What Is Anointing Oil? Its Meaning & Use in the Christian Faith
What Is Anointing Oil?
Throughout Scripture, oil carries a beautiful and sacred significance. It was used to consecrate, meaning to set apart people, places, and things for the purposes of God.
One of the earliest examples is found in Genesis 28. After Jacob encounters God at Bethel, he takes the stone where he had rested, sets it up as a pillar, and pours oil over it.
The stone itself did not change, but its meaning did. What had once been ordinary became a marker of an encounter with God. Jacob used the oil as an act of consecration, intentionally setting that place apart unto the Lord.
As Scripture continues, we see oil connected to the presence of God, worship, service, calling, and consecration.
Anointing Oil in the Old Testament
In Exodus 30, God gave Moses specific instructions for preparing a holy anointing oil. This oil was used to consecrate the tabernacle and the objects used in worship. Everything connected to the worship and presence of God was to be treated as holy and set apart for Him. God also instructed Moses to anoint Aaron and his sons, consecrating them to serve as priests.
The oil became a visible sign that a person had been chosen and set apart for God’s purposes.
Throughout the Old Testament, we also see kings anointed with oil. Samuel anointed Saul and later David, and Scripture describes the Spirit of the Lord coming upon them.
Oil represented more than position. It pointed to calling, surrender, responsibility, and the presence of God.
Every anointed place, consecrated object, priest, and every king ultimately pointed towards Jesus Christ, the Anointed One.
Isaiah 61:1a says,
“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.”
Jesus is the fulfillment of the oil.
Through His death and resurrection, believers are invited into a new relationship with God. We are no longer dependent upon a physical ritual to receive God’s presence. Through faith in Jesus Christ, believers receive the Holy Spirit.
The same Spirit we see coming upon people throughout the Old Testament now dwells within those who belong to Christ.
Physical anointing oil can still serve as a meaningful biblical symbol, but our salvation, healing, power, and relationship with God do not come from the oil.
They come from Jesus.
Why Do Christians Use Anointing Oil Today?
The use of oil continues into the New Testament. James 5:14 says,
“Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.”
Scripture connects anointing with prayer, consecration, healing, and dependence upon God.
Anointing with oil can be a physical expression of something happening spiritually. It can represent prayer, surrender, consecration, faith, and the decision to set something apart unto the Lord.
How Can Anointing Oil Be Used?
Anointing oil may be used during personal prayer and worship, while praying over your family or home, when dedicating something to the Lord, or when praying with someone who is sick.
We use the oil to serve as a tangible reminder of consecration.
This item or person belongs to God. I belong to God. My trust is in Jesus. I believe Jesus for this healing.
This is the heart of consecration. Taking what is ordinary and intentionally surrendering it to God for His purposes.
More Than Oil
If you came to this page because you were curious about anointing oil but you do not yet know Jesus, there is something much greater than the oil that we want you to know. You do not need anointing oil to get close to God.
You need Jesus.
The Gospel is not an invitation into a religious ritual. It is an invitation into relationship with the Father through the Son.
Jesus Christ gave His life for our sins and rose again so that we could be reconciled to God, the Father. Through Him we receive forgiveness, grace, new life, and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The oil is a symbol. Jesus is the Savior.
Just as oil was used throughout Scripture to mark what had been set apart for God, Jesus invites us to surrender our entire lives to Him, to be made new, set apart, and used for His glory.
If you would like to receive prayer or learn more about Jesus please fill out our prayer request form and someone from our team will contact you.
Want to Go Deeper?
Anointing oil carries a much deeper story throughout Scripture. Explore the biblical themes of consecration, calling, surrender, suffering, and the work of the Holy Spirit in the Oil of Suffering teaching by Tierra Barber.
Read the Oil of Suffering Teaching
Product Disclaimer
Anointing oil is intended as a symbolic aid for prayer, worship, and personal consecration. The oil itself does not provide or guarantee physical, emotional, or spiritual healing. The oil is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Healing comes from God according to His will.
For external use only. Do not ingest. Before use, apply a small amount to a discreet area of skin and allow 24 hours to test for sensitivity. Discontinue use if irritation occurs. Avoid contact with eyes and other sensitive areas. Keep out of reach of children.