Recently a visitor to one of our worship services enquired of me afterwards during morning tea why we placed our hands on people when we prayed. He had never seen this occur in his Baptist Church heritage. Come to think of it, I never once saw the laying on of hands when I was growing up in Churches of Christ, either. So, what is this “laying on of hands” thing we do in prayer?
Well, for one thing it is not some magical, ceremonial posturing, or conjuring act. Yes, it is an act whereby we are prophetically enacting the imparting of some kind of blessing when we are praying for someone. The writer to the Hebrews mentions the laying on of hands as one of the most basic functions – elementary, in fact - in the ministry of the people of God …
Hebrews 6:1-2 (NIV)
“Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.”
The laying on of hands is first mentioned in the Old Testament book of Leviticus, then Exodus and Deuteronomy and, in every instance it is about transfer or impartation. This could be the transfer of the sin of the people to the sacrificial animal by the priest (see Lev. 8:14 & Exo. 29:10), or the elders of the community laying their hands on the bullock before the Lord in a prophetic act of transference of guilt …
Leviticus 4:15 (NIV)
“The elders of the community are to lay their hands on the bull's head before the LORD, and the bull shall then be slaughtered before the LORD.”
Of course, this only temporarily dealt with sin guilt and needed repeating. So, the laying on of hands was an intentional, conscious act of transference (see also, Lev. 16:21-22 for more detail). In Genesis, Jacob (Israel) stretched out his hands and laid them upon the heads of Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, in a prophetic act of incorporating them into the twelve tribes of Israel. The effect of that laying on of hands led to many generations. In Numbers 27:18-23, Joshua was said to be filled with “the spirit of wisdom” because Moses had laid his hands on him and had imparted that particular spiritual capacity. Again, intentional impartation of something Moses had. In the New Testament Gospel narratives Jesus laid his hands on the sick for the impartation of healing and thousands and thousands were healed – every one of them who came to Jesus. He imparted something he had. For example,
Luke 4:40 (NIV)
“At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying His hands on each one, He healed them [all].”
There are dozens more examples described in the New Testament, including in the ministries of the 12 apostles and Paul and Barnabas.
Acts 19:11 (ASV) “And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: …” (not “the” hand sing. of Paul).
The gift of Holy Spirit was sometimes (not always) conferred through the laying on of hands and, in Timothy’s case through the prophetic praying of the elders, a particular spiritual gift was imparted to him (see 1 Tim. 4:14). In fact, that prayer and the laying on of hands not only ordained Timothy, but it released and established something permanent in him. This one reason Paul cautions us not to be in a hurry to lay hands on someone for a ministry for which they may not be ready! (See 1 Tim 5:22). Because the laying on of hands creates, imparts or establishes something that is not reversible – for good or, bad. Think Esau and Jacob. Once released it cannot be recalled. Of course, this has to be true because the people in Aaron’s day certainly didn’t want their sins coming back to them once transferred to the bullock or goat that was sacrificed. This is a very real and serious thing.
In other passages individuals were set apart for ministry through the praying of others who laid their hands on them in an act of “confirmation” or, as we might say, today, ordination; and still others were sent out on mission work after the laying on of hands. (i.e. Paul and Barnabas). We also see in many New Testament passages (Old Testament, too) that blessing was imparted through prayers that were “enacted”, so to speak, through the laying on of hands. All kinds of blessing.
In all of these instances the laying on of hands was no small thing, and was never taken lightly, yet we see little of it in our Churches of Christ today. Why? I don’t know. But at ReChurch all our trained prayer ministry people do so when praying for others – and they know exactly what they are doing. They are imparting some blessing from God, in that moment, that God has given them, or has directed them to release. It’s not magic ceremonial stuff or trying to look cool. There are five spheres involved in the laying on of hands either singular or in combination – revelation (prophecy); confirmation (strengthening, establishing, refreshing, making sure, fortifying, reinforcing etc.); impartation (a spiritual gift, an office, authority etc.), ordination (commissioning, separating unto God etc.), and blessing (healing, covenant making, confirmation of God’s will for the person, the bestowal of a grace that blessing might flow etc.)
There is so much more we could discuss but I cannot do so here. Suffice to say this following this very brief sketch. There is enormous responsibility on the one who lays hands on another across these five spheres of ministry – and we will all give an account for each time we do so – and it is a powerful thing. Therefore, it is imperative for two main things here. First, the one(s) laying on hands to another must lead holy lives and be very carefully consecrated when they do so. To neglect one’s consecrational preparation is reckless and dangerous. When we lay hands on another these must be “clean hands”, that is, we must be clean and pure of heart before the Lord in whose holy name we minister. Failure to be properly consecrated and prepared risks significant spiritual injury to those for whom we are praying; and can even give the enemy a foothold. God forbid such a thing! With our hands we are spiritually and visibly imparting what God wants imparted and this must not be defiled in any way. Second, once imparted, whatever that is, clean or unclean, it cannot be taken back. We simply must be careful and know what it is we are doing.
In laying on hands we are transferring, conferring, releasing, anointing and imparting what it is, specifically, that the Lord has given us to give away. Sometimes this is general, but most of the time in the laying on of hands, God has something very specific and very personal to give to the individual. It is an incredible privilege to be used of God like that. We must be so carefully consecrated that we are aware that we have been given something sacred to impart.
2 Corinthians 6:3 (NIV)
“We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.”
… and so that Jesus Christ will be experienced, and glorified.
Think on these things.
Ps Milton