Lesson 78

Intro Review:

Find next what we are supposed to do in this type of situation. 5:14b

Let him call for the elders of the church,

- Conclusion is that what James and the early church were referring to is the spiritual leadership of the church i.e. P/T + deacons.

Notice then the first step in his recovery - take the initiative, (swallow your pride) and summon the P/T.

and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

What's the main emphasis of phrase?

What's happening here? They attend to any medical needs first.

There were at the time 2 main uses of oil that could be referred to here.

#1 - The common practice of using oil as a means of refreshment and grooming. Lk 7:38; 7:46; Mt 6:17

#2 - It was also used for its medicinal affects.

Lk. 10:34 of the good Samaritan poured oil and wine on his wounds

What I believe that James is saying here is to use the best medical treatment available that you can.

James does not consider the medical treatment, the oil, as the healing agent.

Instead of teaching "faith healing" apart from the use of medicine James taught just the opposite - the two are to be used together.

5:15 And the prayer offered in faith

So because they pray consistent with the will of God they can have the confidence.

will restore the one who is sick, (future active indicative of sw,|zw - deliver, rescue - in the context here restore is a good translation (future = promise)

and the Lord will raise him up, (future act indicative - evgei,rw - to raise up

- here is the promise of physical restoration in God's timing.

and if (3rd class conditional statement) he has committed sins

- the 3rd class says that sin may or may not have been the cause of this individuals condition

- may have become sick and then reacted to the situation

The Promise - they will be forgiven him.

5:16a Prelude to realizing the importance of Prayer in the restoration

Therefore, confess your sins to one another

One of two possibilities have put this individual in the state we find him.

#1 he is a believer who has perpetuated a sinful state

Result:

#2 He was faced with a test - CHP of sickness in his life - reacted to it - probably became bitter, the old Why me Lord?

When the elders arrived they were to do two things:

#1 - check to see that proper medical treatment had been utilized if there is physical illness involved.

#2 - Pray with him in total confidence that God's will would be carried out.

Part of the process of spiritual restoration, the refocusing of this individuals life, is the next command.

confess your sins to one another evxomologe,w - to openly agree with - to cite - to name;