Who has the biblical authority to anoint someone with oil?

The answer depends upon the purpose of the anointing. Scripture distinguishes between personal anointing, anointing the sick, consecrating people or places, and appointing someone to a particular position of authority or ministry. Personal anointing is available to everyone and does not require permission from a religious leader. Ruth 3:3, Ecclesiastes 9:8 and Matthew 6:17 demonstrate that ordinary people could anoint themselves. Through Jesus Christ, believers are also welcomed into His royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:4--9), with direct access to the Father through their High Priest in heaven. However, this freedom should not be confused with unlimited authority to anoint or appoint other people. Romans 13:1 establishes the principle that authority must be recognised and respected. Anointing someone else involves responsibility, and anointing a person for ministry is particularly significant because genuine spiritual appointment must originate with God rather than human ambition or personal preference.

For the anointing of the sick, James 5:14--15 specifically instructs believers to call upon the elders of the Church. These are people who should be spiritually mature in their knowledge, understanding, wisdom and ability to minister in faith. When appointing someone to ministry, those involved must seek the leading of the Holy Spirit, test what they believe they have heard and respect the appropriate authority through which the appointment is to take place. Scripture demonstrates this principle when Samuel anoints David according to God's direction (1 Samuel 16:1--13). Similarly, dedicating a home, place or possession belongs within the sphere of responsibility entrusted to those performing the act. Anointing is never intended to become a means of asserting control over others or assigning ourselves a position that God has not given us. Jesus provides the ultimate example of spiritual authority: He reigned through serving, submitted Himself to the Father and used His authority to save, heal, deliver and restore. Every act of anointing should reflect that same dependence upon God's will and that same willingness to serve.