Laying Hands

Some material adapted from “Transmitting God’s Power” by Derek Prince.

Hebrews 6:1-2 – foundations for the faith

  1. Repentance (individually)
  2. Faith (individually)
  3. Baptisms (usually needs multiple people)
  4. Laying Hands (needs multiple people)

Principle of Body:

Psalm 133

v. 1 – unity of Body produces:
v. 2 – Anointing oil of high priest. The body must be underneath the head and in unity with other members to be anointed with the oil.
v. 3 – Dew of Hermon. Similar picture to high priest.

Deuteronomy 32:30

1 = 1,000 enemies destroyed
2 = 10,000 enemies destroyed. There is an 8,000 enemy bonus when two work in unity!

Laying on of Hands (Heb. 6:2)

  1. Ensures continuity of life and leadership of God’s people
  2. Spiritual purposes added to common human practice
    1. Recognize: not appoint, but recognize God’s choice
    2. Set apart: to a certain task/ministry
    3. Endorse: give authority
    4. Equip: transmission of spiritual authority

Examples From Old Testament

Jacob laid hands on the sons of Joseph (Gen. 48:8-19)

1) Imparted a blessing
2) Determined their destiny

Priests laid hands on sacrifices (Leviticus 1:4; 3:2; 4:4; 8:14,18,22; 16:20)

1) Imparting life/sins onto sacrificial animals

Moses laid hands on Joshua (Num. 27:18-23 – action/cause; Deut. 34:9 – effect)

1) Set apart
2) Endorsed
3) Equipped

Elisha laid hands on king Joash (2 Kings 13:14-17)

1) Endorsed
2) Imparted supernatural spiritual authority and power

Examples of Laying Hands During Jesus’ Ministry

  • Matthew 8:1-4; Mark 1:40-45; Luke 5:12-16 – cleansed leprosy
  • Matthew 8:14-15; Mark 1:29-31 – healed a fever
  • Matthew 9:18-26; Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:40-56 – resurrected the dead
  • Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 5:25-34; Luke 8:43-48 – someone healed when they touched Jesus
  • Matthew 9:27-31 – healed two blind men
  • Matthew 14:34-36; Mark 6:53-56 – people touched Jesus’ garment and were healed
  • Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17 – imparted blessing on children
  • Matthew 20:29-34 – healed two blind men
  • Mark 3:7-12; Luke 6:17-19 – healed many who touched Him
  • Mark 6:1-6 – healed “a few sick people”
  • Mark 7:31-37 – healed deaf and mute man
  • Mark 8:22-26 – laid hands twice to heal blind man
  • Luke 4:40-41 – healed and cast out demons
  • Luke 7:11-17 – resurrected the dead after touching the open coffin
  • Luke 13:10-17 – healed woman with spirit of infirmity
  • Luke 22:47-53 – healed ear that was cut off

Purposes Indicated in New Testament

To impart healing to the sick

1) To the unsaved (Mark 16:17-18; Luke 4:40-41)
2) For church members, accompanied by anointing with oil (James 5:14-15)

To impart (the gift of) the Holy Spirit

1) The Samaritans (Acts 8:14-20)
2) Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:17-18)
3) Disciples of Ephesus (Acts 19:1-6)

To commission church servants/deacons (Acts 6:1-7)

1) Transmit authority
2) Set apart, endorse, equip

To send out apostles (Acts 13:1-4)

1) Transmit authority
2) Set apart, endorse, equip

To appoint elders (1 Tim. 5:17-22; see also Acts 14:23 and Titus 1:5)

1) Transmit authority
2) Set apart, endorse, equip

To impart a spiritual gift (charisma)

1) 2 Timothy 1:6
2) Romans 1:11-12(?)

By extension, to similar situations

Example of Timothy

Paul and elders lay hands on him

1) 1 Timothy 4:14
2) 2 Timothy 1:6

Accompanied by prophecy (1 Tim. 4:14)

Effect on Timothy’s life (1 Tim. 1:18)

Dangers And Safeguards

Dangers (1 Timothy 5:22; see also Exodus 19:10-13; 2 Samuel 6:1-7)

1) Endorsing someone unfit or unworthy
2) Spiritual “contamination”

Safeguards

1) With prayer and humility
2) Be directed by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:14)