The Doctrine of Laying on of Hands

The Doctrine of Laying on of Hands

In Hebrews, Chapter 6, we read about a doctrine of laying on of hands and that it belongs to the elementary principles which we are exhorted to leave behind. This obviously means that it is not wrong, but that we are not to dwell on it endlessly. However, let us take a look at it.

By the laying on of hands something good from God, the Giver of all good things, is imparted (given), such as the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:17 and 19:6); the gifts of the Spirit (1 Tim. 4:14; 2 Tim. 1:6); healing (Mark 16:18; Acts 28:8); grace and power for a certain ministry (Acts 6:3-6, 13:1-3); the Spirit of wisdom (Deut. 34:9); authority (Num. 27:16-23).

The Lord’s good pleasure is over the person who has hands laid on him (see Lev. 1:4); therefore we must not lay hands on just anyone, and even less for just any reason or for any gift. Acts 8:21.

For this very reason we have the exhortation in 1 Timothy 5:22 not to lay hands on anyone hastily.

In Numbers 27:21 we see that he who comes to the laying on of hands comes to judgment; therefore the person who is to lay his hands on him must have his Urim and Thummim (light and judgment) in order and use them. The doctrine is this: The person who lays his hands on someone is a kind of intermediary between God and the recipient. He is in contact with the heavenly powers, goods, gifts, and blessings and is a kind of entrusted deputy. When he lays his hands on the individual, it is certain that the benefits in question will be imparted to him.

The person who desires to receive something by the laying on of hands does so in faith toward God and in confidence toward the person who lays his hands on him.

The condition for it to succeed must necessarily be that the recipient of the benefit must be in the state in which he ought to be in order to receive the benefit (or benefits) concerned.

This, in turn, presupposes that the intermediary has judged the person and has assessed him correctly, that he has followed the exhortation: “Do not lay hands on anyone hastily.”

Deuteronomy 34:9 is one of the clearest and most powerful words that shows that by the laying on of hands the person actually leaves the blessing behind. This blessing is imparted with the utmost certainty as truly as everything is done properly!!!

In this connection it is appropriate to consider this word: “Whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Matt. 18:18. These “you” to whom this is addressed are God’s fellow workers with Urim and Thummim.