Laying On Of Hands

Laying On Of Hands

“Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

Saying, Give me this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.” 

Acts 8:17-20

(Much of the material in this lesson has been prepared by Rev. Gerald McLean, a Guest Lecturer at PBS Ghana.)

“Laying on of hands” is mentioned as a foundational doctrine in Hebrews 6:2 and is also referred to as a “gift from God” in the Scriptural passage given above. 

“Laying on of Hands” is defined as “the act whereby one person places his hands on the body of another person with some definite spiritual purpose. Usually it is accompanied by prayer or prophetic utterance.”

The hands of a man, separate from the power of the Holy Ghost, are only instruments for eating, washing, working, and writing.  However, in given situations the Spirit is manifested through the “laying on of hands.”  The power of the Holy Ghost is seemingly transferred through his hands.

When Simon saw that the Samaritans received the Holy Ghost through the “laying on of hands” he wanted to have this power.  However, this ministry is only effective if the one practicing it is born again, prayerful, and has faith that God is going to move in the situation.  The power is not in our hands but in the God that we trust and have confidence in.

Throughout the Old and New Testament we find the practice of “laying on of hands.”  In “laying of hands” we find a graphic picture of transferring power and blessing from one person to another.  This symbolic picture is still meaningful today. It has been shown medically that over one third of our five million touch receptors are centered in our hands. Our hands are so sensitive that some blind people are being taught to read by using their fingertips.

Doctor D. Krieger, professor of nursing at New York University, has found numerous studies on the effects of “laying on of hands.”  This doctor found that hemoglobin levels in the person’s bloodstream go up during the act of “laying on of hands.” As these levels are going up, body tissues receive more oxygen.  This increase of oxygen assists the person in the regenerating process if he or she is ill. 

In the Spiritual realm “laying on of hands” is vital. It may indicate the tranferring of a blessing or a curse; is used for ordination and impartation of various gifts from God (as in the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the Gifts of the Spirit). 

In the Bible, “laying on of hands” was used for the impartation of blessing, authority, and healing. A person blessing another person would lay hands on them (Genesis 48:14; Matthew 19:15; Numbers 27:18-20, 22-23; Deuteronomy 34:9; 2 Kings 13:15-17).

The blessing of the baptism of the Holy Spirit also came through “laying on of hands” as we see in Acts 8:17; Acts 9:10-17; and Acts 19:1-7.  We also see that every believer can be used in this type of ministry as indicated in Mark 16:17-18.

Over one half of the recorded infillings of the Holy Spirit were associated with the “laying on of hands.”

“Gifts of the Spirit” can also be imparted by the “laying of hands” as we see in Romans 1:11-12; 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6.

We also see that it is associated with “healing” in Mark 5:23; Luke 4:40; Acts 9:12; and James 5:14-15.

Ministers of the Gospel (including Deacons) were commissioned and/or ordained through “laying on of hands.”  We see this in Acts 6:1-6; Acts 13:1-4.  In the Old Testament the priests and Levites were all ordained by “laying on of hands”. Joshua, Moses’ successor was also confirmed this way (Numbers 27:23). This public and open acknowledgment affirms before the church that someone is called into leadership.

According to 1 Timothy 5:22, we are encouraged to see three caution lights (proceed with carefulness):

¨       We need to be careful not to lay hands on people suddenly.  We do not just move about laying hands on everyone we meet.

¨       “Laying on of hands” is associated with faith, prayer, and fasting. 

¨       We should not be a partaker in             another man’s sins.      

¨       We should keep ourselves pure and seek the guidance of God in using this ministry.  We must remain humble.