Anointing Cloths: Material, Faith, and Power Peter Schexnayder Often overlooked or misunderstood, anointed cloths remind God’s people of His amazing promise and benefits.
E veryone has experienced the oc - casional sick day. No one wants to feel awful. Spending a day cough- ing, sneezing or fighting the chills is never fun. But have you ever be - come so sick or ill you need help but none have come to your aid? In the Church of God, members un - derstand if they get that ill it is time to call the “elders” to be anointed. But what does a person do if there is no minister near their area? If so, many have requested something called an anointing cloth. A com- munication is made and a few days later an envelope comes in the mail, containing a small square of white cloth dabbed with oil, and a letter containing instructions on how to use it.
Why? What is the significance of an oily cloth? There are two physical components to an anointing cloth—the olive oil and the cloth. There is nothing in- herently special about olive oil or a cloth made from cotton or linen. It’s the anointing that makes it signifi - cant! Anointing Oil In the Bible, the Greek word anoint is mawshakh which means “to rub with oil”—especially to consecrate. An example is a soldier anoint- ing the animal hide portion of his shield, to condition and strengthen the material. In the ancient world anointing was common practice. Kings of Israel were anointed with oil as a testa- ment that they were chosen by God, and were often referred to as “God’s Anointed.” In Exodus 30 the Bible records the very first mention of anointing. Moses anointed Aaron as head of the priesthood with a special blend of oils used to consecrate— set apart—the very first Levites and portions of the temple they built. In Psalms 23:5 King David recorded: You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
The psalmist paints a picture of ex- ternal affliction and inner comfort. Instead of running in fear from pur- suing enemies, David sits down to eat and drink from a cup that is over- full. David knew he had God’s spe - cial blessing and authority. He knew that God would provide health and protection despite the surrounding danger. Similarly, New Testament Chris- tians are also set apart by an “anoint - ing” of the Holy Spirit (see I John 2:20). Although no physical oil is used during a baptism. In the New Testament, the name Christ and the name Messiah both mean “anoint - ed”. Specifically, it is the word christos in Greek, and mawshach, the Hebrew word we saw earlier, translated as Messias in the King James Bible. In Acts 10:38 it states: ...God anointed Jesus of Naza - reth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the dev - il, for God was with Him It is clear to see that anointing with oil represents the Holy Spirit— God’s power—desending upon an individual for a very specific pur - pose. The Holy Spirit can empow- er an individual for a high office or simply comfort them and restore them back to health.
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