What is extreme unction / last rites?

Answer

The Roman Catholic sacrament of anointing of the sick, also known as extreme unction, is administered to a seriously ill individual for spiritual and physical fortitude, or when someone is nearing death in preparation for the afterlife. A priest anoints the sick person with oil and offers prayers. When coupled with confession and the Eucharist, it is referred to as the “Last Rites.” Initially, it was exclusively for those severely ill and believed to be close to death. The Roman Catholic Church has been emphasizing that it is not solely intended for those on the brink of death. The Church asserts that this sacrament can be administered multiple times throughout a prolonged illness and should be sought before major surgery prompted by a severe illness. It can also be requested for individuals who are unconscious or incapacitated if they would have desired it when in control of their faculties.

The Roman Catholic Church cites the following passage as the biblical foundation for the sacrament: “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. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:13-16). Additionally, the Roman Catholic Church references Mark 6:13 (“And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them”) as the earliest mention of the sacrament of the anointing of the sick. While the Roman Catholic Church views it as the duty of every Christian to care for the sick and offer comfort, the sacrament of anointing of the sick holds a special significance within the Church’s teachings.Sick, it states that Christ instructed “His priests to anoint the sick while praying over them in a sacramental gesture that would be more properly a deed of His own personal care” cf: James 5:14.

The Roman Catholic Church teaches that “sacraments are outward signs of inward grace, instituted by Christ for our sanctification” (taken from the Catholic Encyclopedia). The Roman Catholic Church teaches that, while God gives grace to man without outward symbols (sacraments), He has also chosen to give grace to man through visible symbols and that, because He has, man is foolish to not make use of this God-provided means of gaining sanctification. In order to qualify as a sacrament, the Roman Catholic Church states that an action must meet the following three criteria: “a) the external, that is a sensibly perceptible sign of sanctifying grace; b) the conferring of sanctifying grace; c) the institution by God or, more accurately, by the God-Man Jesus Christ.” Thus, sacraments are not merely a symbol but are believed to actually confer sanctifying grace upon the recipient.

But when one examines the biblical passages that the Roman Catholic Church uses to validate their sacraments, one finds that the belief that they convey “sanctifying grace” is not in keeping with the context of the rest of the Bible. The Roman Catholic Church’s foundation for its belief in sacraments is its teaching that its priesthood is capable of exercising the sacraments in order to dispense the sanctifying grace, yet the only priesthood mentioned for New Testament times is the priesthood of all believers «But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: », (1 Peter 2:9). So, even this core doctrine (of the Roman Catholic Church priesthood), necessary for their sacramental system, is unfounded in Scripture.

Most evangelical churches would view the “anointing with oil” as the application of olive oil, historically used as a healing balm. Therefore, this passage encourages combining prayer with appropriate medical treatment for the illness. Typically, evangelical churches will have their elders (who represent the congregation) come and pray with the sick person while the individual also seeks modern medicine. Sometimes, in response to prayer, God graciously grants healing. Additionally, James 5:16 suggests that illness may occasionally result from God’s discipline due to sin. When that sin is confessed and abandoned, the need for discipline is lifted, and healing is bestowed. First Corinthians 11:30 is often referenced as an instance of illness being a form of God’s discipline for sin in a Christian’s life.

Salvation is not contingent on confessing all sins right before death. Salvation is not determined by “extreme unction,” which involves being anointed and prayed over by a priest. Salvation is established through personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”, (John 3:16). Thankfully, God allows for the decision of faith to be made up until the moment of death. However, this decision must be a personal and sincere acceptance of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). Following a ritual before death holds no significance in determining salvation and eternal destiny.