Laying on of Hands
Last week Pastor Taylor from King’s Park International Church spoke on the Laying on of Hands. This is the fourth of the six foundation doctrines of the Christian faith listed in Hebrews chapter 6. At first glance the ”laying on of hands” struck me as unusual because, while I’d heard a lot about the first three foundation doctrines (repentance, faith and baptisms), I had heard very little about this one. If you were unfamiliar like I was about the laying on of hands I hope last Wednesday changed that.
To briefly recap, the laying on of hands is used throughout the scripture to: transmit blessings or spiritual gifts, release healing, commission, fill with the Holy Spirit, set people in leadership and to send people out.
We see it in Genesis 48:13-22 when Jacob blesses Joseph’s sons by placing his hands on their heads and in the ministry of Jesus when he blessed the little children (Luke.10:13-16) and gave sight to the blind (Matt. 20:29-34). With a little bit of searching it’s clear to see that this practice is found throughout the scripture. However, along with the clear Biblical precedent, another reason why I believe the laying on of hands is important is simply because we are human.
As humans physical touch is one of the ways we communicate. With our hands we not only greet one another but also comfort, congratulate and encourage each other. Our hands play an important role in relationships of all sorts and it seems very natural that the One who created us would also have a purpose for them as well. He does!
This is God’s encouragement to us through the Apostle Paul:
“Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.” Romans 6:13
“I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.” 1 Timothy 2:8
With this in mind let us commit our hands daily to the LORD as His holy instruments of righteousness. Let us exercise wisdom as we use our hands not only to comfort, congratulate and encourage but also to bless one another for God’s glory and trust that He will breathe His supernatural life and power into them.
- Felix