The Significance Of Laying On Hands

The early church was experiencing phenomenal growth, marvelous miracles, pulsating power, and unlimited blessings. Then, right in the middle of this success story, dissension arose. The Greek speaking

widows were being neglected in favor of the Hebrew speaking widows.

The Apostles said that they didn’t need to leave their role as leaders of the fellowship and proclaimers of the Word to deal with this problem. They, therefore, told the congregation to select a group of men, who most scholars believe were the first Deacons. They were to address the conflict by leading the church to serve the needs of the widows in an effective and efficient manner. And this they did. This group of men worked well at providing the servant leadership needed to address the problem and get the church back on the road to pleasing God.

As we look at the process, we note that the qualifications for those elected were described by the Apostles, then men were elected by the church that met these qualifications, and once elected, they were prayed over by the Apostles, who laid hands on them.

We readily understand the importance of setting qualifications for those who might serve, and the propriety of having the congregation elect those who were found to be qualified. We understand the importance of praying for them as they start their work. But why do we lay hands on them? Before we consider why we lay hands as part of the ordination service, let’s first consider the biblical practice of laying on hands.

Laying on Hands in the Old Testament.

1. Laying on hands was involved in passing along a curse.

A. Laying hands on a sacrificial animal.

Every sin offering put forth in the Book of Leviticus commands that hands be laid on the animal to demonstrate how the curse of the sins of the individual or the people were being placed on a sacrificial animal (Leviticus 1:3-4; 3:1-2; 4:15; 16:20-22).

This, of course, symbolized the actual and ultimate sacrifice for sin that was offered by our Savior at Calvary.

B. Laying hands on a blasphemer.

When people blasphemed the name of God, the individual who committed blasphemy had hands laid on him so he would bear the curse he invoked. “Bring out of the camp the one who cursed, and let all who heard him lay their hands on his head, and let all the congregation stone him. And speak to the people of Israel, saying, Whoever curses his God shall bear his sin” (Leviticus 24:14-15).

This, of course, also reminds us of how Christ suffered our curse “outside the city gate” or “outside the camp” (Hebrews 13:12-13).

Interestingly enough, we do not see the laying on of hands associated with curses in the New Testament. Perhaps, that’s because through the cross, Christ bore our curse for us. The imagery is no longer needed, since the reality has come.

“But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, ‘Cursed is

everyone who is hung on a tree.’” - Galatians 3:13

2. Laying on hands was involved in passing along a blessing.

Such was the case with fathers blessing their sons (Genesis 48:14-19), and the blessing of new leaders (Numbers 8:10; 27:18; Deut. 34:9).

Laying on Hands in the New Testament.

As mentioned previously, we do not find laying on hands associated with passing along a curse in the New Testament, but simply to pass along a blessing.

A. Jesus.

Jesus laid hands on others to bless them. He did this with children (Mark 10:16; Matthew 19:15). He also did this when healing the sick.

“While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, ‘Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.’ Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be clean!’ And immediately the leprosy left him.” - Luke 5:12-13

So Jesus laid hands on many that He healed; however, He also healed without laying His hands on people. In fact, there were times when He was nowhere in the vicinity of those He healed. So while He did lay hands on many He healed, it wasn’t so healing could take place, but to convey blessing to those He healed.

B. The Apostles.

Like Jesus, the Apostles laid hands on others in order to bless them. Now, like Jesus, there were people who were healed who they laid hands on, but the purpose wasn’t to heal, but to convey blessing. Some people were healed when the apostles laid hands on them, but others were healed without an Apostle touching them (Acts 5:15 - Peter’s shadow; Acts 19:11-12 - Paul’s handkerchiefs or aprons).