...

[Gail]

Yes, beginning to sound iconic or something

[Raphael]

Yes.. It can easily do get very eerie.. But no matter how the descriptions are altered or fashioned.. It can't remove the fact that it works and is the corner stone foundation strength of some churches.. Furthered with Biblical support of its practice existance.

By the way, olive oil doesn't come cheap particularly for developing worlds, justifying the collaborative effort to make it available in sufficient (huge) amounts for all (those particular) church members and guests.. Which in a way also justifies their need to show and prove as well that these blessing are tangible and you can see mr. Pastor riding latest BMW and living in high top end housings.. Where these fact are openly declared as proof to inspire.. Ya more faith n belief in God I guess.. The ordinary masses ofcourse can't contribute anything cause holes in pockets but there are plenty-plenty doing-good business men and women seeking glaring clear felt effects and benefits.. And throws money cause that's their forte..

 

[Gail]

51 minutes ago, The Wanderer said:

Hmmm. I dont get it. Where in this thread has someone said this about the oil, or suggested it to be "iconic" in nature?? Did I miss something?

Some people have faith in icons or relics to have healing powers in themselves

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

just because the oil *works* doesn't necessarily mean the results are from God....

I could invoke powers into sacred oils and they would work.  Was the power coming from God?  Nope.

[Raphael]

Well I've tried myself and it works so i find it true.. I guess there like infinite of ways of extra normal healing-blessing-protection and etc.. But this one, by use of proper Christian prayer, i found works. I did my homework a bit too before sharing this..

There are various classes of olive oil with lowest class as frying olive oil (stinks a bit), Highest class is extra-extra virgin olive oil I guess..

If you google Tiberias church olive oil.. At third row result, there's verses about the oils stated used in the Bible.. I think it says about that mixture that the olive oil is least in amount.. Maybe I'm wrong.. There's mirh and others.. Also about how the countenance of David change after the anointment.. It's stated cause that happens regularly in that Tiberias church.

[Raphael]

Sometimes when things are too easy we tend to take it lightly.. And even forget where it comes from.. Like this soo easy to make annointing (provided no holes in pocket).. The Christian prayer is a REQUEST.. But cause soo easy.. Haha.. We overlook and feel as if in our full control and therefore like ours hehe.. So beware of that..

I think that applies to all ahh.. Even our current health and whatever we have.. Cause so used.. We forget that we owe all to God..

[Raphael]

Gregory Mathews.. My question is more to why is this good Bible recorded and approved appointing practice isn't wellspread used amongst SDAs.. With purpose that all may share further abundance of God's goodness..

By the way..

In my 2nd reply here, at 2nd paragraph.. There are small details that may look trivial but are of significance.. I said a request to have or be blessed with greatest care "on me".. That me will limit it only to you.. If without limitations of pronouns and names.. Then it's not limited.. Unless that's your intention, which is fine too.. As long you are aware of these..

[Gregory Matthews]

Raphel:  Anointing with oil is used in the SDA Church.  When it is used it is most commonly used in a local congregational setting where the pastors and/or Elders are anointing congregational members who are known by them.  In such a setting, probably little to no publicity is given to such a service.  IOW,  only the individual, family, friends and those participating may know that it has been done.  I will suggest that there are multiple reasons for this:

1)  Some who practice anointing seem to make a public spectacle of the event.  Many of us reject this as not being Biblical and prefer to be much more private.

2)  Some of us believe that people should establish a congregational relationship and therefore do not provide what some would call a sacramental service to people who walk through our doors on a one-time basis with no intent to ever appear again.  E.G>  Baptism is a Biblical service.  I do not baptize people with whom I have not established a congregational relationship and intend to become a part of my congregation.

3)  As Pam referenced, I have clearly met people who looked upon the anointing as a form of magic.  I Do not consider this to be Biblical and under such circumstances I would not anoint.  IOW, If  I am asked to anoint, I want the person to have a Biblical understanding of the event.  E.G.  I would not baptize a person who clearly misunderstood what baptism is all about, just as I would not marry a coupe who misunderstood the Biblical meaning of marriage.

4)  We live in a time when people expect privacy as to their medical condition, and in many cases that privacy is backed up by the law.  Public knowledge of an anointing is considered by many to be a violation of that privacy.  Yes, I am serious.  I need to respect that view. 

5)  Anointing is a Biblical practice.  But, there is not Biblical requirement to call fo anointing for every medical condition.   I cut my hand yesterday and it bled.  My wife pout an antiseptic on the cut and bandaged it.  To me, to have asked the elders to come in and anoint me would cheapen the service.  I believe that the use of an antiseptic and a bandage was in accord with the Bible as it is God who has given us modern medical knowledge.

6)  Personally, I believe that the Biblical concept of anointing is more in line with grave conditions when one is near death.

7)  But, I Believe that the Biblical understanding of anointing is more than a demand for healing.  Rather I see it as a service in which one is saying: God you can heal me.  Do so if it is in accord with your will.  But, if it is not your will, I submit to your decision and I trust you to do for me what is for my best..  Personally, I do not anoint people who that demand that God honor their wish and are unwilling to accept any other. 

8) Raphel:  The bottom line is that death is a part of our life.  Every one of us can expect to die and be prepared to personally meet our own death. Except for a few who will be alive at the 2nd Advent, everyone of us will eventually die.

 

 [NOTE:  I do not understand your question(s) in the 2nd paragraph of the post above.  So I have not responded to them..]

 

 

[Gregory Matthews]

NOTE:  AS many of you know, I have moved from my home in Colorado to a new home in California.  This has been a very long process that is not over yet and is still going on.  As a result, I am not giving as much time to CA as I have done in the past.  I am not responding to posts as quickly or as often as I have done in the past.

 

[Gregory Matthews]

I would not restrict anointing to SDAs, although such would be the exception.

 

[Gregory Matthews]

One of my fulfilling experiences as a hospital chaplain occurred when people would tell me that they had been given 6 - 12 months to live.  Early on I would say:  You have been given a blessing that many people have not received. [No, it might not be my first response.]

Then I would talk to them about planning their life, future and how they might have it end with no unfinished business:

1)  If they wanted to re-establish a relationship prior to their death, they had time.

2)  If they wanted to see their grandchildren, children, etc., once more, they had time.  

3) IF they had some place they had always wanted to visit, they had time to do so.

4)    IOW, they had time to do whatever they want to do/accomplish in their lives, they had time to work on it.

 

[Raphael]

Yes you're right Gregory Mathews.. The healing is beyond physical boundaries, particularly when oiling one's whole scalp, sorta.. It fixes your moods and even thoughts.. Like aligning it with what's supposed to be.. But the request upon what one wants God to bestow upon the oil should be well understood.. No assuming, no guessings.. Or the very least mix ur assumptions and guesses with clearly defined requests.

Now what I want to share and remind.. Though I pray it to be unnecessary, is the dangers of obtaining blessings with no repentance (stubborn rebelliousness)..

The history of the Israelite sites most blessed with Christ's personal presence of might, healing, and miracles that included Capernaum stand as mute witness to what has befallen upon that area.. One can google about the current state of those places.

So stay blessed.

Edited March 27, 2016 by Raphael
Added to 1rst Paragraph

[Raphael]

I'm very sure Christ's personal and direct presence is far greater then any oil.. Remember how people came to Christ and Christ said your faith has healed? Healed at healing levels beyond oil feats. He was far so far above oils.. And that's how it was all prepared for the First Rain and the birth of Christianity. The point is, those incredibly dazzling miraculous mind-boggling blessing are not without danger. What danger did it do to the Israel as a nation that rejected and instead crucified Him? History tells.

Stay blessed. 

[Raphael]

I just learned that olive oil is a good nutrition supplement for drinking or oral too.. So extra2 benefit..

?

[Gregory Matthews]

Speaking from personal experience, denominations that have anointing as a sacramental service and consider it to be very important place strict boundaries on such.  With those boundaries in place, they would never permit common drinking of such used in anointing.

 

[Raphael]

Ok thanks for the input on denomination rules.. First it's used for only for near-death or about-to-die situations and then it's strictly prohibited to drink but only allowed to touch the outer skin or parts of the body..

Why should it be restricted to about-to- die only situations? And what would be the differing significance between outer body use and inner body that demands strict forbidence?

Anyway my real purpose in writing now is to share my experience that this anointed oil application's effect sort of numbs down with the passing of time and it's regular usage.. For those experiencing that.. You can try, additionally, applying (good with massage) this anointed oil all over the entire body.. Ofcourse you will need assistance cause can't do this alone.. But then I'm pretty sure that eventually numbing or sort of less of felt effect will still later appear after reguler applications of these.. Perhaps that's why it's best for special occasions only and not for highly frequent usage? Well you can find what suits best.. Anyway the promise given was a broken hard trail or path not a comfy passage, so if upstairs keeps giving too much comfort, it will be in discord with the entirety principle of the plan of salvation. As the word salavation implies, it mean the salvation or to save from something right? If all is well and oke, then it's hard to imagine the need for help or salvation ya?

The bottomline is never give up or don't faint or in a contemporary expression "keep trying (you're best)".. Which I believe you can see includes the effort to gain assistance through this anointed oil, among others..

GBU

[Gregory Matthews]

I have just reviewed this thread as well as other posts that Raphael has made.

My overall perception is that Raphael is having a lot of fun with his posts and the responses that he get from them.

One example of this is  the implication that there might be a benefit to using the anointing oil in a whole body massage. 

 

 

[Raphael]

Massages are wholesome and good for health.. And are practiced in SDA hospitals by therapists..

I'm not really well versed in Bible qoutations, so I also don't know the Biblical grounds used for these SDA mentioned regulations..

But the practice of only using anointing for near death situations is clearly incompatible with Davids anointing by the prophet Samuel.. And i believe there are more of such instances in the Bible that reveal non near death circumstances..

Now about that strict prohibition of drinking the anointing oil.. I would love to learn the words of the holy scripture on that.. Would Gregory Mathews care to share these with us? Let's make this fun, joyful and enlightening..

Thanks

[Gregory Matthews]

Raphael said, below:

While I so  believe that Raphael is having fun with us, he has raised a question that deserves an answer.

In SDA thinking, the practice of anointing is generally associated with James 5: 14.  In this passage, anointing is associated with illness.  It is not associated with other types of anointing, such as David's anointing by Samuel.  Raphael is clearly correct in stating that Biblically anointing is associated with more than illness. 

In the SDA tradition, anointing may (?) not be often practiced.  But, it is done.  And when done it is typically done in private.  In the U.S.A, people have an expectation of privacy  as related to their illness.  This expectation can extend to legal consequences when such information is made public.  So, an anointing, when done, is not, in generally accepted SDA practice be made public.

Having said that:  In the common mind, anointing is probably typically associated  near-death situations.  That is not the Biblical positon of James 5:14.  It is also not the positon of the SDA church.  Anointing in the SDA Church may and does take place in illness that is not near-death.  

 

But the practice of only using anointing for near death situations is clearly incompatible with Davids anointing by the prophet Samuel.. And i believe there are more of such instances in the Bible that reveal non near death circumstances.