There is a something that happens with the laying on of hands. It is something special, supernatural and also quite Biblical. It seems that it is an expected and normal practice of the church to lay hands on people. “Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so.” (Hebrews 6:1–3, NIV84)
The laying on of hands can be used to impart a blessing to people.
“Then Joseph removed them from Israel’s knees and bowed down with his face to the ground. And Joseph took both of them, Ephraim on his right toward Israel’s left hand and Manasseh on his left toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them close to him. But Israel reached out his right hand and put it on Ephraim’s head, though he was the younger, and crossing his arms, he put his left hand on Manasseh’s head, even though Manasseh was the firstborn. Then he blessed Joseph and said, “May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day,” (Genesis 48:12–15, NIV84) When we want to bless someone in a special way in the presence of God and when we want to bless people with the blessings of God, we can lay hands on them as we pray the blessing over them. This can be done individually and also corporately. “Then Aaron lifted his hands toward the people and blessed them. And having sacrificed the sin offering, the burnt offering and the fellowship offering, he stepped down.” (Leviticus 9:22, NIV84)
The laying on of hands can be done to mark people for service.
The people of God all laid their hands upon the Levites in order to set them apart for their service to God. “You are to bring the Levites before the Lord, and the Israelites are to lay their hands on them. Aaron is to present the Levites before the Lord as a wave offering from the Israelites, so that they may be ready to do the work of the Lord.” (Numbers 8:10–11, NIV84)
The laying on of hands can be done to commission and ordain someone for ministry.
“So the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay your hand on him. Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the entire assembly and commission him in their presence. Give him some of your authority so the whole Israelite community will obey him.” (Numbers 27:18–20, NIV84) “Moses did as the Lord commanded him. He took Joshua and had him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole assembly. Then he laid his hands on him and commissioned him, as the Lord instructed through Moses.” (Numbers 27:22–23, NIV84) Apparently this was also a New Testament practice. “In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.” (Acts 13:1–3, NIV84) The deacons of the church had hands laid on them to prepare them for the service of taking care of tables. “They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.” (Acts 6:6, NIV84)
However, with the laying on of hands to commission someone for ministry, we are warned to not do this suddenly. “Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.” (1 Timothy 5:22, NIV84) Before we ordain people into ministry, we must examine their life and their character. “Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap. Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.” (1 Timothy 3:1–10, NIV84)
The laying on of hands can be done to believers for a Holy Spirit encounter. “Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 8:17, NIV84) “When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.” (Acts 19:6, NIV84)
The laying on of hands can be done for healing. “they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”” (Mark 16:18, NIV84) Jesus healed this way. “He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them.” (Mark 6:5, NIV84) Paul healed this way. “His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him.” (Acts 28:8, NIV84) Others did this. “In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”” (Acts 9:12, NIV84)
What happens when hands are laid?
We can receive the blessings of God spoken by others. “Then Joseph removed them from Israel’s knees and bowed down with his face to the ground. And Joseph took both of them, Ephraim on his right toward Israel’s left hand and Manasseh on his left toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them close to him. But Israel reached out his right hand and put it on Ephraim’s head, though he was the younger, and crossing his arms, he put his left hand on Manasseh’s head, even though Manasseh was the firstborn. Then he blessed Joseph and said, “May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day,” (Genesis 48:12–15, NIV84)
Wisdom can come through the laying on of hands. “Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the Lord had commanded Moses.” (Deuteronomy 34:9, NIV84)
People can receive the Holy Spirit. . “Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 8:17, NIV84)
People can speak in tongues and prophesy. “When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.” (Acts 19:6, NIV84)
People can receive gifts and prophetic words. “Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.” (1 Timothy 4:14, NIV84) “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” (2 Timothy 1:6, NIV84)
People are sent into ministry. “In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.” (Acts 13:1–3, NIV84)
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