Southern Heights Baptist Church

Biblical Examples of Laying on of Hands

Deacons, Pastors, Ministers, Missionaries

It has been said that the Book of Acts is a transitional book from Law to Grace, from Jewish teachings to Christianity and one should be careful not to establish his doctrine from the book of Acts. Some of these are Apostolic Gifts that were exercise by the Apostles.

The Apostles laid hands on the seven deacons—
“Whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.” “The Laying on the hands of the Apostles (Acts 6:6).

They laid hands on the missionaries before they sent them out

(Acts 13:3) The text reads in the original language: “Then, having fasted and having prayed, and having laid hands on them, they sent them away.” They fasted and prayed and laid hands on them before they sent them away.

I Tim. 5:22 “Lay hand suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins, keep thyself pure.’’

A. “The ceremony that affirmed a man’s suitability for and acceptance into public ministry as an elder/pastor/overseer.

B. This came from the OT practice of laying hands on a sacrificial animal to identify with it (Ex. 29:10, 15, 19; Lev. 4:15; Nu. 8:10; 27:18-23; Deut. 34:9; Matt. 19:15; Acts 8:17, 18; 9:17; Heb. 6:2). --John MacArthur, Bible Commentary, 1795.

C. Hastily refers to proceeding with this ceremony without a thorough investigation and preparation period to be certain of the man’s qualifications (as in I Tim. 3:1-7).

D. Nor share in other men’s sins. “Keep thyself pure.” This refers to the sin of hasty ordination, which makes those responsible culpable for the man’s sin of serving as an unqualified elder and, thus, misleading people.” This indicates that another man’s sins can have an effect upon others.

I Tim. 1:18 “The Greek word for previously made literally means, “leading the way to,” implying that a series of prophecies had been given about Timothy in connection with his receiving his spiritual gift (4:14). MCSB, 1795.

Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given to thee in prophecy, by the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

Apostolic Miracles

They received the Holy Spirit when the apostles laid hands on them (Acts 8:14-17). This Apostolic gift was practiced during the era of the Apostles, before the canon of scripture was complete. Peter and John, both Apostles used the keys to the kingdom to open the door of salvation (Matt. 16:13-19) to the Jews, to the people of Samaria, and to the Gentiles (Acts 2:1-8; 8:4-5; 10:1-3, 34-48; 2 Cor. 12:12; “Signs of an Apostle” of Paul the Apostle).
“Simon the sorcerer – a false teacher wanted to exercise this gift.

Acts 19:6 Apostolic Miracles:

Paul… laid hands … on them the Holy Spirit was given… they spoke with tongues and prophesied. This is not the normal way in which people believe on the Lord for salvation today. One receives the Holy Spirit at conversion or when he believes on the LORD at conversion. Speaking in tongues is one of those gifts of the Spirit that “passed away” (I Cor. 13:8).

Acts 28:8 Apostolic healing: “Father of Publius sick Paul prayed and laid hands on them and he was healed.”

Christian Leadership and Spiritual Gifts

Ananias laid hands on Saul at his conversion (Acts 9:12, 17):
“And a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight” Ananias was told to lay hands on Paul at his conversion.

I Timothy 4:14, “Neglect not the gift,” “That was given in grace to Timothy and to all believers at salvation which consisted of a God-designed, Spirit-empowered spiritual ability for the use of ministry (Rom. 12:4-8; I Cor. 12:4-12; I Pet. 4:10, 11).

“Timothy’s gift was (2 Tim. 1:6) leadership with special emphasis on preaching (2 Tim. 4:2), and teaching (vv. 6, 11, 13; 6:2). Timothy’s gift was identified by a prophecy from God (see note on 1:18) and apostolic confirmation (2 Tim. 1:6), probably when he joined Paul on the apostle’s second missionary journey (Acts 16:1-3), laying on of the hands of the eldership.

2 Tim. 1:6, “Laying on of my hands.” “Stir up,” means “to keep the flame alive” and “gift refers to the believer’s spiritual gift.” Paul may have “laid his hands upon Timothy” at the time of Timothy’s conversion.

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