CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.0 Introduction

This section discusses the background to the study, bringing out the problem and purpose for which the study is carried out. It also poses some questions upon which the entire research work centers on not living out the limitations of the study and organization of work.

1.1Background to the Study

According to some beliefs, the qualities of divinity can, by anointing are transferred into men as well. In Greek mythology the sea nymph thetis anointed her mortal child Achilles with ambrosia in order to make him immortal. People and objects are anointed to mark the introduction of divine influence, a holy emanation, spirit, or power.Anointing with oil was traditional among the Hebrews as a practice of welcoming someone to their home. It was also common for early Christians to anoint themselves as a way to revive or energize their bodies.[1] But it is an amazing thing to observe the revivals and the religious practices in churches the way wrongly use of the oil nowadays. Jesus did not avoid the sick. Instead he showed them that God loves them, and he healed a great many of them since his Church is not only a community of faith but also a community of life, every individual should be able to discover that in her (church) he has a brother or sister.[2]

Anointing is a cosmic sign related to cleansing and touching in anthropological studies as well as in classical literature of ancient Greece and Rome. Oil, which corresponded to soap (usually with perfume of some kind) seems to have been the most popular substance for anointing. It was used for washing, for athletic events, for religious rites, for designation of special persons. Very primitive religions may have seen the virtue and power of a sacrificial animal passed to the one anointed with the fat of that sacrifice.[3]

In the Old Testament, a person or thing was beinganointed to make it sacred. Moses anointed the meeting tent, the ark, the table, the lamp stand, the altar, Aaron and his sons as priests (Exod. 30: 27-30). But the use of anointing oil in the churches today is alarming and are absolutely eye catching with the big slogans attach to those practices such as “come and experience the power of God”, “come and receive your miracle”, etc.

These show and slogans are put in place to draw people to themselves (pastors) and their desire to help people from whatever oppression they might be experiencing through the use of anointing oil. A majority of these pastors use portions, and they are heavily paid for.[4] They claim that this practice is biblical; and some Nigerian Air Force (NAF) protestant churches are proponent of this practice. They emphasize that the church must be the hand of Christ in all things; Christians are not to be poor, sick, victims of witchcraft, demons or any other thing that is not good for them.

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3. 3. As a source for ideas for your own research work (if properly referenced).
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5. 5. Direct citing (if referenced properly)
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