Basic #4: Laying on of Hands
What comes to mind when you hear the phrase, “Laying on of hands?” Do you picture healing, or perhaps impartation? Maybe both. What does this expression actually mean? Healing and impartation are part of it, but there’s more to it. So, let’s break this down by the actual words in the phrase, then get some biblical context.
Laying on, or putting on in the Greek is EPITHESIS, pronounced ep-ith’-es-is (Strong’s number, 1936). This noun is a derivative of EPITITHĒMI (Strong’s number 2007), which is the verb; an imposition (of hands officially): – laying (putting) on. When in used in conjunction with hands it points to blessing and ordination. More on that in a moment.
CHEIR, pronounced khire (Strong’s number 5495). The hand (originally meant the whole arm, from the shoulder to the tip of the fingers). (Literally or figuratively [power]; especially [by Hebraism] a means or instrument): – hand. Thus, the hand is an instrument of action and power.
Laying on of hands is an act of blessing, impartation, ordination or inauguration, and of course a symbol of healing. In the Old Testament it was an act of blessing, as well as ordination, or placing someone in office or position of authority.
We see this illustrated by the Patriarchs who blessed their children and grandchildren, as they laid their hands on them in the process (i.e., Genesis 48:8-21 [Jacob blesses Ephraim and Manasseh]).
One example of laying of hands in relation to placing someone in authority is when Moses laid hands on Joshua and commissioned him before all the congregation of Israel.
Numbers 27:18-20 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay thine hand upon him; And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight. And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient (read verses 22-23 for the completed act).
The concept of laying on of hands in relation to blessing is carried into the New Testament, and of course we see Jesus as our Primary Example. Moreover, we see this action in connection with healing.
Mark 16:18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
As to impartation, we see this in connection with those receiving the Holy Spirit.
Acts 8:14-17 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
As a side note, one may receive Holy Spirit without someone laying hands on him or her. This we see in Acts 10 in relation to Cornelius and his household. In this particular case, they received the Gift of Holy Spirit as they heard the Gospel preached to them by the Apostle Peter. Peter did not lay hands on them.
Paul makes mention of the gift inside of Timothy, who received it by prophecy with the laying of hands of the presbytery (1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6).
As we see there are a number of facets involved with the laying of hands. There is an underlying theme here: laying of hands is led by Holy Spirit. It is not something to be done in half-hearted manner.
1 Timothy 5:22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.
