God's Gifts

Laying On of Hands

Scripture talks a great deal concerning the gift of the laying on of hands. Genesis 48 records how Jacob laid hands on Joseph's two sons to pass on the patriarchal blessing. In Numbers and later in Deuteronomy both Moses and Joshua laid hands on Aaron and his sons to consecrate them as priests. Finally, in 2 Kings Elisha laid hands on a young child and he was healed.

The New Testament is replete with accounts of the use of the gift of laying hands on different people. Jesus laid hands on the little children and blessed them. He also lay hands on the sick and they were made well. Paul and Barnabas were commissioned for their mission work through the laying on of hands of the elders at Antioch. While Timothy was ordained and received the spiritual gift through the laying on of hands (1 Timothy 4:). Ananias laid his hands on Saul to heal his blindness and to receive the Holy Spirit. And the gift of healing was given through the laying on of hands in (1 Corinthians 12:1-11).

Scripture tells us many times that the laying on of hands is a gift from God for the church and it is practiced in some form in most churches to this day.

Since the laying on of hands is the gift mot closely associated with the impartation of spiritual gifts and the reception of the Holy Spirit, it is also a gift to be used wisely. 1 Timothy 5:22 warns us, "Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure". We must be careful not to indiscriminately use this gift in case because the effects of another's sin may be passed on to us and we will share his guilt. By the same token, we must be very careful not to allow jut anyone to lay hands on us as well. If we allow those who practice the sinister practices of Reiki, Healing Touch or Therapeutic Touch to lay hands on us, then we too are participating in their sin and opening ourselves up to the powers of darkness.

Thank God for His gift of the laying on of hands, but let us be careful of using it incorrectly so that we do not open ourselves up to spiritual dimensions we must have nothing to do with.