Laying on of Hands
The 4th Principle is Laying on of Hands.
This is a principle that has become neglected in the modern churches. Most places of worship do not practice the Laying on of Hands. Maybe you have seen it practiced at a Pentecostal Church. However, that is the exception rather than the norm. Rarely does mainstream Christianity practice biblical Laying on of Hands. Why is this so?
Possibly, the answer is in the fact that so few believe or have experienced God’s power in the churches of today. Although others may not, we should pursue this principle because God has set forth this practice in His word. God’s word must be the standard above all things.
Biblical, Laying on of Hands involves the impartation of God’s Spirit. In the early congregations, the gift of prophecy was ministered by the laying on of hands. So few believe in that power today. Further, many believe that prophecy is not an option for their lives today. Some may even quote 1 Corinthians 13:8-10:
8 Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
It is sad that this passage and others are being misused to deny the power of God. It is the very thing that believers need, yet are denied by the churches of today.
Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:5-7:
5That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; 6Even as the testimony of Messiah was confirmed in you: 7So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Yeshua Messiah:
Paul wanted them to be benefited by the gifts. It was something for them and for us today. Peter declared in Acts 2:17:
17And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
The Spirit of God was poured out on all flesh. That was not just for the 1st Century, it is for us today. That includes every believer that has walked the face of the earth, including those of today. Peter further declares in Acts 2:39:
39For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
According to Peter, the promise of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is for everyone that God calls. If you are a born-again believer, this includes you. All one has to do is learn how to access the promise.
Today, we need prophecy more than ever. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 14:24-25:
24But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: 25And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
Although this is for the nonbeliever, we should recognize that we too can have the revelation that comes through prophecy, 1 Corinthians 14:31.
31For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
All believers should be hearing words of God and be able to prophesy. However, today because of the great falling away that occurred in the early church, believers do not seek after the power of God. As such, the laying on of hands has fallen into disrepute.
Regardless of what others may believe, the power of God is real and the Laying on of Hands must be an integral part of our lives as believers.
The subsequent pages will discuss the importance of hands and the 7 Aspects to the Laying on of Hands.
Next The Importance of the Hands
7 Aspects to the Laying on of Hands are:
Impartation of Spiritual Manifestations
Finally Not Suddenly
Return to First Principles