Laying on of Hands

Acts 6:6 (KJV 1900)

6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

Intro.

Such a special occasion of growth for our church.

We often have this opportunity.

Much confusion often surrounds these outward signs which the New Testament has very little to say.

Little to say but that doesn’t take away from our understanding or the meaning.

Background on laying on of hands.

Various uses we find both positive and negative senses of “the laying on of hands,” as well as “general” (everyday) or “special” (ceremonial).

First mention doesn’t help much in this case.

Genesis 22:12 (KJV 1900)

12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.

Story of trying to trick Zack at a sports camp. Zack was willing to help out.

Both these men have in various ways.

In the transitional book of Acts we see a laying on of hands that signify the coming of the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:17 “17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.”

We know that is not the case today.

We believe they are already indwell by the Holy Spirit.

a) At the point of salvation. b) Now daily yielding their lives for His service.

Acts 6:3 (KJV 1900)

3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

In the New Testament Epistles, as we begin to see what is normative in the church today.

All the way back in Numbers 27:18 we see this ceremonial type of laying on of hands as we have tonight. Moses lays on on Joshua and he is set aside for a work.

We see it in Acts 6 with Deacons and in Acts 13 with Barnabas and Paul.

This is a formal commission performed in public, with the collective request for God’s blessing on it.

Commission to a work.

Acts 6:3 whom we may appoint over this business.

We are reminded once again saying we believe the members of this church matter to us because they matter God!

We are saying that the work we are doing is for God and being that it is for Him those who do the work should be people of a good report.

We are saying that the ministry of the Word is vitally important to us so we are taking measures to protect this ministry!