What Does the Laying on of Hands Symbolize?

Summary

Summary prepared by Acts 2:38 Life from the transcript below — the preacher’s words follow in full.

The question — and the symbol: God laying his hands on the person

• The question posed (in the host's frame): the laying on of hands stands in Hebrews 6, as the host notes, among the basic teachings. And if somebody visits a church service like ours, they are likely to see the pastor, and/or other church leaders, lay their hands on people and pray for them. What is going on, when hands are laid on people as they pray? His answer: when you study the laying on of hands in Scripture, you start with the Old Testament. The laying on of hands is highly symbolic. The human being doesn't really have any power — but it represents God laying his hands on the person. So it's a focusing of our faith, for a specific work of God at that time. So in the Old Testament, hands were typically laid on people when they were being ordained as a priest, or ordained for other purposes — maybe a prophet, or a king. There will be the anointing with oil — which, oil is symbolic of the Spirit. The laying on of hands also representing God's intervention.

The New Testament range: ordination, healing, receiving the Spirit

• So what we see then is: the laying on of hands represents — in the New Testament, it can be used to represent healing; receiving the Holy Spirit; it can be used for ordination to various types: being chosen, as what seems to be in Acts chapter 6, deacons; or later, in the New Testament Epistles, ordination for ministry — various forms of ministry. So the common thread is: it's a symbolism, representing that God is laying his hands upon a person, for a particular purpose. And of course that operates by faith — but with the visible use of the laying on of hands. And then sometimes, also for healing: the anointing with oil. Then it makes it easy for we human beings to focus our faith, at that particular moment — instead of a generic faith: yes, I believe God is going to help me, or God's going to bless me. We can say: right now, I'm believing that God is going to bless me, for this particular work.
• I believe in Hebrews 6, the laying on of hands is listed as one of the key doctrines of the church — because it's representing the life of the Spirit in the church. So: from church government — the laying on of hands for ordination — to the laying on of hands for healing. You see that in Mark 16:18: they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. James 5:14: the elders of the church shall lay hands on the sick, anoint with oil, and pray for their recovery. And so we find this as a symbolic gesture that helps to focus faith.

Scriptures: Acts 6; Hebrews 6; Mark 16:18; James 5:14

In practice: the seeker, repentance, and the transition to worship

• So if someone is not familiar with the practice, I think it's important to explain it. So many times, when people come up to pray, and they're seeking God — maybe they're wanting to receive the Holy Ghost — then I would explain to them, as a pastor or leader in the church. I would say: now, we explain: you must repent of your sins — that's first. Then you open your heart, in faith. Now, once you've repented of your sins, you've surrendered everything to God — you're ready to receive. Then you transition from repentance to worship, to praise, to expressing your faith, speaking it out. Maybe you'll raise your hands to God. When we see that you're ready, we're going to lay hands on you, as the Bible says. Now, some people in the Bible received the Holy Ghost without the laying on of hands — so it's not essential. But many times, when a person came to the leaders, wanting to receive the Holy Ghost, then the leaders would lay hands on them. And so, in this example that I'm using, someone is seeking the Holy Ghost: I will say, once you've repented, once you've surrendered to God — now begin to worship. Change from seeking repentance and forgiveness, to seeking the Holy Spirit — to worship and praise. And when I see that you're doing that — when you're raising your hands, you're calling out praises — I will lay hands on you, as a symbol that God is laying his hands on you. And when you feel the laying on of hands — that's in accordance to the Bible — you can expect that God will lay his hands. If you'll believe that, at that moment, you will receive the Holy Ghost. And so it becomes a way of focusing faith, to receive. So that could be for blessings — but most commonly in the New Testament, we see it's for healing, and for receiving the Holy Ghost. And when it's taught and explained, then it's very effective in helping people to have faith, at that time, to actually receive.

Proper use: authority on the head, and the ministry of the saints

• Now, I will add a few things, in the context of the church service. I think the laying on of a hand should be reserved for those who are identified as ministers, or those leaders who are approved by the ministers. Because if it's just done indiscriminately, it loses its significance. There is something about the leadership of the church — the people who have been chosen by God, specifically, to communicate the gospel, and to pray. When that's used as a symbol of authority — if you think about it: in our culture, when would we ever lay hands on somebody's head? We wouldn't do that — unless it's maybe a child: I might pat the little boy on the head. But that's because I'm in a superior relationship; that's just a little kid. So, since it represents authority, we should be careful not to be indiscriminate. Now, Mark 16, which I mentioned, it does say: these signs shall follow them that believe — they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So I do believe there's a ministry of the saints. So in the congregation, you may feel led — and if it's appropriate — to hold someone's hand, or put your hand on their shoulder, or put your hand on their arm. Well, that's a non-authoritative way. So I think that could still be the laying on of hands. That wouldn't be restricted to a preacher, or a leader, or someone designated as such by the pastor, to do the laying on of hands. But I think that's the best of both worlds. So: if everybody's going around laying hands on the heads of strangers, that's going to inhibit the work — because, who are you, to have authority over me? And what are you doing this for? And if it's indiscriminate, it loses that special quality of: here's a point to focus your faith. But if the leadership does it properly, then it is recognizing authority, and it is focusing faith. But to broaden it: every believer can intercede; every believer is a priest unto God. Then the non-authoritative laying on of hands — of the arm, or the shoulder, or the hand — can still communicate: I'm believing with you; let's have faith, for right here, right now. And certainly, any believer: if you're witnessing to someone, if you're in someone's home, or someone's in your home, and you want to pray — well, then there, the laying on of hands is not restricted. These signs shall follow — it's not 'the preachers'; it's: these signs follow believers. So there is a role for the laying on of hands. But it should be used purposefully, intentionally, not indiscriminately. And when used properly, it can become a great tool, for helping people to focus their faith, to receive the promises of God.

Scripture index: Acts 6; Hebrews 6; Mark 16:18; James 5:14.