Yes. The Bible says so. James encourages the saints this way, “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. 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” (James 5: 13-15). At Sovereign Grace Fellowship, the church where I am honored to serve, and every other church I’ve served, we do this with some regularity.
Why would we do this? Because the Bible tells us to. Why does the Bible tell us to? I do not know. There are some who see here an opportunity for miraculous healing. Jesus healed miraculously, as did the apostles. The Bible says nothing whatsoever about this necessarily ending. God certainly may bring miraculous healing. He, after all, is the one telling us to do this. He is the one who healed in the past. Or, He may send providential healing, astonishing providential healing, working through the natural means He governs always.
Some, facing the reality of the command but uncomfortable with the idea of miraculous healing, would suggest that we are given this instruction because of the healing powers in the anointing, that James is simply encouraging the saints to seek medical care in the best way they knew how. They will insert into the text all manner of medical hoo-haw to make James sound more respectable to our modern ears. Most, however, are simply embarrassed by texts like this.
We are embarrassed, I would suggest, because we are still modernists at heart. Even we who as Reformed folk affirm the sovereignty of God over all things, like to believe that the world is a great machine, that God before time established His laws, wrote down His plan, and tipped over the first domino. We are practical deists. Anything that can’t be explained in clear scientific detail gives us the heebee-jeebees. Like this text from James.
What we ought to do, of course, is joyfully, and trustingly submit to our Father in heaven. He is wisdom. He knows all things. He directs all things. And He directs us not to break down His universe into its constituent parts so that we can understand it. Instead He directs us to obey. Our greatest sickness is that we think we know better than God.
Here is a suggestion. Why don’t you, if this is not practiced in your church, respectfully, showing all due honor and submission to him, ask an elder in your church why you don’t practice this command? Don’t pick a fight. Instead plant a seed. Tell him you’re not angling to import the Toronto blessing. Tell him you’re not angry, just curious. And see what he says. While you’re at it, add this to the process as well. Both before and after you ask, pray for your elders. Pray that God would grant them wisdom and courage. Pray that their calling would be fulfilled by them in all joy and patience. Whatever answer you receive, keep praying for your elders.