Laying on of hands
Laying on of hands is the fourth one of the fundamental principles of the doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ. Some Gospel Ministers say “I don’t go along with that”. That’s a very serious thing to repudiate any of the fundamental principles of the doctrine of Jesus. Laying on of hands is a doctrine that has been greatly neglected. Have you considered how many sermons you have heard on this subject? Yet the Word of God had a great deal to say about the laying of hands. It’s surprising that some Christians see no significance at all in this scriptural ordinance and doctrine. What precisely are we to understand by the phrase laying on of hands? Let’s read on to find out.
What is laying on of hands?
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of the resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
Hebrews 6:1-2 KJV
Laying on of hands implies three things;
- Transferring blessing or authority,
- Public acknowledgment of blessing or authority already received by the one receiving laying on of hands,
- Publicly committing the one on whom hands are laid to God for some special task or ministry.
In the Old Testament, it was an accepted practice to lay hands for blessing or special anointing at the direction of God.
Hands were laid to transfer blessings
Genesis 48:14-15 (KJV)
And Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it upon Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn.
And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day…
Examining the above scripture, laying on of hands was an accepted practice for transferring blessings. The right hand was for greater blessings which normally went to the firstborn.
Numbers 27:18-19(KJV)
And the Lord said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the Son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay thine hand upon him; And set him before Eleazer the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight.
In the above Scripture, Moses was able to fulfill two things by laying hands on Joshua; He transferred to Joshua a measure of spiritual wisdom and honour that he had received from God
1 Timothy 1:18-19
This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck.
Hands were laid on Paul and Barnabas
Laying on of hands was also used in the New Testament to commission ministers. A clear-cut example of this occurs in Antioch when Paul and Barnabas were sent out.
Acts 13:1-3
Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul unto the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed and laid hands on them they sent them away.
The Holy Ghost had called Paul and Barnabas for special work and had apparently spoken to them individually prior to this meeting. The Holy Spirit spoke publicly probably through one of the elders. The others fasted and prayed to confirm the Holy Spirit’s call to the work. Paul and Barnabas were sent forth to complete the work assigned by the Holy Ghost. They were confirmed as Apostles.
After fulfilling the work they were called to do, they returned to Antioch and gave an account of all that the Lord had done.
And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. And when they were come and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
The scripture above uncloaks the outcome of the commissioning of Paul and Barnabas
* The church leaders laid hands on them, which commended them to the grace of God.
* They were able to work successfully without omissions.
* The impact of their ministry on the Gentiles opened a door of faith.
Hands were laid on elders and Deacons
Lastly, laying on of hands was used to commission Elders and Deacons. There are profound scriptures in the Bible that reveals how Elders and Deacons were commissioned to work successfully in the ministry without failures.
And when they had ordained them elders in every church and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
Acts 14:23 KJV
Paul and Barnabas left a group of believers ( disciples) as they made their journey to another town. As they made their return journey, they visited this group of believers and appointed them as Elders in each town they had left a group of believers.
Viewing the scripture above, we can clearly see that the phrase ‘laying on of hands” was not displayed but through spiritual discernment it is very certain the act of laying hands was demonstrated at that scene. It takes laying on of hands for people to be made Elders. Laying on of hands was so essential that when Paul could not do it in Crete, he left Titus to set things in order and appoint elders in each city.
Titus 1:5
For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city as I had appointed thee.
There is another example we have in the scripture about the selection of Deacons in Acts.
And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not the reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
Acts 6:1-6 KJV
The Deacons were particularly selected to resolve the issue of uneven disposition of help to the different groups of widows. The word Deacon means “server of tables”. Deacons were selected by a group of believers and then confirmed and appointed by the laying on of hands of the elders. Stephen was one of the seven men chosen to be responsible for the distribution of food to widows in the early church.
Hands are laid to introduce people to the infilling of the Holy Spirit
And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
2He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Caution!
Though laying on of hands is a very spiritual act, there is a scripture that warns believers about hastily laying hands of people.
Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.
There are three warnings in the above verse;
* Do not lay hands on people hastily
* Do not be a partaker of other’s sins
* Keep yourself pure
Laying on of hands is not just a show or religious ceremony. It really has a spiritual effect. Laying on of hands occurs when there is direct spiritual contact. When two spirits contact directly, there can be spiritual harm.
Though there are warnings about this glorious and spiritual act, there are ways as believers and ministers to protect ourselves from any detrimental effects.
- Firstly, the ministry of laying on of hands should never be exercised lightly or spontaneously but with humility and a spirit of prayer.
- Secondly, a minister requires the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit at every stage; with whom to pray, how to pray and when to pray.
- Lastly, a minister who lays hands on people must be empowered by the Holy Spirit that he is able to overcome any kind of evil spiritual influence seeking to enter in or through the one on whom hands are laid.
Conclusion
This article emphatically unveils how God wants us to leave, (not abandon but move on from) the elementary principles of Christ. He wants us to progress beyond them. The scripture above boldly presents laying on of hands as a doctrine that should be studied to shove us into maturity.
