LAYING OF HANDS
BY BISHOP FRANK OGAGBA, PRESIDING BISHOP OF EVER-INCREASING FAITH CHURCHES
2600 ANDRIAS CLOSE, UNIT 9, MMABATHO 2735 NORTH WEST OF PROVINCE SOUTH AFRICA
TEL: +27 18 3845705; FAX: +27 86 689 9567; CELL: +27 83 480 7992
E-MAIL: bishopfrank@everincreasingfaithchurch.org
WEBSITE: www.everincreasingfaithchurch.org
The first time I “laid hands on” and prayed for something or someone was shortly after I was saved. Our family dog had become quite ill (tumor in the throat). You see, as a new believer, I didn’t know enough “religion: to know that God doesn’t heal animals. I just believe. I laid hands on my dog’s and commanded in the name of the Jesus that she be healed and she was!
I don’t know the mysteries of God, but I know that when we obey His commands, He will use us for His purpose. I have witnessed and participated in many such miracles of God, many of which have been accomplished by the laying hands.
Why “laying on of hands?” lying on of the hands seems no more than a ritual in the modern church. Therefore, it may be surprising that Hebrews 6:2 lists it as one of the foundational principles of the doctrine of Christ. However, as we shall see, the laying on of the hands has biblical significant far beyond an empty ritual.
Let us search the scriptural for answers to these questions about the laying on of hands:
What is the purpose of laying of hands?
The laying on of hands is as means of imparting divine blessings. It significant a transfer between two parties.
The first mention of laying on of hands in scripture indicates its significant its throughout the rest of the Bible. Genesis 48 records that as old Jacob was about to die, his grandsons, the sons of Jacob, were brought to his sickbed. According to verse 9, they were brought to Jacob (Israel) in order that the might bless them.
Verse 14 states “And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid 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.”
The power of this is again indicated in verse 20: “And he bless them that day.” However, this does not mean laying on of hands merely confers human approval, for the rest of verse 20 shows that Jacob pronounce God’s blessing as he laid hands on them: “ in your name will Israel pronounce this blessing: may God make you like Ephraim and Manesseh
The purpose of laying on of hands is also indicated by comparison of two New Testament passages. Acts 13:3 records that “they laid their hands on” Saul and Barnabas in the church at Antioch. The significance of this is implied in Acts 14:26, which states that Saul and Barnabas later returned “to Antioch where they had been committed to the grace or God for the work that has now completed.”
What Blessing are Imparted by the Laying on of Hands?
1. The laying on of hands can bring healing from God. According to Mark 6:4-5, He laid his hands upon a few sick people and healed them.
According to Mark 16:17-18,”those who believe …they will place their hands on sick people and they will get well.”
Again in Acts 28:8 “Paul went in to him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him.”
2. The laying on of hands is used to confer God blessing on a new ministry.
Acts 6:1-6 describes the selection of seven men by the church at Jerusalem as deacons. Verse 6
“Whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.”
Acts 13:1-3 describes the sending out of Saul and Barnabas by the church at Antioch. According
To verse 3,” Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away..
3. The laying on of hands is used to impart the gift of the Holy Spirit
According to Acts 8:1-17, Peter and John when the arrived in verse 17, “Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost."
According to Acts 19:6, when Paul laid hands them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.”
4. Laying on of hands is used to impart Spiritual gift.
In 1 Timothy 6:4; 14, Paul wrote to Timothy, “Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with laying on of the hands of the eldership.”
Paul again wrote in II Timothy 1:6, “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying of my hands.”
The word gift in both these passages is the Greek word charisma, which is used in the Bible elsewhere to describe spiritual gifts (Roman 12:6; 1 Cor 12:4). The Bible uses a different word dorea for the Holy Spirit Himself, as Christians, we receive the gift, the Holy Spirit is the keeper of the gifts or manifestations of the Holy Spirit, and gives them to and through believers as He will.
Laying on of Hands is often van empty ritual in the many churches today.
Laying on of hands is used in some church for confirmation, but these were never connected in scripture. To confirm is to establish, which is done by encouragement and instruction (exhortation - Acts 14:22; 15:32).
Laying on of hands is sometimes used indiscriminately to impart spiritual gifts without divine revelation. the distribution of spiritual gifts is determined by the Holy Spirit (He gives them to each one, just as he determines.” (I Cor 12:8-11).
Hands are some times laid on candidates for church offices without sufficient time to prove them. God’s word warns against this in I Timothy 5:22.
“Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure...”
DOING THE WORDS
Do you have a special need? The power of the Holy Spirit? A spiritual gift for God’s work?
Get a spirit-filled man or woman to lay hands on you
Allow the Lord to use you to bless others globally.
