As used in the church today, the term anointing refers to a special grace given to a believer by the Lord through the Holy Spirit. The practice of anointing a person with olive oil symbolizes this spiritual endowment. It also pictures the power of Jesus to heal, which was conferred on him by the Spirit at his baptism.
In the ancient world, olive oil served a variety of purposes. It was burned in lampstands, was used on the body as a healing agent and cosmetic, and was an ingredient in breads and other food items. In Israel, olive oil was applied to the tabernacle furnishings and to the ears, thumbs, and great toes of the priests in setting them apart for the special use of the Lord (Num. 35:25; Ps. 133:2). Kings and prophets were also anointed with oil when they undertook their sacred callings: the king as God’s vice-regent and mediator of the covenant and the prophet as guardian of the covenant and spokesman for the Lord. For this reason, these men are often referred to as “the Lord’s anointed” (mashiḥ, “oily,” 1 Sam. 16:6; 24:6, 10; 2 Sam. 23:1; Ps. 2:2).
Many Christian congregations anoint with oil in conjunction with prayers for healing. The New Testament basis for this practice is found in the letter of James, in which he gives specific instructions to afflicted believers to have the church elders anoint them with oil and pray for them; confession of sin is also a requirement in this case. In obedience to these instructions, many charismatic and Pentecostal pastors routinely maintain a supply of olive oil at the church altar, available to be applied to those who ask for prayer for some physical infirmity.
This practice also has foundation in the understanding that Jesus is called “the Christ” (Christos, Acts 4:26), which is the Greek equivalent for the Hebrew “messiah” (mashiḥ). Peter refers to Jesus as the Servant whom God has anointed (Acts 4:27). When a sick person is anointed with oil, then, the healing power which Jesus Christ manifested in his ministry is being imparted to him. If anointing oil is associated with Jesus Christ, it follows that it will also be used as a symbol of the holy breath, or Spirit (Hebrew ruḥ; Greek pneuma) of Christ. Indeed, Jesus’ anointing, which was foretold by Isaiah (61:1) and fulfilled at his baptism in the Jordan river, was an anointing of the Spirit rather than of oil. Its purpose was not healing but commissioning (Luke 4:18).
Paul tells the Corinthian church that God has anointed him and sealed him, giving the Holy Spirit in his heart as a pledge (2 Cor. 1:21). John writes to an anonymous first-century church, “You have an anointing from the Holy One” (1 John 2:20). That this is an endowment of knowledge is made clear in verse 27:
As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in Him.
Pentecostal and charismatic Christians use the term anointing to mean empowerment or blessing conferred by Christ through the medium of the Holy Spirit. Pastors, teachers, musicians, and other Christian workers actively seek a special anointing of the Holy Spirit for effectiveness in their ministries. While oil is used frequently in prayer for healing, it is not as commonly used in requests for blessing or power in service. On occasion a missionary or other worker will be anointed with oil when the church commissions him or her; in most cases, however, oil itself is not used but an anointing of the Spirit is petitioned.