Our Foundations in Jesus – The Doctrine of Laying on of Hands
To summarize the events of Genesis 48:8-20… Jacob said: “Joesph, bring your sons to me.” And Jacob placed his hands on the boys’ heads and prayed: “May God bless these boys, and multiply their descendants greatly throughout the Earth.”
Jesus says in Mark 16:18, “They will place their hands on sick people and they will get well.”
And 21st-century science tells us what mothers have known since Eve: touching babies relaxes them, makes them calm, and helps them to grow into confident adults.
The laying on of hands makes a difference
People lay hands on other people just about everywhere in the Bible, and it always leads to some benefit. But we can’t do that today, right? Like Pastor Vic says, “Some say that the blessings petered out when Peter petered out.” (Sorry, couldn’t resist!) Pastor Vic also adds: “Oh no they didn’t! Hands and blessings are as powerful for us as believers today! It says so right in the Bible.
We will investigate the Biblical basis of laying on of hands for:
- Blessings
- Healing
- Baptism in the Holy Ghost
- Spiritual Gifts
- Commissioning ministers
1. Blessings
First, look up and read Genesis 48:8-20, which was summarized at the top of this article. This is only one Scriptural example of blessings by laying on of hands
By calling blessings from God and laying on hands (touching the recipient with the whole palm and fingers — not just tips), one multiplies power and faith. This often transfers the benefits of one’s powerful faith to another person.
For Jacob and his grandchildren, it bore great fruit in the later generations as they multiplied to become a great nation.
2. Healing
Healing refers to body, spirit, and soul. The Bible has many passages wherein people are healed of physical afflictions after prayer with the laying on of hands. Read in full the passage Mark 16:15-18, excerpted above. There’s more, but first this:
Healing happens to those who believer. Belief is the only qualification for the one doing the praying. It is not the physical act of laying on of hands that does the healing. Hands are the outward sign of one’s belief that the sick person will get well.
In Luke 4:38-40, Jesus lays hands on Peter’s mother-in-law and heals her of a fever. Because of this demonstration, lots of people came forward and were healed.
Later, in Luke 13:10-16, Jesus heals a woman with a twisted back. Verse 16 tells us that the woman is freed from an evil spirit. This often happens. The illness is demonic, and laying on of hands in faith casts out the demon. But, oops, you have to fill the space or the demon can move back. Quickly fill yourself with the Spirit of God for permanent results.
For more examples, see Matthew 8:1-4, Mark 6:1-6, and Acts 28:7-10
3. Baptism of the Holy Spirit
When you ask Jesus into your heart, the Holy Spirit immediately moves in. But there’s more. With an extra measure of faith, you can receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. While some gain that all by themselves, more usually comes with the laying on of hands to add the faith of others to yours.
There are early examples in Acts 8:14-21, where we see that the Baptism is a gift from God and cannot be bought with money. And in Acts 19:1-6, there were believers who had been baptized by John but had never heard of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Then they gladly received it.
4. Spiritual Gifts
All Spiritual Gifts come from the Holy Spirit, but that doesn’t mean we all get every gift. God knows what He is doing, and He gives to each the one or two best suited to that person’s nature. One thing that is sure — God will give us exactly what He knows we need to serve Him best. Then we must step out and put faith into action without faltering.
- Stephen, in Acts 6:1-8, received gifts, stepped out in faith, performed marvelous works and wonders, and then got clobbered by skeptics. The Devil was at work, trying to keep people from receiving God’s best and from spreading the Good Word.
- Timothy got the gifts and Paul admonished him to never forget it. Timothy used his gifts in the face of opposition, and came out ahead.
We too have a choice to use the gifts or not, and in secular society there is pressure to just not do it.
5. Laying on of hands to commission ministers
Being a minister is not just a job. You don’t choose it from a list at the guidance counselor’s office. Ministry is a calling; it summons you, not the other way around. Therefore, when those who commission new ministers by laying their hands on them, they are not doing it of their own. It is in agreement with the Holy Spirit.
See 1 Timothy 5:22. “Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.”
This admonishes church leaders to be careful about laying on hands to ordain new ministers. If Timothy commissioned someone who did not follow sound doctrine, then Timothy would be responsible and share in the sin.
Today, we might call that aiding and abetting, or being an accomplice after the fact.
Exercise faith today
So — the laying on of hands has many purposes in the body of Christ. Just remember it is the Holy Spirit working through us and nothing of our own power.
Try it out. You are not testing God, just merely convincing yourself. Lay hands on people and expect them to be healed in the name of Jesus. Bless your spouse and children that you will grow in faith toward God as the Holy Spirit works through you.
Remember what Jesus said in Luke 16:10 about being faithful in little things and later receiving greater blessings. Start small. Grow. You’ll get there.