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Basic Bible Study Course

THE DOCTRINE OF LAYING ON OF HANDS

LESSON #13 Part #1

O.T. = Old Testament
Laying on of hands for
(1) judgment
(2) blessing
(3) ordination or confirmation
(4) impartation

N.T. = New Testament
Laying on of hands for
(1) healing
(2) blessing children
(3) someone to get the Holy Ghost
(4) ordination or confirmation
(5) prophetic impartation
(6) judgement
Wrong use of laying on of hands
Who can lay hands on others?
The Lord's Hand
Summary

Definitions are taken from Webster's Dictionary.

LAYING ON OF HANDS

Laying on of hands is one of the foundation principles of the doctrine of Christ. When it says "leaving" the principles of the doctrine of Christ, it is assumed that you have been there first! You must have a foundation in Christ before you can build on it and go on to maturity (1 Peter 2:5 & Ephesians 4:13).

(1) Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, (2) Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. Hebrews 6:1-2.

The doctrine of laying on of hands is found in the Old and the New Testaments. It is a Biblical method of passing on something from God. Jesus used "laying on of hands." The Word says the disciple shall be as his master, therefore we too can use "laying on of hands" (Luke 6:40).

LAYING ON OF HANDS in the Old Testament:

The priests were Levites. In Colossians Chapter 2 it speaks of some things that were law in the Old Testament being a "shadow of things to come." The Levite priests laid hands on certain animals for particular sacrifices. Some were sacrifices for atonement for sin. In the New Testament, Jesus became our high priest. He took on him the sins of all (1 John 2:2, 2 Corinthians 5:15, & 1 Peter 2:24). There are other scriptures in the O. T. about laying hands on sacrifices.

Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. Hebrews 8:5.

For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. Hebrews 10:1.

And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness: Leviticus 16:21. Read Leviticus 8:14.

And he brought the other ram, the ram of consecration: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the ram. Leviticus 8:22.

And the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands upon the head of the bullock before the LORD: and the bullock shall be killed before the LORD. Leviticus 4:15.

1. LAYING ON OF HANDS FOR JUDGMENT O.T.

The hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterward the hands of all the people. So thou shalt put the evil away from among you. Deuteronomy 17:7.

Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him. Leviticus 24:14.

And I will set my glory among the heathen, and all the heathen shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid upon them. Ezekiel 39:21.

2. LAYING ON OF HANDS FOR BLESSING O. T.

(14) And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn. (15) And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, and God which fed me all my life long unto this day, (16) The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham, and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth. Genesis 48:14-16.

And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings. Leviticus 9:22.

3. LAYING ON OF HANDS FOR ORDINATION or for confirming that you are worthy for service. O. T.

(9) And thou shalt bring the Levites before the tabernacle of the congregation: and thou shalt gather the whole assembly of the children of Israel together: (10) And thou shalt bring the Levites before the LORD: and the children of Israel shall put their hands upon the Levites: (11) And Aaron shall offer the Levites before the LORD for an offering of the children of Israel, that they may execute the service of the LORD. Numbers 8:9-11.

(18) And the Lord said unto Moses, Take thee the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him; (19) And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight. (20) And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient. Numbers 27:18-20.

And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses. Deuteronomy 34:9.

The gold for things of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and for all manner of work to be made by the hands of artificrs. And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the LORD? 1 Chronicles 29:5.

4. LAYING ON OF HANDS FOR IMPARTATION O. T.

Read in Numbers 11:11 where Moses said ". . . thou layest the burden of all this people upon me." God told him to gather the people to the tabernacle.

And the Lord came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease. Numbers 11:25.

And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them! Numbers 11:29.

1. LAYING ON OF HANDS FOR HEALING N. T.

And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. Mark 5:23.

And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. Mark 6:5.

And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw aught. Mark 8:23.

After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly. Mark 8:25.

(17) And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; (18) They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. Mark 16:17-18.

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.

Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them. Luke 4:40.

And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. Luke 13:13.

(14) Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: (15) And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. James 5:14-15.

2. LAYING ON OF HANDS FOR BLESSING CHILDREN N. T.

(13) Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. (14) But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. (15) And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence. Matthew 19:13-15.

(13) And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. (14) But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. (15) Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. (16) And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them. Mark 10:13-16.

3. LAYING ON OF HANDS SO SOMEONE WILL RECEIVE THE HOLY GHOST N. T.

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

And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. Acts 19:6.

(17) And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. (18) And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. Acts 9:17-18.

4. LAYING ON OF HANDS FOR ORDINATION OR CONFIRMATION

To ordain can mean to appoint or to consecrate. Confirm means to verify, witness, or testify to. The laying on of hands can be used to confirm the fact that the elders in the church stand behind, condone, and sanction the one being laid hands on; in cases of ordination it confirms to all there that that person is worthy for service. In Luke 24:50 Jesus lifted up his hands, and blessed his disciples before he was carried up into heaven.

(2) As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. (3) And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. Acts 13:2-3.

Read Acts chapter 6 where the widows were neglected and there was a need for workers to take care of this church business. They chose seven men and prayed and laid hands on them.

(3) Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. (6) Whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. Acts 6:3 & 6.

5. LAYING ON OF HANDS FOR PROPHETIC IMPARTATION N. T.

For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; Romans 1:11.

What is the presbytery? The elders in the church refer to those who are not novices, but have the knowledge of God to teach and lead others in the way of salvation. Their lives should be proof that they are saved, living right, filled with the Holy Ghost. They are godly leaders that will not lead others astray (as the blind leaders of the blind in Matthew 15:14). Read Ephesians 4:11-13.

Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of hands of the presbytery. 1 Timothy 4:14.

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 Timothy 1:6.

6. LAYING ON OF HANDS FOR JUDGMENT N. T.

What did Jesus say? He said to love your enemies and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you in Matthew 5:44. Read John 8:7.

Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure. 1 Timothy 5:22.

WRONG USE OF LAYING ON OF HANDS

But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. Luke 21:12.

(18) And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, (19) Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. (20) But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. (23) For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. Acts 8:18-20 & 23.

Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure. 1 Timothy 5:22.

Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm. Psalm 105:15.

WHO CAN LAY HANDS ON OTHERS?

If you are going to work for God, be saved, having your heart and hands clean; otherwise you are not acceptable to God to do his work. ALL true believers can lay hands on the sick and see them recover, according to Mark 16. Are your hands clean enough for God to use them? Does the devil have any place in you?

(3) Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? (4) He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. Psalm 24:3-4.

Neither give place to the devil. Ephesians 4:27.

Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. John 14:30.

And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. Matthew 5:30.

To some people, it is like tearing off a part of their body to resist and stop doing a sin they love to do. Jesus does not literally want you to cut off your body parts, but he wants you to understand how extremely important it is for you to stop sinning with your eyes, feet, hands, and all of your being. Read the rest of Matthew Chapter 5.

THE LORD'S HAND

When Jesus left, he left us the authority to do his works in his name. He still supernaturally stretches forth his hand and heals.

By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. Acts 4:30.

And Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: Hebrews 1:10.

There are times when your faith touches God and there is no need for the laying on of hands. At other times just a touch will bring deliverance. Read Matthew 14:35-36.

(25) And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, (26) and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, (27) When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. (28) For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. (29) And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. (30) And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who hath touched my clothes? (34) And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague. Mark 5:25-30 & 34.

And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all. Luke 6:19. Read Luke 8:46.

And Jesus moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. Mark 1:41. Read also Matthew 8:3.

Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. Acts 5:15.

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