Laying on of Hands

LAYING ON OF HANDS

"And when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them,
they sent them away." Acts 13:3

I. The laying on of hands is one of the most basic and fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith.

Hebrews 6:1, 2

II. There is a definite impartation to be received through the laying on of hands.

See Genesis 48:14, 17-19

A. A distinct transformation took place in the life and ministry of Joshua the son of Nun, after Moses had laid his hands upon him and given him authority over the people of God.

Numbers 27:18-23

"And the Lord 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 Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight. And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient....."

Deuteronomy 34:9

"And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom: for Moses had laid his hands upon him ..."

B. There must have been a visible manifestation of power evident in the laying on of hands in the early church, for even Simon the sorcerer recognized the reality of a power behind it.

Acts 8:18

"And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost."

III. Many occasions are given in scripture for the laying on of hands.

A. Physical healing.

Matthew 8:2-4, 14, 15; 20:34

Mark 1:41; 6:5; 5:3; 7:32, 33; 8:23, 25; 16:18

Luke 4:40; 13:13; 22:50, 51

Acts 9:10-12, 17; 28:8

James 5:14

B. Spiritual deliverance.

Luke 4:40, 41

Luke 13:11-13

C. The baptism in the Holy Spirit.

Acts 8:17-19; 9:12, 17; 19:6

D. The impartation of the gifts of the Spirit.

1 Timothy 4:14

2 Timothy 1:6

E. Separation for service (ministry).

Numbers 8:10, 11; 27:18, 20, 23

Acts 6:5, 6

Acts 13:3

F. Raising of the dead.

Matthew 9:18, 25

G. Impartation of spiritual authority for leadership.

Numbers 27:16-23 (The word here translated "honour" may correctly
be rendered "authority.")

H. Impartation of spiritual blessing.

Mark 10:13, 16 (Matthew 19:13-15)

I. Various miracles.

Acts 5:12; 14:3

J. Impartation of strength.

Daniel 10:16-19

IV. There is, however, great need for wisdom to be exercised in ministering through the laying on of hands.

A. Hands should be laid upon those persons "in whom is the Spirit."

Numbers 27:18

B. Paul exhorted us to "lay hands suddenly on no man."

1 Timothy 5:22

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