Lesson 5. The “Elementary Teachings of Christ” School is based on Hebrews 6. These are seven elementary teachings in which the early Christian Church saw the foundation of the Christian faith.
Laying on of Hands and Blessings
Blessings can be imparted not only through words but also through the laying on of hands.
Genesis 48:14–15: But Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on Ephraim’s head, although he was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh’s head. He deliberately crossed his hands, although Manasseh was the firstborn. And he blessed Joseph…
Mark 10:13–16: People were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And He took the children in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.
People “were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them” because they knew the principles of blessing. If we want to bless people, we can also lay hands on them.
Laying on of Hands and Baptism in the Holy Spirit
As we study Scripture, we see that the Holy Spirit came upon people in different ways: after water baptism (Acts 8:39), after prayer (Acts 4:31), during preaching (Acts 10:44), and also through the laying on of hands.
Some people receive baptism in the Holy Spirit immediately, but others need someone filled with the Spirit to come to them and lay hands on them.
Acts 8:14–17: When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the Word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. When they arrived, they prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit, for He had not yet fallen on any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
We need to lay hands on people and pray for God to baptize them in the Holy Spirit. We should teach people about this because many of them know nothing about the Holy Spirit or do not understand much about Him.
Acts 19:1–2, 6: While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the upper regions and came to Ephesus. Finding some disciples there, he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They replied, “We have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” (Verse 6) And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
Some people simply have not been taught about the Holy Spirit. They need to hear preaching on this subject and then have prayer made for them (Acts 6:6) with the laying on of hands so that they too may receive the Holy Spirit.
The Laying on of Hands and Healing
In Scripture, we see that Jesus laid hands on the sick, those who had unclean spirits, lepers, and the dead. This means that we can lay hands on everyone who needs healing, deliverance, or resurrection.
In most of the recorded instances when Jesus performed miracles, He touched people or laid hands on them.
Luke 6:19: And the whole crowd sought to touch Him, because power went out from Him and healed them all.
Mark 6:56: Wherever He went—in villages, cities, or the countryside—they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged Him to let them touch even the edge of His garment; and all who touched Him were healed.
Luke 4:40: When the sun was setting, all who had people sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on each one of them and healed them.
Jesus laid hands on the sick or touched them so that healing power would come upon their bodies. Jesus also taught His followers to lay hands on people when praying for the sick.
Mark 16:17: And these signs will accompany those who believe: in My name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.
James also does not overlook this when teaching how to pray for the sick:
James 5:14: Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
When we anoint a sick person with oil, we touch them with our hands. This allows God's healing power to flow through us.
Laying on of hands and setting apart for ministry
How were ministers appointed in the early apostolic Church? If we read Scripture carefully, we will notice that this took place with prayer and the laying on of hands. (This was often accompanied by fasting.)
Acts 6:5–6: And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
Acts 14:23: So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
Acts 13:2–3: 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.
In Acts 13:2–3, we see the following: The Holy Spirit clearly said that He was calling Barnabas and Saul to ministry, so they needed to be set apart for this ministry. The Greek word “separate” means “to set apart, segregate, choose.” In other words, it refers to choosing and appointing a person to ministry and delegating authority to them.
It is important for every minister to receive such a blessing. The Holy Spirit called Barnabas and Saul to ministry, so He told the church leaders to set them apart for ministry (Acts 13:1). The Holy Spirit uses a “greater” minister to bless a “lesser” one.
Hebrews 7:7: Now beyond all contradiction, the lesser is blessed by the greater.
Such a blessing accompanied by the laying on of hands is very important, because this is how the gifts of the Spirit necessary for ministry are released.
Deuteronomy 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.
1 Timothy 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 Timothy 1:6: Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
We see that Timothy was ordained, and through this he received a gift from God.
Regarding the “danger” of laying on of hands
There is an unfounded theory that demons can be transferred to a person through the laying on of hands. The only passage in Scripture that provides an explanation and warning concerning the laying on of hands is 1 Timothy 5:19–22. Paul gives instructions regarding church ministers who are sinning, warning Timothy not to act with partiality or be hasty in ordaining them to ministry.
1 Tim. 5:19–22: Do not accept an accusation against an elder except on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Those who sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the others may also have fear. Before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels, I charge you to observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing out of partiality. Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, and do not share in the sins of others (do not associate with them or have anything to do with them). Keep yourself pure.
This means that church pastors should not be hasty in ordaining ministers who are living in sin. We find no further indication in Scripture that the laying on of hands can be dangerous in any way.
Conclusion
- By laying hands on others, we release blessings upon them.
- By laying hands on others, we help them receive baptism in the Holy Spirit.
- By laying hands on others, we release healing power into them.
- We may lay hands on the sick, those who have unclean spirits, lepers, and the dead.
- Pastors, by laying hands on others, set people apart for ministry.
- Pastors, by laying hands on others, release the gifts of the Holy Spirit for ministry.
- When hands are laid on us, we cannot be harmed.
- Pastors and church leaders must not lay hands on pastors or ministers who are living in sin or appoint them to ministry.
Source: The Bible, chapter 6 of the Epistle to the Hebrews.
Teacher: Dmitriy Leo
