Christianity is to be practical and have real results in our lives. God wants to affect our lives not just in eternity, but now on this earth. The Holy Spirit is here to change our lives in profound ways – impacting our spirits, souls, and bodies.
One of the basic ways God moves in our lives is through the laying on of hands. The laying on of hands is a physical act that has profound spiritual results. We need to understand and practice the laying on of hands in order to experience the practical power of Christianity.
The laying on of hands happens when one believer lays hands on another believer. This is a physical act that can only be done in person with other believers. It cannot be done online or through a screen. Laying on of hands involves physically touching another person. In order for this to happen, we must be willing to touch other believers and to have them touch us.
Physical touch is very important, and many scientific studies prove this. Touch is important for both mental and physical health. For babies, touch is important for their development. For example, in one study, preterm babies who received touch therapy gained 47% more weight than those who did not receive touch. For babies, touch helps regulate stress hormones, temperature, respiration, and even liver function. It promotes a sense of security and trust.
It’s similar for adults. In adults, touch can be used to treat anxiety, depression, and even physical pain. Touch deprivation in adults leads to increased stress, weakened immune function, a decreased sense of well-being, and difficulties in forming and maintaining relationships.
Laying on of hands for Christians is primarily not about physical benefits, but it’s about spiritual benefits.
Laying on of hands is one of the basic principles of Christ (Hebrews 6:1-2). It is an elementary principle of the Christian faith, and it’s part of the foundation of our spiritual life. It is part of the milk of the word that we need to grow into spiritual maturity. If we don’t understand and practice the laying on of hands, we will remain as spiritual babies, lack a firm foundation of our faith, and be unable to move past elementary school in our spiritual growth. Laying on of hands is vitally important and essential to become spiritually mature, according to the New Testament.
There are times when we will need people to lay hands on us, and times when we will need to lay hands on others. We need to be able to recognize when these times are, and what is accomplished by the laying on of hands.
In the Old Testament, the laying on of hands was used to impart blessings (Genesis 48:14). It was used to impart spiritual wisdom (Deuteronomy 34:9). It was used to equip people spiritually for ministry (Nehemiah 8:10).
The New Testament builds on this understanding and reveals what is the purpose of the laying on of hands today for Christians. Throughout the New Testament, there are many examples of the laying on of hands. Jesus frequently laid hands on people. He laid hands on people to bless them (Mark 10:16). He laid hands on the sick to heal them (Luke 4:40; 13:13). One of the most basic miracles in Jesus’ ministry was to lay hands on the sick to heal them (Mark 6:5). The apostles often laid hands on people to heal them (Acts 28:8).
There are many reasons for us to lay hands on people today. First of all, it’s a basic principle of our Christian faith. In addition, when we lay hands on people, we’re following the example of Jesus and the apostles. Furthermore, Jesus commanded us to lay hands on the sick to heal them (Mark 16:18).
The laying on of hands accomplishes many things spiritually. It is a powerful spiritual tool for us as Christians. The New Testament reveals that the laying on of hands is used to accomplish primarily four different things:
1. The laying on of hands causes physical healing.
2. It causes people to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. Throughout the New Testament, when people needed to be baptized in the Holy Spirit, this often happened through the laying on of hands (Acts 8:17; 9:17; 19:6).
3. The laying on of hands can impart spiritual gifts (1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6).
4. The laying on of hands can launch people into ministry (Acts 6:6; 13:3).
These four things are very important parts of our Christian life, and they often happen through the laying on of hands. It’s no wonder that laying on of hands is such a basic and important part of the Christian faith.
There will be times when we need to ask for the laying on of hands. Maybe we’re sick or we need to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. At this time, we should approach the church or mature Christians and ask them to lay hands on us.
There will be times when the church recognizes the need to lay hands on someone. Maybe the church feels God leading to impart a spiritual gift to a person or launch a person into new ministry.
The laying on of hands is an essential part of our Christian lives. As we understand and practice the laying on of hands, we will receive new blessings from God.
Lincoln House Churches 