Theological Glossary
Six Christian traditions define Anointing below — each in its own words, paraphrased from its official documents. These are attributed positions, not assertions of fact.
The Catholic Church teaches that the Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament for those seriously ill or in danger of death, conferring spiritual strength, peace, forgiveness of sins, and at times bodily healing. It holds that the sacrament unites the sick person to Christ's passion for their good and the good of the Church.
Source: CCC 1499–1532 ↗
The Orthodox Church teaches Holy Unction as a mystery of healing for soul and body, celebrated for the sick and — in Holy Week — for all the faithful. It holds that the anointing with blessed oil conveys God's healing grace, forgiving sins and restoring wholeness.
Lutherans do not count anointing a sacrament, but teach that prayer for the sick — including anointing with oil after the pattern of James 5 — is a commendable pastoral practice. They hold that healing comes from God's mercy in response to prayer, not from the rite itself.
The Reformed tradition does not practice anointing as a sacrament, teaching that Christ ordained only two sacraments — baptism and the Lord’s Supper. It holds that the sick are to be prayed for by the elders, trusting God for healing according to his will.
Source: Westminster Confession 27.4 ↗
Baptists practice the anointing of the sick with oil by the elders, following James 5, as an act of prayer for healing. They hold that it is the prayer of faith that saves the sick, and that anointing is a symbolic accompaniment to prayer, not a sacrament.
Source: James 5:14–15 ↗
Methodists practice anointing with oil as part of the Church's ministry of healing, accompanying prayer for the sick. They hold that anointing is a pastoral and liturgical act expressing God's care, not a sacrament, and that healing rests in God's sovereign will.
Source: United Methodist Book of Worship — Services of Healing ↗
See how the traditions compare on related topics: