LEAVING THE FIRST PRINCIPLES UNDER THE LAW The Law contained sundry instructions relating to the laying on of hands. By Divine directive, animal sacrifices were dedicated to God by the priests laying their hands upon their heads (Ex 29:10,15,29; Lev 1:4; 3:2). When the whole congregation of Israel sinned, they were commanded to offer a young bullock to the Lord. In this case, the elders placed their hands upon the head of the bullock (Lev 4:15). DURING THE MINISTRY OF THE LORD JESUS When Jesus "dwelt among us," He often laid His hands upon people. With our blessed Lord, this was not a matter of mere routine. Among other things, it denoted the personal involvement of the Savior with the people. On one occasion, insightful people brought little children to Jesus "that He should put His hands on them, and pray." Although His disciples rebuked these people, Jesus "laid His hands on them" (Matt 19:13-15). Mark's Gospel says "He took them up in His arms, put His hands upon them, and blessed them" (Mark 1016). FOLLOWING CHRIST'S ASCENSION The practice of the laying on of hands continued after Christ's ascension, even though there was not a written word of instruction about the practice. -- Tomorrow:
"Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits." (Hebrews 6:1-4, NKJV).
Devotion 13 of 24
" . . . not laying again the foundation . . . of laying on of hands . . . "
One of the difficulties with this expressions is that there really is no "teaching" concerning "the laying on of hands" in the Apostolic doctrine. There are numerous examples given of this activity. However, no commands or instructions are given as to when and how this practice is to be executed.
A new light is thrown upon this subject, however, when we realize this Epistle is written to the Jews, who were very familiar with this practice. Before the law, for example, the eldest servant of Abraham put his hand under Abraham's thigh while making an oath concerning obtaining a wife for Isaac (Gen 24:10). Also, Jacob blessed the sons of Joseph while laying his hands upon them in a very deliberate manner (Gen 48:14).
When the Levites were consecrated, the people were commanded to put their hands upon them in an act of consecration, as they were dedicated to the Lord (Num 8:10-11).
God directed Moses to dedicate Joshua through the laying on of his hands (Num 27:18-23). Joshua's investment with the "spirit of wisdom" is traced back to this event (Deut 34:9).
Thus, before and under the Law, the laying on of hands was related to both blessing and dedication. It was preparatory in nature, relating to beginnings, whether of preparing a sacrifice for God, or of men for service to God.
Often Jesus laid His hands on those He healed. Jairus besought the Lord concerning his daughter, "I pray thee, come and lay Thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live" (Mark 5:23). On another occasion, some people brought a deaf man to Jesus, who had an impediment of speech, pleading for Him "to put His hand upon him" (Mark 7:32).
When Jesus came into "His own country," unbelief was so rampant "He could there do no mighty work, save that He laid His hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them" (Mark 6:5). On another occasion, after leading a blind man out of the unbelieving town of Bethsaida, the Lord twice laid His hands upon him as He healed him (Mark 8:23-25). On one occasion, when the sun was setting, everyone who had any sick brought them to Jesus. It is written, "and He laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them" (Luke 4:40).
Following His resurrection, and prior to His ascension, Jesus commissioned His Apostles. He spoke of signs that would follow those who believed, saying, "they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover" (Mark 16:18).
In all of these instances, no instructions were given, only accounts of what happened, or would happen.
The choice of the first seven deacons, or servants of the church, was ratified by the laying on of hands. "Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
(Acts 6:6).
Laying on of hands was employed in the Apostolic conferment of the Holy Spirit. One notable instance took place in Samaria. "Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, "Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit" (Acts 8:17-19). Another took place in Ephesus, where some disciples of John were rebaptized in the name of Christ. "And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied" (Acts 19:6).
In separation for a special Spirit-directed task, the laying on of hands was used. "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.' Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away (Acts 13:3).
We have an example of healing accompanied by the laying on of hands. "And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him" (Acts 28:8).
Setting one aside for focused ministry was accompanied by the laying on of hands. "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'" (Acts 9:17). "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" (1 Tim 4:14). "Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands" (2 Tim 1:6).
Paul instructed Timothy on the matter one time, and that had nothing whatsoever to do with procedure. Timothy was not to be hasty in the laying on of hands. "Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure" (1 Tim 5:22, NIV).
Whatever may be said concerning the laying on of hands, it is not an appropriate subject for emphasis among God's people. We do not speak against the practice, any more than we do against repentance, faith, of cleansing. But God will not allow us to remain in a position that allows for a continual discussion of the laying on of hands. While valid, the laying on of hands is more related to procedure than vitality, and to beginnings than to maturity. It thus must not become a major emphasis. Nor, indeed, is it to become the cause of division. It is what results from the laying on of hands that validates the deed, not the fact that it was done.
Finally, should one choose to develop an elaborate teaching about the laying on of hands, a great deal of imagination will be required. Apart from the Levitical law, one will search in vain for a single procedural command on the practice. The directive to Timothy is the solitary word relating to the how it was to be done -- not hastily, or suddenly, but with deliberation.
We must not fall into the trap of confining the laying on of hands to a specific activity, whether relating to the procedures of the Law, the conferment of special endowments by the hands of the apostles, or the dedication of individuals to the service of the Lord. The fact that we have received only general information about this confirms it is elementary. It is not a suitable subject for extended teaching, debate, or disputation. That is the whole point of the text. Here is a matter that is in the vestibule of spiritual, not at its center.
It will only take you a few moments to read every single word on this subject in the Holy Scriptures. If, after you have read those things, you feel compelled to linger on the subject, making it the focus of attention and the subject of continual discussion, then our text is addressed to you: " . . . not laying again the foundation . . . of laying on of hands . . . "
PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You for the examples of the laying on of hands that You have provided in Your word. I see that it is a sacred activity, and is not to be despised. I also see that it is not to be my focus of attention, nor is an understanding of it a particular sign of maturity. Help me not to be distracted by carnal curiosity concerning the laying on of hands.