Laying on of Hands

Preached by Ps Jude Blayney

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Definition: It is the belief that divine power or qualities can be transferred from one believer to another by laying hands upon another individual.

Let's have a look in the Bible

In The Old Testament

Identification

The Priest laid his hands upon the scapegoat as a means of transferring personal guilt. (Emphasis added)

Leviticus 1:4: "Then he shall put his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him."

Leviticus 16:21-22: "Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, confess over it all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions, concerning all their sins, putting them on the head of the goat, and shall send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a suitable man. The goat shall bear on itself all their iniquities to an uninhabited land; and he shall release the goat in the wilderness."

A short note of explanation:

There were two goats used in relation to sin. See Leviticus 16:7-10. One was for the Lord and one was for escape. The one for the Lord makes our payment for sin. It covers our sin. This relates to the death of Jesus. The second goat is often called a scape goat. It completes the atonement by removing the sins away from us. This relates to the resurrection. Jesus rose from the dead for our justification. Romans 4:25. His death not only dealt with the payment for sin, but His resurrection completely removed sin from us.

Transferring Blessing

Jacob placed his hands upon Joseph's children to convey blessings.

Genesis 48:14-16: Then Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on Ephraim's head, which was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh's head, guiding his hands knowingly, for Manasseh was the firstborn. And he blessed Joseph, and said: "God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has fed me all my life long to this day, The Angel who has redeemed me from all evil, Bless the lads; Let my name be named upon them, And the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; And let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth."

Transferring Authority

Moses imparted a portion of his wisdom and authority to Joshua.

Deuteronomy 34:9: Now Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; so the children of Israel heeded him, and did as the LORD had commanded Moses.

In The New Testament

It was practiced by both Christ and His followers. It was Jesus' means of transmitting life or "virtue" both in blessing and healing.

Jesus:

In healing Matthew 8:3: Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Mark 5:23: ...and begged Him earnestly, saying, "My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live." Mark 7:32: Then they brought to Him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech, and they begged Him to put His hand on him. Acts 5:12: And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's Porch.

Blessing Children Mark 10:13-14: Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God."

His Followers (The early church):

	Imparted or Transferred Healing Acts 28:8: And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him.
	Receiving the Holy Spirit Acts 8:17: Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Acts 9:17: And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Acts 19:6: And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
	People were set apart for specific ministry Acts 6:6: whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.
	Was accompanied by prophecy at times Acts 9:17: And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Acts 13:2: As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Then, having fasted and prayed and laid hands on them, they sent them away. 1 Tim 4:14: Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.

One warning

"Lay hands on no man suddenly" (1 Timothy 5:22)

This relates to the release into ministry or gifting. Some people are not ready to be released into ministry and we do them disfavour to release them too soon.

Our hearts may be to release. WE may desire them to be all they are in God. But we need his wisdom about when and where they are to be released.

Suddenly does not necessarily relate to the speed at which you place you hand on someone, it more relates to whom you are laying hands on and the when you are laying hands on.

Through this study, we see that the "laying on of hands" was not mere ceremony or ritual, but a means of imparting life or blessing.

The doctrine of laying on of hands is a fist principle because it is used so many times in scripture and through out the life of the church.