The Laying on of Hands..

Part 6 of 9

"Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation... of [the] laying on of hands..." (Heb 6:1-2).

A common custom practiced in Bible times was that of "the laying on of hands". This custom was observed in Patriarchal times (pre-Mosaic period) as well as during the Mosaic Period. It was also administered during the ministry of Jesus, as well as the early church. What does "the laying on of hands" imply? And was it reserved solely for past dispensations? What purpose does it serve? How is it to be a facet of our spiritual foundation in God today? All of these questions and more we will seek to discover as we peer into this great truth.

What was/is the purpose of the laying on of hands?

Basically, the laying on of hands serves many purposes including: Blessing; the setting in place and anointing of leaders; consecration; impartation of spiritual gifts, strength, authority or wisdom; substitution and the transfer of punishment/sin; healing; deliverance; prophecy; and to receive the Baptism with the Holy Spirit. We will later examine these according to their respective covenants.

Does it have a role in our modern church paradigm?

Of course it does! I am of the personal opinion that there are no "accidents" in Scripture. I believe God knew the great importance, weight, and spiritual reliance that would be put upon His Book, and thus He took special care in ensuring it's contents. If there is a positive practice found in Scripture, why shouldn't we mimic it today? Granted, much truth has been elevated to a spiritual realm (e.g. circumcision, Sabbaths, feast days, substitutionary atonement, etc), but that in no way suggests their utter expiration. Elevation is not expiration. For the most part, those who say this practice (and others) has ceased from the modern church are those who refute the power of the Holy Spirit altogether - and this, we know, is nonsense (Acts 2:39). In fact, I have devoted an entire series of messages devoted to the false doctrine of "Cessationism", of which you are free to explore.

As I mentioned earlier, the early church apostles repeatedly taught of this concept, and thus it should likewise be included and practiced in our doctrine (Acts 6:4-6; 4:30; 5:12; 8:17-19; 9:12, 17, 41; 11:21, 30; 13:3; 14:3; 19:6 and 28:8). Scripture is to be our guidebook. We get into trouble when we start picking and choosing what we want to adhere to, based upon our personal preferences. Doctrinal safety means a proper acquisition of the entirety of Scripture. To say that the laying on of hands has no modern application would be to dismiss the remainder of the foundational doctrines listed in Hebrews 6 as well, including repentance from dead works, faith towards God, eternal judgment, etc. We wouldn't dare do that would we? These are the "elementary principles of Christ".

To better understand these truths, let's now observe this custom from a covenantal point of view...

Old Testament Laying on of Hands?

In the Old Testament, under all old covenants, the custom of the laying on of hands served many purposes..

Initially, before the Mosaic covenantal period, this custom was used in bestowing blessings, as when Israel (formerly Jacob) laid his hands upon his grandsons (Gen 48:14). By doing this, Israel apparently intended to convey some measure of beneficial virtue (Gen 48:17-20). This was a method of transferring the firstborn birthright. Furthermore, even later in time, this practice seemed to remain constant.. David too appeared to express great blessing received from the laying on of God's hands: "For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it" (Ps 139:4-6).

Secondly, this custom served great purpose in the offering of sacrifices, such as peace offering, sin offerings, burnt offerings, etc. This custom was applicable for those sacrifices offered on normal occasions (Lev 3:1-2, 8, 13; 4:4), as well as for those special sacrifices which ordained the Aaronic priesthood (Lev 8:14, 22), and the dedication of the Levites (Num 8:12). Even on the annual great Day of Atonement, the high priest would lay his hands upon the sacrificial victim (Lev 16:21). But what was the purpose of such? By laying hands on the head of the animal, the priest was confessing his iniquities and the iniquities of the children of Israel. On the Day of Atonement, the laying on of hands involved actual transference of guilt from the guilty to the innocent. Thus, the animal was set apart by God through the laying on of hands, and was reserved to receive the just judgment for the sins of the people. On other occasions, such as the Levitical dedication, this practice may have simply implied consecration and purification for service.

Next, this custom was representative of divine judgment. In the Old Testament, Witnesses were to lay hands on a blasphemer prior to his stoning (Lev 24:14). This was probably done as an outward sign of acceptance of the death verdict (Deut 13:6-10). Conversely, when a victim was spared death, as when God commanded Abraham not to sacrifice Isaac or when He allowed the leaders of Israel to see Him without dying, mercy is described as hands not being laid on the spared victim (Gen 22:12; Exod 24:9-11). Lastly, concerning such judgment, God proverbially laid His hands on Egypt in divine judgment by sending plagues: "But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth mine armies, and my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them" (Exod 7:4-5).

Finally, the laying on of hands was used as a means of ordination to service. This was the case in the inauguration of Joshua (Num 27:18-23): Moses laid his hands upon Joshua, signifying the transference of some of his authority to lead the nation. After such an act the Bible says, "And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him..." (Deut 34:9). Prior to this event, Joshua was already "a man in whom is the spirit", but through the laying on of Moses' hands, Joshua became full of wisdom, and the anointing of Moses was transferred onto him. He was suddenly and supernaturally equipped to follow the call of God!

New Testament Laying on of Hands?

The laying on of hands was very evident during the ministry of Jesus. He Blessed children through laying on of hands with prayer (Mt 19:13-15; Mk 10:13-16; Lk 18:15-17). He also healed people by the laying on of His hands, such as Jairus' daughter (Matt 9:18, 25), the sick of Nazareth (Mk 6:5), all who came to Him in Capernaum (Lk 4:40), and the woman with the 18 year "spirit of infirmity" (Lk 13:10-13), etc.

This custom is also recognizable in Jesus' perfect sacrifice. We know Him to be that Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Similar to the Old Testament sacrifice, today we impute our sins upon Jesus, and He makes perfect atonement (1 Cor 5:7b; 15:3; Isa 53:7-10). This atonement, however, is a far superior atonement (Heb 10:1-4, 5-14).. Jesus doesn't merely cover over our sin, but takes it wholly upon Himself and perfectly reconciles us to God!

Furthermore, in the early church, this custom was used by the apostles for a variety of reasons...

First of all, the apostles healed the sick by the laying on of hands. This was even foretold by Jesus in the giving of the Great Commission (Mk 16:15-20), and described by Luke in the book of Acts (Acts 5:12): "And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him" (Acts 28:8). Ananias also utilized this healing agent in restoring Saul's sight (Acts 9:12, 17). James tells us to anoint the sick with oil in the name of the Lord, and how else can this act occur but by the laying on of hands (Jas 5:14-15)? Hands are simply an avenue of God's power.

Next, the Holy Spirit, and spiritual gifts were imparted to believers by the laying on of hands. We see this to be the case with the Samaritans (Acts 8:14-17), the Ephesians (Acts 19:6), Timothy (1 Tim 4:14; 2 Tim 1:6), etc. Scripture plainly says "Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands" (2 Tim 1:6). Who are we to forsake such a grand truth as inapplicable?

Furthermore, similar to the Old Testament usage, saints in the New Testament were likewise appointed and dedicated to service via the laying on of hands. In Acts 6, the apostles laid their hands upon several men to appoint them to the ministry of the distribution of provisions (6:1-6). They sought for the right men, and simply set them "before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them" (6:6). This custom also occurred by prophets and teachers in sending out Paul and Barnabus (Acts 13:1-3). So great was this custom, in fact, that Paul even used this terminology in warning of caution in ordaining: "I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure" (1 Tim 5:21-22). He taught to appoint no man to church offices without trial and examination, or else they would be an accessory to, and accountable for, his misbehaviour in his office.

We can see, therefore, the past and present usage of this Biblical custom, the laying on of hands. It is indeed relevant today as an avenue for the blessing, healing, impartation, separation and anointing of the Holy Spirit.

To be continued...