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BUILDING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
SECTION FIVE
Laying on of Hands
LESSON TWELVE: Laying on of Hands
Scripture reading: Genesis 48.
We come flow to the fourth foundation stone listed in Hebrews 6:1-2. It is the doctrine of laying on of hands. As a subject, it is dealt with in many places in the Word of God, and it is easily seen that in the earliest experience of God's people, the laying on of hands was an accepted practice for the transmitting of Divine blessing. Insofar as New Testament life and experience are concerned the doctrine of the laying on of hands relates primarily to the receiving of the Holy Spirit. There is ample evidence of this fact contained in the book of Acts. The Bible teaches that the laying on of hands has to do with TRANSMITTING, TRANSFERRING, IMPARTING AND IDENTIFYING.
L THE OLD TESTAMENT TEACHING ABOUT "LAYING ON OF HANDS."
A. In Genesis 48 we read of Joseph bringing his two sons Ephraim and Manasseh to their grandfather Jacob, In order that he might bless them.
What did Jacob (Israel) do to the boys? vs. 14 ________________________________
It is apparent that Jacob placed his hands according to Divine direction and then proceeded to bless the two boys. We learn from this that DIVINE BLESSING IS TRANSMITTED THROUGH THE LAYING ON OF HANDS.
B. What were the Israelites to do with their
sacrificial offering?
Lev. 1:4 ; 3:2; 16:21
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This is not impartation but identification. In these verses we see the Israelite bringing his animal sacrifice to the door of the tabernacle where symbolically he transmitted to the animal his sin. Before the sacrificial animal was slain and offered the Israelite "put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering. " The promise was that, "it should be accepted for him to make atonement for him." By putting his hand on the head of the sacrificial animal the Israelite indicated the transference of his sin and his guilt to the victim. He was saying in effect, "This animal now takes my place. Its life is my life. I acknowledge that my sin is worthy of death, but I escape death and experience forgiveness because of the SACRIFICE OF ANOTHER."
This truth is further amplified in the sacrificial ceremony of the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16). This was a day of national repentance when Aaron, the High Priest, representing the people was to "lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, PUTTING THEM UPON THE HEAD OF THE GOAT..." Here we see sins transferred and guilt transmitted. All of this is deeply significant and points forward to the Lord Jesus Christ, God's Lamb, who bears away the sin of the world. The Old Testament is God's picture book
C. The Levites were ordained l)y God to "do
the service of the tabernacle of the congregation. What was to take place in order to
prepare them to perform their service in the tabernacle?
Numbers 8:10 ______________________________________________________________
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The laying on of hands signified that the obligation to assist personally in the service of the sanctuary was transferred from the whole congregation to the Levites. Here again we note the principle of transference and identification symbolized and illustrated in the laying on of hands.
D. When it came time to appoint a successor to
Moses, God gave specific instructions. What did He say to do in
Numbers 27:18?
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God said in so doing that Moses would put some of his _______________________________ upon Joshua, vs. 20. Moses carried out this commandment of the Lord and we read of it in verses 22 and 23. "And Moses did as the Lord commanded him: and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and BEFORE ______________________and_____________________and gave him a charge, as the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses."
What was the result? Deut 34:9 ______________________________________________________________
There were two purposes here accomplished through this laying on of hands. First, Moses transmitted to Joshua a measure of the anointing, the spiritual wisdom, and power which he himself had received from the Lord. Second, Moses publicly acknowledged and singled out Joshua before the entire congregation of Israel. Through the laying on of hands, he appointed Joshua as the leader to succeed him.
II. THE NEW TESTAMENT TEACHING ABOUT "LAYING ON OF HANDS"
A. The Gospels - Jesus in His earthly ministry.
1. In the following verses, why did Jesus
practice the "laying on of hands"?
Mark 6:5__________________________
Luke 4:40_________________________
Luke 13:13 _______________________
2. In Matt 19:13, 15, who did He lay His hands on?
______________________________________
For what reason? __________________________________________________
There is not the slightest indication that the Lord Jesus Christ ever sprinkled water on these children or "'baptized" them. We believe in laying hands on and dedicating infants to the Lord that the blessing of God might be upon them, but the Bible does not teach infant baptism.
3. What did Jesus commission His disciples to do
(among other things)?
Mark
16:18c_________________________________________________________
This is part of the Great Commission, the final Instructions the Lord gave to His people.
B The Acts
1. By what were many signs and wonders wrought? Acts 5:12 ______________________________
2. Read Acts 6:1-6. What accompanied prayer in the appointing of these men as deacons? _______________________
3. When Peter and John laid hands on believers, what took place? Acts 8:14-17 _________________________
4. What two things happened when Ananias placed
his hands on Saul (Paul)? Acts 9:17
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5. Why were hands laid on Barnabas and Saul?
Acts 13:2, 3
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6. What did God grant to be done by the hands of Paul and Barnabas?
Acts 14:3 _________________________________________
7. What happened when Paul laid his hands on these believers?
Acts 19:6 ______________________________
8. How did God use Paul's hands?
Acts 19:11 ______________________________________________
9. What happened when Paul laid his hands on a sick man?
Acts 28:8 ________________________________
C. The Epistles
(I Tim 4:14) "Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the LAYING ON OF THE HANDS OF THE PRESBYTERY."
This relates to the ORDAINING of ministers. (I Tim 5:22) "LAY HANDS SUDDENLY ON NO MAN"
D. The Scriptures are quite clear as to the people who are to participate in this holy ministry. According to the following verses, who should lay on hands?
1. Mark 16:17. 18 __________________________________________________________
Some "believers" BELIEVE more than others. The Bible speaks of degrees of faith: little faith, great faith, no faith. True faith is based on the Word of God. Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ. (Rom. 10:17)
2. Acts 8:18 ___________________________________________________
Acts 9:10, 17________________________________________________
Notice the following qualifications of Ananias the disciple. Even though he was not an apostle he was a yielded servant of the Lord:
He was ready.
Acts
9:10
He was responsive. Acts 9:10
He was reliable.
Acts 9:10
He was righteous. Acts 22:12
He was reverent. Acts
22:12
He was respected. Acts 22:12
3. I Tim 4:14
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II Tim 1:6
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A high and holy standard is set for presbyters or elders. ( cf. I Tim. 2:1 - 7; Titus 1:6-9) One should always be very, very cautious as to who seeks to minister to him in the laying on of hands. The individual must be righteous in the sight of God and respected in the eyes of men