The ministry of the laying on of hands has been nearly lost. People do it on the sick, but have lost its application in other areas. It is mentioned often in the Bible. In the Bible, the laying on of hands is a key to releasing power. It was used:
-in the application of an anointing for ministry,
- in the bestowing of spiritual gifts,
- in the restoring of blessings,
- in the ordaining of ministries,
- in the receiving of the baptism of the Holy Spirit,
- in the confirming of prophecy.
Hands are often connected with natural and spiritual power.
Leviticus 9:22 "AARON LIFTED UP HIS HAND TOWARD THE PEOPLE, AND BLESSED THEM."
Psalms 20:6 "HE WILL HEAR FROM HEAVEN WITH THE SAVING STRENGTH OF HIS RIGHT HAND."
In the Old Testament, Jacob conferred blessings on Joseph's sons by laying on of hands.
Genesis 48:14-16 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...HE BLESSED JOSEPH..."
Also in the Old Testament, the priests would lay hands upon the animal that was offered to the Lord. This was typical of the transmission of guilt from man to the sacrifice.
Leviticus 16:21-22 "AND AARON SHALL LAY BOTH HIS HANDS UPON THE HEAD OF THE LIVE GOAT, AND CONFESS OVER HIM ALL THE INIQUITIES... PUTTING THEM ON THE HEAD OF THE GOAT, AND SHALL SEND HIM AWAY... THE GOAT SHALL BEAR UPON HIM ALL THEIR INIQUITIES UNTO A LAND NOT INHABITED..."
Witnesses against a criminal often laid their hands on the accused person before they stoned him. This was confirmation of their witness. (Deuteronomy 17:7)
When Israel would ordain some of the Levites into the priesthood, they would lay hands upon them to transfer to them authority, and give them blessing for their ministry.
Leviticus 8:9-11 "AND THOU SHALT BRING THE LEVITES BEFORE THE LORD; AND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL SHALL PUT THEIR HANDS UPON THE LEVITES; AND AARON SHALL OFFER THE LEVITES BEFORE THE LORD FOR AN OFFERING..."
Joshua was ordained to take Moses place by the laying on of hands.
Numbers 27:15-23 "...TAKE THEE JOSHUA...LAY THINE HAND UPON HIM: GIVE HIM A CHARGE IN ALL THEIR SIGHT. AND THOU SHALT GIVE HIM SOME OF THINE HONOUR UPON HIM...HE LAID HANDS UPON HIM, AND GAVE HIM A CHARGE, AS THE LORD COMMANDED BY THE HAND OF MOSES."
The laying on of hands had a special significance of bestowing power, guilt, blessing, honor or ministry. Then in the New Testament, Jesus came and began to lay hands on the sick.
Luke 4:40 "...AND HE LAID HANDS ON EVERY ONE OF THEM, AND HEALED THEM."
Luke 5:13 "AND HE PUT FORTH HIS HAND, AND TOUCHED HIM, SAYING I WILL; BE THOU CLEAN. AND IMMEDIATELY THE LEPROSY DEPARTED FROM HIM..."
Luke 13:13 "...AND HE LAID HANDS ON HER; AND IMMEDIATELY SHE WAS MADE STRAIGHT, AND GLORIFIED GOD."
Luke 22:51 "...AND HE TOUCHED HIS EAR, AND HEALED HIM."
(See also -Matthew 8:3,15, 9:29, Mark 1:41,5:23, 6:5, 7:32, 8:23, 16:18)
The disciples observed Jesus lay hands upon many and saw the great miracles that were done. Jesus had taught them that these miracles were wrought in this way by the power of the Holy Spirit. Then after the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, the disciples began to lay hands on the sick and afflicted. Miracles and healings were done in great numbers.
Acts 5:12 "AND BY THE HANDS OF THE APOSTLES WERE MANY SIGNS AND WONDERS WROUGHT AMONG THE PEOPLE."
Paul also began to lay hands on the sick. Healings and miracles followed his ministry.
Acts 28:8 "PAUL ENTERED IN AND PRAYED, AND LAID HIS HANDS ON HIM, AND HEALED HIM."
Acts 19:11 "AND GOD WROUGHT SPECIAL MIRACLES BY THE HANDS OF PAUL."
There are many methods by which the Lord has instituted the workings of healings and miracles. For some there is to be the anointing with oil, prayer cloths for others, and last, but not least, the laying on of hands. The church is told to lay hands on many.
Mark 16:18 "THEY SHALL LAY HANDS ON THE SICK, AND THEY SHALL RECOVER."
Paul was healed of his blindness, and filled with the baptism of the Holy Spirit when Ananias laid hands on him and prayed.
Acts 9:17 "AND ANANIAS... PUTTING HIS HANDS ON HIM SAID, 'BROTHER SAUL... RECEIVE THY SIGHT, AND BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT..."
The church at Ephesus received the baptism of the Holy Spirit when Paul laid hands on them and prayed.
Acts 19:6 "AND WHEN PAUL HAD LAID HIS HANDS UPON THEM, THE HOLY SPIRIT CAME ON THEM, AND THEY SPOKE WITH TONGUES..."
The laying on of hands seems to confer, on the recipient, a healing, or some other Spiritual gift. The people of that day noticed this connection. Simon noticed that people received the baptism of the Holy Spirit when the disciples laid hands on them. He desired to be able to do this too.
Acts 8:18 "WHEN SIMON SAW THAT THROUGH THE LAYING ON OF HANDS, THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS GIVEN, HE OFFERED THEM MONEY."
Timothy was given a special spiritual gift when Paul laid hands on him.
II Timothy 1:6 "WHEREFORE, I PUT THEE IN REMEMBRANCE THAT THOU STIR UP THE GIFT OF GOD WHICH IS IN THEE BY THE PUTTING ON OF MY HANDS..."
I Timothy 4:14 "NEGLECT NOT THE GIFT THAT IS IN THEE, WHICH WAS GIVEN THEE BY PROPHECY WITH THE LAYING ON OF THE HANDS OF THE PRESBYTERY..."
We have gotten too far from this type of ministry. We lay hands on people to pray, but expect no great thing to happen. It has become little more than a form or tradition to us. The church receives what they expect...little or nothing. If we would look at the Scripture, and observe that the laying on of hands was meant to confer something...then have faith that God still intends to bless us in this way...the expectancy would bring fresh blessing from the Lord upon this type of ministry.
The laying on of hands was also used to impart a blessing.
Mark 10:16 "AND HE TOOK THEM UP IN HIS ARMS, PUT HIS HANDS UPON THEM, AND BLESSED THEM.
The sending out of people to do ministry was also accompanied with the laying on of hands.
Acts 13:2-3 "WHEN THEY FASTED AND PRAYED, AND LAID THEIR HANDS ON THEM, THEY SENT THEM AWAY. SO THEY BEING SENT OUT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, DEPARTED..."
Acts 6:6 "WHOM (deacons) THEY SAT BEFORE THE APOSTLES; WHEN THEY HAD PRAYED, THEY LAID THEIR HANDS ON THEM."
The laying on of hands has power. Therefore, as with any tool that has power, caution needs to be used with the operation of it. We must beware of laying hands of blessing on people that are sinners.
I Timothy 5:22 "LAY HANDS SUDDENLY ON NO MAN, NEITHER BE PARTAKER OF OTHER MEN'S SINS; KEEP YOURSELF PURE."
Amplified Version (I Tim. 5:22) "DO NOT BE IN A HURRY IN THE LAYING ON OF HANDS - GIVING THE SANCTION OF THE CHURCH TO HASTILY (IN REINSTATING EXPELLED OFFENDERS, OR IN ORDINATION OF QUESTIONABLE CASES) NOR SHARE OR PARTICIPATE IN ANOTHER MAN'S SINS; KEEP YOURSELF PURE."
One must be proven faithful and true before we should lay hands on them to give gifts and blessings. Don't get carried away with this ministry. Let love and wisdom guide. Follow the Spirit's leading. Don't rush ahead of Him.
Even with this caution, the church, especially during these last days, should be laying hands on people:
in praying for the sick,
in conferring the baptism of the Holy Spirit,
in imparting spiritual gifts,
in connection with prophecy to give confirmation,
in bestowing spiritual blessing,
in confirmation and ordination of ministries,
in sending out believers to do evangelism outside the church.
If you have a particular gift of the Spirit for which you have been praying, you should seek someone who has that gift and ask them to lay hands upon you and confer this gift upon you also. If you have never received the baptism of the Spirit at all, then seek someone who has been filled with the Spirit and ask them to lay hands on you and pray for you to receive.
The church needs more spiritual gifts in operation. So few Christians operate in the gifts. Some gifts are not as evident as they should be. Why not ? Perhaps we have forgotten that the Lord has shown and demonstrated how these gifts are to be conferred. The gifts of the Spirit are free, unmerited bestowments from God. We all desire them, and want them in the church. The Bible says to -"seek" - "desire" - and to "be zealous for" these gifts. So why not seek them in the way the Lord has illustrated in the Bible that they were conferred in the days of the early church ? Through the laying on of hands of someone who is Spirit-filled, and gifted, these gifts will be imparted. Some have a gift of healing from the Spirit, and when sick, it would be wise to have that one lay hands on you and pray. When someone has the gift of the word of knowledge, and you have been earnestly seeking to have that gift - why not have them lay hands on you to confer this gift to you from the Spirit ?
-in the application of an anointing for ministry,
- in the bestowing of spiritual gifts,
- in the restoring of blessings,
- in the ordaining of ministries,
- in the receiving of the baptism of the Holy Spirit,
- in the confirming of prophecy.
Hands are often connected with natural and spiritual power.
Leviticus 9:22 "AARON LIFTED UP HIS HAND TOWARD THE PEOPLE, AND BLESSED THEM."
Psalms 20:6 "HE WILL HEAR FROM HEAVEN WITH THE SAVING STRENGTH OF HIS RIGHT HAND."
In the Old Testament, Jacob conferred blessings on Joseph's sons by laying on of hands.
Genesis 48:14-16 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...HE BLESSED JOSEPH..."
Also in the Old Testament, the priests would lay hands upon the animal that was offered to the Lord. This was typical of the transmission of guilt from man to the sacrifice.
Leviticus 16:21-22 "AND AARON SHALL LAY BOTH HIS HANDS UPON THE HEAD OF THE LIVE GOAT, AND CONFESS OVER HIM ALL THE INIQUITIES... PUTTING THEM ON THE HEAD OF THE GOAT, AND SHALL SEND HIM AWAY... THE GOAT SHALL BEAR UPON HIM ALL THEIR INIQUITIES UNTO A LAND NOT INHABITED..."
Witnesses against a criminal often laid their hands on the accused person before they stoned him. This was confirmation of their witness. (Deuteronomy 17:7)
When Israel would ordain some of the Levites into the priesthood, they would lay hands upon them to transfer to them authority, and give them blessing for their ministry.
Leviticus 8:9-11 "AND THOU SHALT BRING THE LEVITES BEFORE THE LORD; AND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL SHALL PUT THEIR HANDS UPON THE LEVITES; AND AARON SHALL OFFER THE LEVITES BEFORE THE LORD FOR AN OFFERING..."
Joshua was ordained to take Moses place by the laying on of hands.
Numbers 27:15-23 "...TAKE THEE JOSHUA...LAY THINE HAND UPON HIM: GIVE HIM A CHARGE IN ALL THEIR SIGHT. AND THOU SHALT GIVE HIM SOME OF THINE HONOUR UPON HIM...HE LAID HANDS UPON HIM, AND GAVE HIM A CHARGE, AS THE LORD COMMANDED BY THE HAND OF MOSES."
The laying on of hands had a special significance of bestowing power, guilt, blessing, honor or ministry. Then in the New Testament, Jesus came and began to lay hands on the sick.
Luke 4:40 "...AND HE LAID HANDS ON EVERY ONE OF THEM, AND HEALED THEM."
Luke 5:13 "AND HE PUT FORTH HIS HAND, AND TOUCHED HIM, SAYING I WILL; BE THOU CLEAN. AND IMMEDIATELY THE LEPROSY DEPARTED FROM HIM..."
Luke 13:13 "...AND HE LAID HANDS ON HER; AND IMMEDIATELY SHE WAS MADE STRAIGHT, AND GLORIFIED GOD."
Luke 22:51 "...AND HE TOUCHED HIS EAR, AND HEALED HIM."
(See also -Matthew 8:3,15, 9:29, Mark 1:41,5:23, 6:5, 7:32, 8:23, 16:18)
The disciples observed Jesus lay hands upon many and saw the great miracles that were done. Jesus had taught them that these miracles were wrought in this way by the power of the Holy Spirit. Then after the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, the disciples began to lay hands on the sick and afflicted. Miracles and healings were done in great numbers.
Acts 5:12 "AND BY THE HANDS OF THE APOSTLES WERE MANY SIGNS AND WONDERS WROUGHT AMONG THE PEOPLE."
Paul also began to lay hands on the sick. Healings and miracles followed his ministry.
Acts 28:8 "PAUL ENTERED IN AND PRAYED, AND LAID HIS HANDS ON HIM, AND HEALED HIM."
Acts 19:11 "AND GOD WROUGHT SPECIAL MIRACLES BY THE HANDS OF PAUL."
There are many methods by which the Lord has instituted the workings of healings and miracles. For some there is to be the anointing with oil, prayer cloths for others, and last, but not least, the laying on of hands. The church is told to lay hands on many.
Mark 16:18 "THEY SHALL LAY HANDS ON THE SICK, AND THEY SHALL RECOVER."
Paul was healed of his blindness, and filled with the baptism of the Holy Spirit when Ananias laid hands on him and prayed.
Acts 9:17 "AND ANANIAS... PUTTING HIS HANDS ON HIM SAID, 'BROTHER SAUL... RECEIVE THY SIGHT, AND BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT..."
The church at Ephesus received the baptism of the Holy Spirit when Paul laid hands on them and prayed.
Acts 19:6 "AND WHEN PAUL HAD LAID HIS HANDS UPON THEM, THE HOLY SPIRIT CAME ON THEM, AND THEY SPOKE WITH TONGUES..."
The laying on of hands seems to confer, on the recipient, a healing, or some other Spiritual gift. The people of that day noticed this connection. Simon noticed that people received the baptism of the Holy Spirit when the disciples laid hands on them. He desired to be able to do this too.
Acts 8:18 "WHEN SIMON SAW THAT THROUGH THE LAYING ON OF HANDS, THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS GIVEN, HE OFFERED THEM MONEY."
Timothy was given a special spiritual gift when Paul laid hands on him.
II Timothy 1:6 "WHEREFORE, I PUT THEE IN REMEMBRANCE THAT THOU STIR UP THE GIFT OF GOD WHICH IS IN THEE BY THE PUTTING ON OF MY HANDS..."
I Timothy 4:14 "NEGLECT NOT THE GIFT THAT IS IN THEE, WHICH WAS GIVEN THEE BY PROPHECY WITH THE LAYING ON OF THE HANDS OF THE PRESBYTERY..."
We have gotten too far from this type of ministry. We lay hands on people to pray, but expect no great thing to happen. It has become little more than a form or tradition to us. The church receives what they expect...little or nothing. If we would look at the Scripture, and observe that the laying on of hands was meant to confer something...then have faith that God still intends to bless us in this way...the expectancy would bring fresh blessing from the Lord upon this type of ministry.
The laying on of hands was also used to impart a blessing.
Mark 10:16 "AND HE TOOK THEM UP IN HIS ARMS, PUT HIS HANDS UPON THEM, AND BLESSED THEM.
The sending out of people to do ministry was also accompanied with the laying on of hands.
Acts 13:2-3 "WHEN THEY FASTED AND PRAYED, AND LAID THEIR HANDS ON THEM, THEY SENT THEM AWAY. SO THEY BEING SENT OUT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, DEPARTED..."
Acts 6:6 "WHOM (deacons) THEY SAT BEFORE THE APOSTLES; WHEN THEY HAD PRAYED, THEY LAID THEIR HANDS ON THEM."
The laying on of hands has power. Therefore, as with any tool that has power, caution needs to be used with the operation of it. We must beware of laying hands of blessing on people that are sinners.
I Timothy 5:22 "LAY HANDS SUDDENLY ON NO MAN, NEITHER BE PARTAKER OF OTHER MEN'S SINS; KEEP YOURSELF PURE."
Amplified Version (I Tim. 5:22) "DO NOT BE IN A HURRY IN THE LAYING ON OF HANDS - GIVING THE SANCTION OF THE CHURCH TO HASTILY (IN REINSTATING EXPELLED OFFENDERS, OR IN ORDINATION OF QUESTIONABLE CASES) NOR SHARE OR PARTICIPATE IN ANOTHER MAN'S SINS; KEEP YOURSELF PURE."
One must be proven faithful and true before we should lay hands on them to give gifts and blessings. Don't get carried away with this ministry. Let love and wisdom guide. Follow the Spirit's leading. Don't rush ahead of Him.
Even with this caution, the church, especially during these last days, should be laying hands on people:
in praying for the sick,
in conferring the baptism of the Holy Spirit,
in imparting spiritual gifts,
in connection with prophecy to give confirmation,
in bestowing spiritual blessing,
in confirmation and ordination of ministries,
in sending out believers to do evangelism outside the church.
If you have a particular gift of the Spirit for which you have been praying, you should seek someone who has that gift and ask them to lay hands upon you and confer this gift upon you also. If you have never received the baptism of the Spirit at all, then seek someone who has been filled with the Spirit and ask them to lay hands on you and pray for you to receive.
The church needs more spiritual gifts in operation. So few Christians operate in the gifts. Some gifts are not as evident as they should be. Why not ? Perhaps we have forgotten that the Lord has shown and demonstrated how these gifts are to be conferred. The gifts of the Spirit are free, unmerited bestowments from God. We all desire them, and want them in the church. The Bible says to -"seek" - "desire" - and to "be zealous for" these gifts. So why not seek them in the way the Lord has illustrated in the Bible that they were conferred in the days of the early church ? Through the laying on of hands of someone who is Spirit-filled, and gifted, these gifts will be imparted. Some have a gift of healing from the Spirit, and when sick, it would be wise to have that one lay hands on you and pray. When someone has the gift of the word of knowledge, and you have been earnestly seeking to have that gift - why not have them lay hands on you to confer this gift to you from the Spirit ?
