It is practiced by priests (O.T.), apostles, bishops & deacons (N.T.).
It is used to transmit spiritual power, authority and grace by the supernatural flow of Holy Spirit.
It's purpose is to invoke blessings, to confer authority and to impart spiritual gifts and healing.
From my long experience within charismatic circles...
I would advise caution & discernment.
What I have observed is an overuse, overreach and honestly...
some abuse of personal space, discretion & privacy.
Acts 8:14-17 & Acts 2:38 both describe examples of receiving Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands.
Acts 10:44-46, Acts 2:38 & Galations 3:2 describe receiving Holy Spirit through faith, without anyone's direct touch.
This tells me that the focus must be placed upon the flow, the purity and the directive of Holy Spirit.
The Lord is The Potter and His hands alone must mold the clay. He does administer Holy Spirit through the hands of His chosen, sanctified &. anointed servants as well.
How do we confirm that someone is chosen to administer this sacrament? We are advised as believers to "test the spirits" and to search the scriptures.
His servants must be sanctified and certified by Holy Spirit's commission.
Laying on of hands can literally release The River of God...when done in God's order.
It is a powerful blessing of Presbytery.
What I see, however, is Pastor's delegating large groups of 'trained' yet sometimes unqualified 'church members' to pray for people at the end of services as a catch all.
Its a diluted replacement for true discipleship...
which clearly must accompany this sacred act.
I go into detail within my book Zamiyr about the powerful ✨️ connection between The River & laying on of hands but don't have space to do so here.
I have personally experienced so much over use and abuse within the modern day Charismatic & Pentecostal churches.
And sometimes I have experienced unclean & unrighteous transfers...even by well meaning people.
The problem being...
this act was assigned to be a transfer of Holy Spirit attributes and character.
It is NOT for transferring man's carnal based charisma. It's not a one size fits all or cure-all.
If the person who is applying or administering the 'laying on of hands' is compromised or a complete stranger then it begs the question...
What are they transferring?
There should be NO inappropriate touching,
NO pushing, physical or psychological force should ever accompany this act.
The receiver, believer or seeker should absolutely know...
"This is sourced in Holy Spirit"
Or..."This is God!".
There should be NO room for doubt in the authenticity & outcome.
Touching can be gently applied to head or top of shoulder if welcomed by the individual seeking prayer.
Some people have 'no-touch' boundaries for good reason. Respect must be acknowledged for these boundaries.
More often than not I have observed misuse of this practice of 'laying on of hands'. Sad to say.
Committed relationships, follow up mentoring and accountability are often missing from these encounters.
Use your own discernment and intuition before allowing anyone to lay hands on you.
On the other hand, this act is a true and remarkable part of a Christ-blessed, pure doctrine within Christianity.
When used purely and righteously in accordance with scriptural boundaries-
this can be the most wonderful, exhilarating, life-giving blessing!
It can, and should be, miraculously restorative and affirmative to your call and your health!
This marvelous blessing... I too have experienced on many, many occasions. I am so grateful for this most generous gift and Spirit-bond from Father God.
There is nothing so wonderfully affirmative as a true 'laying on of hands' from a true Christian source.
Perhaps this is why it has come under such attack by the enemy of our souls. And perhaps this is why so many charlatans misuse this gift to control & influence. This is done at peril to their own souls.
All comes back to knowing the Word of God and searching the scriptures as did the Bereans. All comes back, as well, to learning the ways of Holy Spirit.
It is the individual believer's responsibilty to discern and to set appropriate boundaries as well as the leader.
These boundaries must be respected by Christian leaders and followers.
And this gift & doctrine must always be sanctioned, promoted and empowered by Holy Spirit.
One indication it is initiated by Holy Spirit-
IS
your own level of comfort to receive. Holy Spirit should be tangibly present to soothe and enable the process.
Holy Spirit is known as The Comforter. Many experience such a warmth and comfort...they just know it's right.
Scripture indicates 'laying on of hands' by bishop, elder or deacon because they are known & trusted. Their requirements for godly lifestyle sets the level of trustworthiness.
In Mark 16, however, The Lord tells all His followers that 'laying on of hands' for healing is a sign which will accompany all true disciples of Christ.
Those followers weren't necessarily deacons or elders...they were present and walking closely with Jesus. He transferred this anointing directly to them.
Before He left them with Holy Spirit...He told them...
My words have made you clean. John 15:3-5
This refers to a washing of the water of The Word.
Ephesians 5:26
Whomever practices this act & teaches this doctrine (laying on of hands)...they must have clean hands!
I wash my hands in (His) innocence and go about your altar, Lord.
Psalm 26:6
Here is a picture in the Psalms of David, depicting a priest offering the sacrifice and moving around to the laver to wash his hands.
Meaning- a cleansing of both the blood of The Lamb and ongoing washing of the water of The Word is required.
Those who lay hands upon a person must have clean hands- no mixture or carnal compromise.
The entire focus of this act is to be focused on Christ's redemptive power released through Holy Spirit.
Here are some New & Old Testament scriptures for your consideration.
Don't allow fear to rob you of a legitimate blessing...
However, don't be spiritually gullible or scripturally uneducated either.
In closing, understand that this wonder of 'laying on of hands' also indicates the authority of godly wholesome Covenantal relationship.
The relationship within the New Testament believers was one of loving, dedicated, life-long committment. It was one of earned and established trust.
The disciples spent a good deal of 3 years in a real walking talking personal relationship with Jesus. He commissioned them out of this personal relationship.
Laying on of hands and baptism are both proof and evidence of personal intimate experience with Jesus established and amplified through Holy Spirit.
There are 5 records of Jesus' Commission for the believer in Christ. Laying on of hands (for healing) is mentioned in one of the 5.
I believe this is a precious part of His comission which should be grounded in relationship; rather than an assembly line production as is practiced in so many charismatic churches.
This sacred act is our holy bond, we must not continue to treat it with the disrespect and common disregard that has been occurring!
Our bond must be The blood of The Lamb and the Living Water of The Holy Spirit.
Jesus clearly intended this act to fortify and legitimize our witness!
He clearly confirmed this Old Testament act to commission and to heal.
It is clearly intended as a relational bond.
Let us give honor where honor is due.
Luke 4:40-
Jesus heals the sick
James 5:14-
Elders anoint sick with oil
1 Timothy 5:22-
Do not be hasty to lay hands
Acts 6:6-
Apostles lay hands on those who serve
Hebrews 6:2-
Foundational doctrines
Jeremiah 17:14-
It is God who saves & heals
Jeremiah 30: 17-
It is God who restores
1 Samuel 26-
Warning, Touch not mine anointed
5 Jesus Commissions-
Matthew 28:18-20
☆Mark 16:15-18
Luke 24:46-48
John 20:19-23
Acts 1:7-8
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