Doctrines of Christ 6

Doctrines of Christ Part 6 Today we will continue our study of the Doctrines of Christ by looking at the doctrine of laying on of hands (Hebrews 6:2). First, we must understand every doctrine in this series is God ordained and not man-made. They are essential principles of Christ that are foundational to everything else in our walk of faith. We can begin to see the importance of the laying on of hands even in the Old Testament. Often the priests, prophets, or patriarchs would lay hands upon someone to pronounce a spiritual blessing upon them. Here are just a few examples. Separation Unto a Special Work Numbers 27:23 And he laid his hands on him and inaugurated him, just as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses. Transference of Spiritual Endowment 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. Pronouncement of the Blessing Genesis 48:14 Then Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh's head, guiding his hands knowingly, for Manasseh was the firstborn. Genesis 48:15 And he blessed Joseph, and said: "God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, The God who has fed me all my life long to this day, Genesis 48:16 The Angel who has redeemed me from all evil, Bless the lads; Let my name be named upon them, And the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; And let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth. There are many more but hopefully, we can see how the Jewish people practiced the laying on of hands for centuries prior to the New Testament. In the New Testament The New Testament incorporates and establishes the practice of the laying on of hands as a foundational pillar of the faith. It is not to simply be a symbolic exercise. It is so much more. There is a release of power, blessing, healing and grace associated with it. Here are some New Testament examples of the laying on of hands and how it was considered a sacred and powerful expression of releasing and receiving the blessings of God. To begin with, Jesus practiced and taught the laying on of hands. Mark 6:5 Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. Luke 4:40 When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them. Mark 16:17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; Mark 16:18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. Revelation 1:17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. The apostles and early disciples practiced the laying on of hands. Acts 6:3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; Acts 6:4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word." Acts 6:5 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, Acts 6:6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. Act 8:14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, Act 8:15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. Act 8:16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Act 8:17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Acts 9:17 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 9:18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. Acts 28:8 And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. What was accomplished by this practice of the laying on of hands? What benefit was and is in this act of faith? Were there other applications for the laying on of hands? We will examine this in our next post. Until then, may God our Father richly bless and keep you! James Brown CST 04/15/2022