The Foundations – The Laying on of Hands

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The Foundations – The Laying on of Hands

Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection… For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. Hebrews 6:1-6

The writer of Hebrews was guided by the Holy Spirit to write in a particular and orderly way. It is for a reason that the encouragement to move beyond the elementary principles is followed by this warning. He is saying nothing less than, “Move on! Otherwise, you are endangering your very salvation. Move on, or you risk falling away, and becoming impossibly lost.”

This begs the questions: Why aren’t these principles taught regularly from every church pulpit? Why aren’t they a part of every new member orientation? Do we – Pastors and Elders – understand and believe this warning?

Perhaps this is not an issue in your church fellowship and denomination. If so, you are an exception. I know for a fact that two of the largest denominations in the United States ignore at least two of the five elementary principles. That represents a forty percent increase in risk of eternal damnation for their members! And that’s assuming the other three principles are taught in their fullness (and they are not).

No one I have spoken to about this remembers being presented with “the elementary principles” as they are in the book of Hebrews. This is a travesty! It is hard to imagine why any Pastor or Elder that recognizes this would not immediately address the issue.

As you might imagine, the laying on of hands was one of the principles that was ignored in the denomination I grew up in. Strangely, that didn’t keep people from doing it. I know they meant well, but I still wonder if they knew God’s purpose in the practice; or, were they just mimicking what they had seen others do? Did they know that there were reasons not to lay hands on another; and not to allow another to lay hands on them?

This being an elementary principle, we can expect God to make the meaning easy for us to understand, believe and apply. So, let’s take a look at what He has to say about the laying on of hands.

Passing on Authority

And the Lord said to Moses: “Take Joshua the son of Nun with you, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him; set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation, and inaugurate him in their sight.” Number 27:18-19

When I was ordained as an elder for my church, my pastor and another elder laid their hands on me, praying for the anointing of God for my service to His body. In doing so, the physical act produced a spiritual outcome: God’s authority and power were delegated (exousia) to me. Before this occurred, great care and much prayer were invested to make sure God’s will was being accomplished in the laying on of their hands.

The laying on of hands, for the passing on of authority, should occur – with the same care – for every Biblically recognized office in the church: Elder, deacon, apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher.

Confirmation and Commissioning

Furthermore, a case could also be made for the laying on of hands with every believer, as king, priest, disciple maker and ambassador – all with the same care and solemnity. We find such an example in the confirmation and commissioning practiced in missional work of the early church.

Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus. Acts 13:1-4

Again, notice the care that was taken by those who would lay hands on Barnabas and Saul. We will discuss this in more detail later in this article.

Bestowing the Holy Spirit

Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:17

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 9:17

While the laying on of hands is not the only way to impart the Holy Spirit (see John 20:22), these passages warrant our serious consideration. Were these exceptional situations, or examples that should be uniformly followed? My first inclination is to assume the former. However, given the lack of Holy Spirit power, gifts and fruit in the church today, I find myself leaning toward the laying on of hands for the bestowing of the Holy Spirit for everyone in my fellowship.

Bestowing Spiritual Gifts

Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. 1Timothy 4:14

For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. 2Timothy 1:6-7

It was most likely during Timothy’s ordination as an elder in the church that the presbytery prophetically bestowed the gifting he was to exercise in his duties as a leader in Ephesus. It is important to note that the bestowing also included the necessary power, love and discipline to lead.

Some may argue that this gift was the Holy Spirit; others, that is was a particular gift or gifts (e.g., prophecy, healing, and teaching). My experience has been the latter. I keep the list of gifts prophetically uttered over me in my Bible, near this very verse. I also remind myself that these gifts have been given for the body of Christ, not for my own profit (1Corinthians 12:7).

Healing

In the account of Acts 9:17, Paul was not only given the Holy Spirit; his sight was returned to him. He was healed by the laying on of Ananias’ hands. Of course, he was not the only one healed in this way.

And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet 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 5:22-23

And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. Mark 16:18

The laying on of hands for healing may be the most common expression of this principle. Though it has not been taught, somehow we know that the laying on of hands is an important part of our prayers for healing. In this case, action without teaching, prayer and careful consideration can leave us exposed to spiritually dangerous forces.

Be Careful in Laying on of Hands

Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. 1Timothy 5:22

The laying on of hands is not a symbolic performance. It is a spiritual act that engages the spiritual realm; both good and evil. There is a spiritual transference that occurs. Positively, this transference takes the form of the Holy Spirit and His gifting, healing, and authority for ministry. Most do not realize that evil can also be transferred.

One translation of this verse suggests that the sins of others can actually be shared through the laying on of hands. Similarly, if you are laying on hands without God’s purpose and direction, you may “get” something – an evil spirit may use your carelessness as a gateway to a foothold of oppression in your life.

This is a mystery to me – I cannot explain how this happens. The spiritual realm is many times beyond our understanding. We should not have a spirit of timidity. However, this should give us pause; to pray – and even fast – before laying hands on someone for any reason.

Conclusion

As mentioned previously in this article, I was not raised in a stream or denomination that taught or practiced the laying on of hands. Consequently, it is possible that I have missed something significant in regards to this elementary principle. I hope that you will not allow my limited understanding to distract you from seeking the truth for yourself, and your fellowship, regarding the importance of this practice.

And a practice it must be. Unlike most of the other elementary principles, this one is a matter of action. The laying on of hands is something we must exercise for the principle to be effectual in the life of the church.

Application

As it is with all of the elementary principles, the leadership of each church fellowship must come to terms with the meaning and application of the laying on of hands. It is morally negligent to ignore the importance of such an effectual practice. If we cannot understand, believe and apply the elementary principles, how can we hope to move on to perfection?

Assignment

Determine, with your leadership team, what the Holy Spirit is revealing to you about the laying on of hands for your fellowship.
Teach the laying on of hands (and the other elementary principles).
If you have not already, develop the practice of relational prayer with God. Learn to hear the voice of the Lord for the laying on of hands. A good starting point: The PAPA Prayer, by Larry Crabb.

Note: These assignments are directed at the leadership of church fellowships. However, there is a personal application for every follower of Jesus Christ. If the Lord has impressed you to receive something that God offers though the laying on of hands, you should seek His direction for that. Hopefully, one of your pastors or elders will be able to help you. If not, ask the Lord to send someone that will; remembering that the laying on of hands must be done with caution and much prayer.

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