LAYING OF HANDS - Why the practice, and by who? The Lord called to Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting. He said, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When anyone among you brings an offering to the Lord, bring as your offering an animal from either the herd or the flock. You are to lay your hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on your behalf to make atonement for you. (Leviticus 1:1-2, 4 NIV) “When Aaron has finished making atonement for the Most Holy Place, the tent of meeting and the altar, he shall bring forward the live goat. He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites—all their sins—and put them on the goat’s head. He shall send the goat away into the wilderness in the care of someone appointed for the task. The goat will carry on itself all their sins to a remote place; and the man shall release it in the wilderness. (Leviticus 16:20-22 NIV) You are to bring the Levites before the Lord, and the Israelites are to lay their hands on them. Aaron is to present the Levites before the Lord as a wave offering from the Israelites, so that they may be ready to do the work of the Lord. “Then the Levites are to lay their hands on the heads of the bulls, using one for a sin offering to the Lord and the other for a burnt offering, to make atonement for the Levites. (Numbers 8:10-12 NIV) 1. For the ATONEMENT OF SINS. What is that? To atone is to suffer the penalty for sins, thereby removing the effects of sin from the repentant sinner and allowing him or her to be reconciled to God. In the old covenant, this was done through bulls and goats until Jesus whom these were foreshadowing came and became the ultimate sacrifice for the atonement of sins of mankind. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. (Romans 3:25-26 NIV) 2. TO DEDICATE LEADERS UNTO THE LORD... Hands were laid on those whom God chose to lead others, for their dedication, blessing, and/or confirmation unto the Lord for the work of the Lord. So the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership, and lay your hand on him. Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the entire assembly and commission him in their presence. (Numbers 27:18-19 NIV) Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the Lord had commanded Moses. (Deuteronomy 34:9 NIV) ...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; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 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 hands on them. (Acts 6:1-6 NKJV) One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way. (Acts of the Apostles 13:2-3 NLT) 3. TO IMPART SPIRITUAL GIFTS FOR THE WORK OF THE LORD Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. (1 Timothy 4:14 NLT) I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:5-7 NLT) 4. TO BLESS THE LITTLE CHILDREN Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them. (Mark 10:13-16 NKJV) 5. TO HEAL THE SICK 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. (Luke 4:40 NKJV) 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. So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. (Acts 28:8-9 NKJV) 6. TO PRAY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE ACCEPTED CHRIST TO RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT AFTER THIER CONVERSION Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none 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. (Acts 8:14-17 NKJV) WHO CAN LAY HANDS ON OTHERS? 1. Believers He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” (Mark 16:15-18 NIV) 2. Apostles Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! (Acts 8:17-20 NIV) 3. Elders of the church Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. (James 5:14 NIV) I have taken time to go through this so that we as a people know why we do certain things, and other Christians decry certain practices. Given the Biblical truth that ALL BELIEVERS can lay hands on the sick NOT HASTILY though, I see no reason for pilgrimage to another believer for the laying of hands. The Word of God clearly says this, Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (James 5:14-16 NIV) All a sick person and his relatives need is believer who can stand with them in faith and pray. If you have Jesus in your heart you are considered righteous before God. No more ignorance about these things, and no more strife about it, God gave no special assignments to no man, His commands are for all His people. I can lay hands on any sick person and he will be healed, and so can you. May the Lord forgive and deliver all those who have ignorantly allowed others to lay hands on them for amy other reason not mentioned in the Bible. May the Lord release you from the bondage that came to your lives as a result of whatever that was transferred over your life, may you be set free from every demonic impartation in the precious name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Shalom LAYING OF HANDS - Why the practice, and by who? The Lord called to Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting. He said, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When anyone among you brings an offering to the Lord, bring as your offering an animal from either the herd or the flock. You are to lay your hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on your behalf to make atonement for you. (Leviticus 1:1-2, 4 NIV) “When Aaron has finished making atonement for the Most Holy Place, the tent of meeting and the altar, he shall bring forward the live goat. He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites—all their sins—and put them on the goat’s head. He shall send the goat away into the wilderness in the care of someone appointed for the task. The goat will carry on itself all their sins to a remote place; and the man shall release it in the wilderness. (Leviticus 16:20-22 NIV) You are to bring the Levites before the Lord, and the Israelites are to lay their hands on them. Aaron is to present the Levites before the Lord as a wave offering from the Israelites, so that they may be ready to do the work of the Lord. “Then the Levites are to lay their hands on the heads of the bulls, using one for a sin offering to the Lord and the other for a burnt offering, to make atonement for the Levites. (Numbers 8:10-12 NIV) 1. For the ATONEMENT OF SINS. What is that? To atone is to suffer the penalty for sins, thereby removing the effects of sin from the repentant sinner and allowing him or her to be reconciled to God. In the old covenant, this was done through bulls and goats until Jesus whom these were foreshadowing came and became the ultimate sacrifice for the atonement of sins of mankind. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. (Romans 3:25-26 NIV) 2. TO DEDICATE LEADERS UNTO THE LORD... Hands were laid on those whom God chose to lead others, for their dedication, blessing, and/or confirmation unto the Lord for the work of the Lord. So the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership, and lay your hand on him. Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the entire assembly and commission him in their presence. (Numbers 27:18-19 NIV) Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the Lord had commanded Moses. (Deuteronomy 34:9 NIV) ...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; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 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 hands on them. (Acts 6:1-6 NKJV) One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way. (Acts of the Apostles 13:2-3 NLT) 3. TO IMPART SPIRITUAL GIFTS FOR THE WORK OF THE LORD Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. (1 Timothy 4:14 NLT) I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:5-7 NLT) 4. TO BLESS THE LITTLE CHILDREN Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them. (Mark 10:13-16 NKJV) 5. TO HEAL THE SICK 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. (Luke 4:40 NKJV) 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. So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. (Acts 28:8-9 NKJV) 6. TO PRAY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE ACCEPTED CHRIST TO RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT AFTER THIER CONVERSION Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none 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. (Acts 8:14-17 NKJV) WHO CAN LAY HANDS ON OTHERS? 1. Believers He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” (Mark 16:15-18 NIV) 2. Apostles Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! (Acts 8:17-20 NIV) 3. Elders of the church Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. (James 5:14 NIV) I have taken time to go through this so that we as a people know why we do certain things, and other Christians decry certain practices. Given the Biblical truth that ALL BELIEVERS can lay hands on the sick NOT HASTILY though, I see no reason for pilgrimage to another believer for the laying of hands. The Word of God clearly says this, Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (James 5:14-16 NIV) All a sick person and his relatives need is believer who can stand with them in faith and pray. If you have Jesus in your heart you are considered righteous before God. No more ignorance about these things, and no more strife about it, God gave no special assignments to no man, His commands are for all His people. I can lay hands on any sick person and he will be healed, and so can you. May the Lord forgive and deliver all those who have ignorantly allowed others to lay hands on them for amy other reason not mentioned in the Bible. May the Lord release you from the bondage that came to your lives as a result of whatever that was transferred over your life, may you be set free from every demonic impartation in the precious name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Shalom
Posted on: Thu, 25 Sep 2014 06:12:14 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015