First Principles – Laying on of Hands

27 March 2011

1. Introduction:

Heb. 6:1-3 “Let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation ….”
The foundation of any building is important, is unseen, but it determines the capacity and stability.
Growth to maturity is not automatic – it requires that the foundations be laid in our lives.

§ Repentance and faith – establish our new identity as a believer in Christ – Children of God.

§ We are baptised by the Holy Spirit into Christ and into His Body or family.

§ We acknowledge we identify with Christ’s death, burial and resurrection by act of Water Baptism.

§ We enter a new realm of supernatural living by being baptised in the Spirit.

Laying on of Hands:
Definition: one person places their hands upon another person (usually the head) with a definite spiritual purpose – usually accompanied by prayer/prophetic words.
In the laying on of hands there is a spiritual connection and transference of spirit life and power from one person to another – you cannot give what you do not have.
The person receiving the spiritual impartation exercises faith that God will impart to them through the activity of another person e.g. Mk. 5:27-30 woman; Lk 6:19 Multitude.

2. Purpose of Laying on of Hands

i) Impartation of Blessing

Gen. 48:13-15 “Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it upon Ephraim’s head … and he blessed Joseph …”
Blessings were Prophetic words spoken over a person that became imparted through the laying on of hands.
The blessing was not able to be revoked once it had been imparted. Gen.27:34.
Blessings with laying on of hands acknowledged someone was chosen by God for a purpose.
Other Examples:

Num. 27:18-20 Moses lays hands on Joshua and imparts authority and wisdom.

Mk. 10:13-16 Jesus lays hands on children and blesses them – spoke into them.

ii) Impartation of Baptism of Holy Spirit

Acts 8:17 “Then they laid hands upon them and they received the Holy Spirit”.
Acts 9:17-18 “Ananaias lays hands upon Paul and speaks over him prophetically. Paul receives baptism in Holy Spirit and is healed”.
N.B. Ananaias held no office – he was a disciple of Christ who listened to the Holy Spirit.

Mk. 16:17 “These signs will follow those who believe...they shall lay hands on sick …”

- Laying on of hands is not just a ceremony – it produces a real spiritual effect.

- There is a real spiritual contact between two people and transference takes place.

- This is a ministry for all believers – we carry the life and power of God.

- God works through people making vital faith connection with other people.

iii) Impartation of Spiritual Gifts

· 1 Tim. 4:14 “Do not neglect the gift of God which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of hands of the eldership.

· 2 Tim. 1:6 “Stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

- Timothy had some spiritual gift – supernatural operation of the Holy Spirit.

- That gift was given to Timothy by impartation.

- Timothy was known by Paul and the eldership and in relationship with them.

- Through prophecy the will of God was revealed – by laying on of hands it became effective.

- There was a real impartation and a subsequent spiritual conflict over this gift.

- Paul also urged Timothy to stir up the gift and warfare using the prophetic word 1Tim.1:11-18.

iv) Deliverance and Healing

(a) Deliverance

· Lk. 13:11-13 “Woman you are loosed from your infirmity, and He laid His hands on her…”

· Jesus spoke a word of command and it became effective as He laid hands upon her. The tormenting spirit of infirmity departed from the woman and she was healed.

(b) Healing the Sick

· Mk. 16:15-18

5 supernatural signs are associated with preaching the gospel.

“These signs shall follow those who believe” – this is a faith ministry for all believers.”

“They shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover!”

i) Healing the sick is connected to preaching the Gospel and demonstrating its power.

ii) Recover = to become well again.

§ It is up to God how the person is made well and how long it takes to recover.

§ The healing may be instantaneous (a miracle) or they recover gradually.

iii) Impartation of power

§ The person may feel a flow of power through them – warmth, electric.

§ The person may feel nothing at all.

iv) Faith is necessary (Mt.9:29 “according to your faith be it done unto you”)

§ The persons faith must remain active.

§ People tend to wait until they feel better.

§ People tend to focus on what has not changed i.e. focus on the sickness.

§ People need to focus on what God’s Word says and stay active in faith

(a) Thank God for what He has done.

(b) Continue to confess the Word of God in the face of negative symptoms.

§ If the person lets go of active faith the healing may not be fully complete or may be lost.

v) Jam. 5:14-15 “If any among you be sick …”

§ God expects believers to be connected with a local church and leaders that minister.

§ God expects believers who are sick to seek healing from Him first – call elders.

§ OK to receive help from doctors but seek the Lord first – I believe God!

§ Oil is symbolic only of the person and power of the Holy Spirit – Faith contact point.

v) Commissioning Believers

(a) Apostolic Commissioning

Act 13:1-4 “Having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them they sent them”

§ Holy Spirit had already spoken personally into hearts of Saul and Barnabus.

§ Holy Spirit spoke prophetically and publicly confirmed their call and directed their going.

§ Laying of hands was done to confirm, commission, and confer authority.

§ God had already gone ahead and prepared the way for them. (Act 14:16-17).

(b) Setting in of Leaders

§ Acts 6:2-7 “…and when they had prayed they laid hands upon them”

§ They publicly acknowledged the choice of these men and committed them to the task.

§ They imparted authority and grace for the task.