The Importance of Laying Hands
The act is so exceptional that God left it as a direct order to His servants
The act of laying hands on someone is biblical. Proof of its importance is that God created the world through His word alone, but when it came to His most excellent creation, He laid His hands on it. That is, the Most High performed the laying of hands on the human being.
The same happened throughout the Lord Jesus’ ministry, who performed countless miracles through His hands (Mk 1.41; 6.5; 8.23; Lk 4.40; 13.13).
The Son of God also blessed children in a kind of consecration, by laying His hands on them (Mk 10.16).
This act is so exceptional that He left it as a direct order to His servants: “(…) they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mark 16:18
We also see in the Scriptures that, when the hand of the Lord would come upon someone, something extraordinary would happen (1 Kings 18.46; 3.22; 37.1; 40.1), for it is a transfer of blessings.
There is no shortage of examples to show that the Kingdom of God comes upon a person when anointed hands are placed upon their head.
Let us look at some examples:
1. Jacob determined blessings upon Ephraim and Manasseh, by laying his hands upon their heads (Gen. 48:14-19).
2. In the presence of a multitude, the raising of one’s hands can have the same weight as the laying of hands: “And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.” Ex 17:11
“ Then Aaron lifted his hand toward the people, blessed them” Lev 9:22
3. The conquest of the Promised Land and the establishment of Israel as a nation also came through the laying of hands that Joshua received from Moses. In prayer, Moses asked the Lord to raise up a man to lead Israel. God answered him, commanding that his authority be transferred to his successor, through his hands: “(…) Take Joshua the son of Nun with you, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him (…)” Num 27:15-20)
4. In Samaria, Peter and John (Acts 8:17), and in Ephesus, Paul (Acts 19:6), laid hands on people so that they would be baptised with the Holy Spirit.
5. Ministries in the Early Church were raised and the demand of the work of God was supplied. “Whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.” (Acts 6.6)
6. Barnabas and Paul are set apart and enabled to spread the gospel throughout the world. “Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.” (Acts 13.3)
7. It was also through the laying of hands that Timothy had the gift of serving God awakened (1 Tim. 4.14).
Therefore, the laying of hands links the Giver to the creation… the Blesser to the needy, just as Almighty God once did when He laid His hands on Adam and Eve. Authority and power are delegated through this act, which looks simple but is extremely spiritual. It is even imitated by Satan in many rituals in sorcery.
However, at the same time that the laying of hands is commanded by God, caution is also recommended so that it is not done foolishly, and does not cause damage to the work of God.
“Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.” (1 Tim 5:22)
For it is up to those with authority to see to it that no unprepared person is given responsibilities before they’re ready, lest they become proud.
“Not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil.” (1 Tim 3.6)