Laying on of Hands

Laying on of Hands

Ray Perez describes the fundamental principles behind the various “laying on of hands” ceremonies used in the ministration of the Church. It is a symbolic ordinance for five primary purposes: blessing, healing, baptism, marriage, and ordination. The hands of God and Christ are described in the Bible as doing work, carrying out their purpose, being directly involved with human beings, and possessing great power. The laying on of hands provides a physical symbol of submission to God’s authority, and the practical “hands-on” involvement they have in our lives.

The blessing of children is a special anointing that sets them apart for protection and sanctification. Children are critically important to God. This blessing is not child baptism, which requires our conscious and thoughtful adult participation.

Anointing for healing is a special solicitation for intervention that is commanded and exemplified in the Bible. Dramatic public faith healings are not consistent with those examples, so we should be cautious not to be deceived by false miracles.

The laying on of hands at baptism is the physical sacrament we perform after God has intervened and called a person to repentance, signifying our willing receipt of God’s divine intervention to implant His Holy Spirit into our mind. The physical act has no power if the heart is not prepared and changed.

Marriages are bound and sanctified by the laying on of hands. Modern society excludes entirely or greatly diminishes God’s rightful and proper role as an active participant in a marriage covenant.

Those asked to serve in the Church in formal capacities are set apart and sanctified for God’s purpose by the laying on of hands. In the world today, anyone can become a minister, even those who appoint themselves to the role.

The laying on of hands is an accepted doctrine of the Church of God, and serves as a powerful physical symbol of God’s dominion over and involvement in our physical lives.

Keywords:
Hebrews 6:1-2 – laying on of hands – Genesis 1:26-27 – I Corinthians 12 – Psalm 8:6 – Psalm 102:25 – Hebrews 1:10 – Acts 19:11 – Isaiah 29:22-23, 60:21 – intervention – blessing of little children – Genesis 48:13-16 – Mark 10:13 – Psalm 103:1-4 – anointing – James 5:14-15 – Mark 6:5 – Luke 4:40 – Mark 5:22 – Acts 28:8, 19:11-12 – anointing cloth – healing – Acts 2:37-38, 8:14-17 – baptism – Acts 8:9-13, 18-24 – holy spirit – Numbers 8:6-11, 14 – Revelation 20:1-3