LAYING ON OF HANDS

 

The laying on of hands is a channel of blessing which God has commanded. His will is to bless others through the gifts which he has imparted to us. Several examples of the benefits and blessings administered through the laying on of hands follow.

 

PROPHETIC BLESSING

 

Gen 48:14 Then Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh's head, guiding his hands knowingly, for Manasseh was the firstborn. 15 And he blessed Joseph, and said: "God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, The God who has fed me all my life long to this day, 16 The Angel who has redeemed me from all evil, Bless the lads; Let my name be named upon them, And the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; And let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth." 17 Now when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him; so he took hold of his father's hand to remove it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head. 18 And Joseph said to his father, "Not so, my father, for this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head." 19 But his father refused and said, "I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great; but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his descendants shall become a multitude of nations."

 

IMPARTING MINISTRY GIFTS AND SPIRITUAL GIFTS

 

1 Tim 4:14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.

 

2 Tim 1:6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

 

Deu 34:9 Now Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; so the children of Israel heeded him, and did as the LORD had commanded Moses.

 

PHYSICAL HEALING

 

Acts 9:17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.

 

Mark 16:17 “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 “they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly; it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

 

RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT

 

Acts 8:17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

 

Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.

 

APPOINTMENT TO AN OFFICE OF SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY

 

Num 27:22 So Moses did as the LORD commanded him. He took Joshua and set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation. 23 And he laid his hands on him and inaugurated him, just as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.

 

PRAYER

 

Mat 19:13 Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven." 15 And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.

 

SETTING APART FOR SERVICE TO GOD

 

Acts 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." 3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.

​

​​

​

TEST YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE LAYING ON OF HANDS

​

​

1. God uses the ___________________________________ as a channel of blessing.

 

2. It is God’s will to bless others with the __________________ he has given to us.

 

3. People often receive the gift of the _________________________ through the laying on of hands.

 

4. Jesus laid his hands on the little children to ________________ for them. 

 

5. Moses laid his hands on _____________________ to appoint him to a position of leadership over Israel.

 

6. Sick people can be healed through the ___________________________________.

 

7. _____________________ received a gift from God by the laying on of the Apostle Paul’s hands.

 

8. ___________________ and ___________________ were separated for their work in the ministry through the laying on of

 

hands.  

​

​

​

​