Laying on of hands.

[Jason]

In Acts 8 we find the apostles laying hands on people before they receive the Spirit.

Saul and Barnabas had hands laid on them before they left to go evangelize the Gentiles.

Timothy had hands laid on him by the elders.

Hebrews 6 speaks of it as doctrine.

What is the common thread here?

What do you believe is significant about this?

Do you believe that the laying on of hands should be practiced today in any fashion? If so, what and why?

 

[JRKH]

I do and it is.  In the Catholic Church the laying on of hands is practiced regularly at the Sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Orders and the anointing of the sick.

 

It is done because Christ did it - He laid hands upon and breathed upon the Apostles and said "receive the Holy Spirit.  The apostles likewise did so to others who became their successors and so on down through the centuries to today.  It is the way to pass on that which the Church received from the Lord Himself. 

 

Peace

James

[Scott]

Overall, the laying on of hands communicates important aspects such as impartation to a person and identification with a person. I do believe gifts/ministries can be imparted and recognised through the laying on of hands. It wasn't just for apostles in the first century.

[Marv]

Were you under the impression that it is not being practiced?

[Daniel]

I've done it as I've prayed for/over others, and I've had it done to me.  But I don't think there is anything super significant about the practice.  It doesn't make God hear your prayers any better.

[Scott]

I'd probably say many, if not most, Christians partake of the practice, but they are not really sure what it all entails other than it is a biblical practice. God, of course, can do things quite outside our understanding. That's the glory of it all. But, if such a practice were biblical, I'd probably want to have some inkling of what it's all about and enter into prayer for others with that action in the confidence of what God would desire to do in such. But, of course, I agree there is no magic involved. Water baptism without faith and repentance simply gets a person wet. There is no magic in anointing with oil by elders (and God heals even without oil or when those who are not elders anoint with oil and pray). So I think we need to walk with God, listen, and step out in faith as we hear Him.

Daniel said:

I've done it as I've prayed for/over others, and I've had it done to me.  But I don't think there is anything super significant about the practice.  It doesn't make God hear your prayers any better.

[Jason]

No.

Just curious about people's viewpoints.

Marv said:

Were you under the impression that it is not being practiced?

[Jason]

Anyone care to tell me in what context, and how, it is practiced where you are?

[Jason]

Do you think the "right hand of fellowship" in Galatians 2 may have been the laying on of hands by the apostles?

ScottL said:

I'd probably say many, if not most, Christians partake of the practice, but they are not really sure what it all entails other than it is a biblical practice. God, of course, can do things quite outside our understanding. That's the glory of it all. But, if such a practice were biblical, I'd probably want to have some inkling of what it's all about and enter into prayer for others with that action in the confidence of what God would desire to do in such. But, of course, I agree there is no magic involved. Water baptism without faith and repentance simply gets a person wet. There is no magic in anointing with oil by elders (and God heals even without oil or when those who are not elders anoint with oil and pray). So I think we need to walk with God, listen, and step out in faith as we hear Him.

Daniel said:

I've done it as I've prayed for/over others, and I've had it done to me.  But I don't think there is anything super significant about the practice.  It doesn't make God hear your prayers any better.

[JRKH]

The three primary areas where I have seen the use of the laying on of hands is in:

Confirmation - At the sacrament of Confirmation the Bishop lays hands upon, and breathes upon, the head of the one being confirmed.  By this action the Bishop "confers" the Holy Spirit to the recipient.

Ordinations -The Bishop lays hands upon those becoming deacons as well as on those becoming priests.  This is an official sign of passing on ministerial authority.

Blessing of the Sick - by the priest in asking for healing. 

 

peace

James

 

 

 

Jason said:

Anyone care to tell me in what context, and how, it is practiced where you are?