The Practice of Laying on of Hands
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Lesson Objective
To explore and understand the five major biblical purposes for the laying on of hands, along with the spiritual responsibility and guidelines involved in practicing this sacred act.
Introduction
The laying on of hands is a significant biblical practice with spiritual implications.
The laying on of hands is one of the foundational principles of the doctrine of Christ (Hebrews 6:1-2).
1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
While some may view it as symbolic or traditional, Scripture shows that it is a channel through which God works, whether to bless, heal, anoint, or impart gifts.
1. Biblical Purposes of Laying On of Hands
1. Biblical Purposes of Laying On of Hands
Blessing - Invoking God's favor and goodness upon an individual.
Scriptural Examples:
Jesus blessed the children by laying His hands on them (Matthew 19:13–15; Mark 10:13–16).
13 Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them.
14 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.
15 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
16 And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.
Jacob blessed Ephraim and Manasseh, imparting the birthright (Genesis 48:14–16; cf. Hebrews 11:20–21).
14 Then Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands knowingly, for Manasseh was the firstborn.
15 And he blessed Joseph, and said: “God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, The God who has fed me all my life long to this day,
16 The Angel who has redeemed me from all evil, Bless the lads; Let my name be named upon them, And the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; And let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.”
Isaac blessed Jacob (Genesis 27:18–29).
Application:
Parents, saints, and ministers can speak God’s blessing over others, especially children, with faith.
Discussion Question:
Why is it important to speak blessings over others, especially the next generation?
Leadership and Ordination- Recognizing, commissioning, and affirming individuals for spiritual or administrative leadership.
Scriptural Examples:
Joshua was ordained by Moses through laying on of hands (Numbers 27:18–23; Deuteronomy 34:9).
18 And the Lord said to Moses: “Take Joshua the son of Nun with you, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him;
19 set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation, and inaugurate him in their sight.
20 And you shall give some of your authority to him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.
21 He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire before the Lord for him by the judgment of the Urim. At his word they shall go out, and at his word they shall come in, he and all the children of Israel with him—all the congregation.”
22 So Moses did as the Lord commanded him. He took Joshua and set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation.
23 And he laid his hands on him and inaugurated him, just as the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses.
Levites were appointed with hands laid upon them by Israel (Numbers 8:1–22).
9 And you shall bring the Levites before the tabernacle of meeting, and you shall gather together the whole congregation of the children of Israel.
10 So you shall bring the Levites before the Lord and the children of Israel shall lay their hands on the Levites;
Church elders laid hands on Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:1–4).
1 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.
4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.
Seven deacons were chosen and had hands laid on them (Acts 6:1–7).
5 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,
6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.
Application:
Leadership roles in the church should be affirmed by both God’s call and the approval of the church body through spiritual leaders.
Discussion Question:
How does laying on of hands affirm both divine and church body approval for leadership?
Receiving the Holy Ghost/Spirit- An act of faith to encourage the seeker in receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
The one seeking must have faith in God, repentant of sin. People can receive the Holy Spirit prior to being baptized but must then submit to water baptism (Acts 10:44-48). However, Faith, Repentance, Water Baptism and receiving the Holy Spirit are essential elements of a new birth (John 3).
Scriptural Examples:
Samaritans received the Holy Spirit through Peter and John’s prayer and laying on of hands (Acts 8:14–25).
14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them,
15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Ananias laid hands on Saul (Paul) to receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17–18).
17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.
The Ephesian believers received the Holy Spirit when Paul’s hands were laid upon them (Acts 19:1–6).
1 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples
2 he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”
3 And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.”
4 Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.”
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
Clarification:
Laying on of hands is not essential for Spirit baptism, but it is scriptural and often helpful.
Application:
When you pray with someone, you ought to lay hands on them in faith, knowing God gives the Spirit. Do not take glory—He alone baptizes with the Holy Ghost.
Discussion Question:
What is the role of faith and surrender in receiving the Holy Ghost?
Healing - A scriptural method used by believers and ministers to ask God to heal the sick.
Scriptural Guidelines:
Believers: Can lay hands on the sick (Mark 16:18).
18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Ministers: Should anoint with oil and pray in faith (James 5:14–15).
14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
Biblical Examples:
Jesus healed by laying on of hands (Luke 4:40; Luke 13:11–13; Matthew 8:14–15).
40 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.
Peter healed the lame man with a touch (Acts 3:1–16).
1 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple;
3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms.
4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.”
5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.
6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”
7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
God healed through Paul with the laying on of hands (Acts 28:8; 19:11–12).
8 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.
11 Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul,
12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them.
Application:
Healing comes from God, not from human hands. Obedience and faith are key.
I would have it that every time we as a church gather during our alter service following the preaching, once you have sought the Lord for yourself that you would turn and pray with someone else, laying hands on them and praying faith.
We need bold believers!
Ministry Ordination - A sacred act of commissioning someone into the ministry, affirming their divine and human calling.
Scriptural Examples:
Timothy received ordination through the laying on of hands and prophecy (1 Timothy 1:18; 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:1–4).
14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.
Paul and Barnabas were sent by the church and the Spirit (Acts 13:1–4).
1 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.
4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.
Application:
You need both divine calling and human confirmation.
Faithfulness and character must precede ordination.
Discussion Question:
What responsibilities come with receiving the laying on of hands for ministry?
2. Spiritual Guidelines
2. Spiritual Guidelines
Right living .
Be holy and in right standing with God (Acts 3:6, Acts 19:13–17).
13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.”
14 Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so.
15 And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”
16 Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
17 This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
Right motives.
Simon desired to lay hands with a wrong heart and was rebuked (Acts 8:18–23).
18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,
19 saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!
21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God.
22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.
23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”
God alone gets the glory. We are vessels (Acts 3:12,16).
12 So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?
16 And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
Faith Is Required
Believe that God will act when you lay hands on someone (James 5:14–15; Hebrews 11:20–21).
14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.
3. Practical Guidelines
3. Practical Guidelines
Show Discretion - Do not rush upon someone who is praying and has their own eyes closed, it’s a good way to startle them.
Be respectful and wise (especially with the opposite sex).
Lay hands upon the head, shoulder, upper back…no back massages. Lay people men ought to pray with men, and women ought to pray with women unless directed to do so.
Avoid rough handling or disorderly conduct.
Follow pastoral guidance and spiritual discernment.
Conclusion
The laying on of hands is a sacred, scriptural act that God uses to bless, heal, impart, and commission. It is not about personal power or performance but about being a willing and consecrated vessel. Whether minister or saint, we must always approach this with reverence, wisdom, and faith.
Key Takeaway: The laying on of hands is a divine privilege that carries human responsibility.
Challenge
Challenge
Reflect - How God may want to use you in prayer for others.
Pray with someone this week, laying hands upon them, asking God to bless, heal, or empower them.
If the person is seeking being filled with the Holy Spirit, pray with faith…
Commit to grow in discernment and humility as a vessel that God works through.
Practice by praying with someone, laying hands upon them and praying as the Lord leads.
