The Laying On of Hands

[newnature]

Acts chapter 6, the laying of hands, it’s more or less an identification, the apostles identify with these people who are selected. They are in agreement with their selection, endorsing these particular men. Eventually, especially with Paul, you’re going to see this phrase used as a means of transmitting the power of the Holy Spirit and some of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. You’ll see this later in the book of Acts, where Paul or somebody else will lay their hands on someone and they’ll speak in tongues or they’ll be supernaturally enabled to do this or that. The concept morphs a little bit as it keeps going, it’s an endorsement, it’s a selection, it’s a choosing, but it’s this imparting of the power that was received in Acts chapter 2.

The laying on of hands has a specific context and a specific purpose, it’s not so that you can sort of run up and down the aisles of your church and some other things we associate with the modern charismatic movement. The specific context of the laying on of hands was enablement, to articulate the gospel and to spread this new thing, that Jesus of Nazareth, this guy actually came, was God incarnate and this is what he did. He died and he rose again and this is why it was done, to carve out the people of God from all nations. There was a specific context to this that once you get into Gentile territory and specifically with Paul, as he leaves the immediate Jewish geographical context, when he starts going out into the Gentile nations and doing his ministry, this sort of thing connects him back to what had gone on in Acts chapter 2.

 

[Bill]

Acts chapter 6, the laying of hands, it’s more or less an identification, the apostles identify with these people who are selected. They are in agreement with their selection, endorsing these particular men. Eventually, especially with Paul, you’re going to see this phrase used as a means of transmitting the power of the Holy Spirit and some of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. You’ll see this later in the book of Acts, where Paul or somebody else will lay their hands on someone and they’ll speak in tongues or they’ll be supernaturally enabled to do this or that. The concept morphs a little bit as it keeps going, it’s an endorsement, it’s a selection, it’s a choosing, but it’s this imparting of the power that was received in Acts chapter 2.

The laying on of hands has a specific context and a specific purpose, it’s not so that you can sort of run up and down the aisles of your church and some other things we associate with the modern charismatic movement. The specific context of the laying on of hands was enablement, to articulate the gospel and to spread this new thing, that Jesus of Nazareth, this guy actually came, was God incarnate and this is what he did. He died and he rose again and this is why it was done, to carve out the people of God from all nations. There was a specific context to this that once you get into Gentile territory and specifically with Paul, as he leaves the immediate Jewish geographical context, when he starts going out into the Gentile nations and doing his ministry, this sort of thing connects him back to what had gone on in Acts chapter 2.

Hey Jesus fill us with his love and wisdom.

The laying on of hands should not be looked upon as something superficial or used without respect.

The laying on of hands is giving a blessing from God to another person whether in the form of healing or receiving the gift of the spirit or something else but always in the form of a blessing.

 

[Brother Del]

"Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure."
Timothy 5:22

 

[B-A-C]

Acts 8:14–17​

• After Philip preached in Samaria, many believed and were baptized, but they had not yet received the Holy Spirit.
• Peter and John came from Jerusalem, laid hands on them, and then they received the Holy Spirit.

---

Acts 19:1–6​

• Paul meets disciples in Ephesus who had only received John’s baptism.
• After baptizing them in the name of Jesus, Paul laid his hands on them, and the Holy Spirit came upon them; they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

---

Acts 9:17​

• Ananias lays hands on Saul (later Paul) after his conversion:
  • Purpose: to restore his sight and that he might be filled with the Holy Spirit.

---

Hebrews 6:1–2​

• Mentions “the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead” as foundational teachings.

---

Acts 6:6​

• The apostles laid hands on the seven chosen men (including Stephen) to appoint them for ministry.
• While this is more about commissioning, it often connects to empowerment by the Spirit.

 

[Gothedral]

"Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure."
Timothy 5:22

(For my sake before The Lord) I rebuke the lying spirit in the Holy name of Jesus Christ the Truth and our Redeemer!
Objection: Out of context.
Keyword: suddenly. Get thee hence.

(KJV) 1st Timothy, chapter 5:

19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

*The 22nd verse pertains to assault.
Verse 19 is this very post.
Verse 20 is judgement.
Verse 21 is God's caveat.
Verse 22, nor any particle of The Word will be mocked.

Correct me if I am wrong, anyone.

 

[Brother Del]

(For my sake before The Lord) I rebuke the lying spirit in the Holy name of Jesus Christ the Truth and our Redeemer!
Objection: Out of context.

Correct me if I am wrong, anyone.

I seldom find a use for commentaries, but I thought to myself, speaking from "a lying spirit", that's certainly not a good thing to be accused of, perhaps I should check my understanding of this passage.

It would appear that there are quite a few much more learned scholars than myself who disagree with you. For your edification, and brevity, I have posted a few of their comments here.

First, the "laying on of hands" means Ordination.
Calvin

Do not hastily appoint any person to the sacred ministry: let the person be well proved before he receives...
Clarke

That is, ordain (1Ti 4:14; 2Ti 1:6; Tit 1:5). The connection is with 1Ti 5:19. The way to guard against scandals occurring in the case of presbyters is, be cautious as to the character of the candidate before ordaining him...
Jameson

Do thou suddenly set no man apart to any ecclesiastical employment. Laying on of hands was but an external ceremony used in blessing, Genesis 48:14,15, and in the conferring of power upon persons. Numbers 27:18 Deu 34:9. In the New Testament, we find this rite used: in prayer upon healing the sick, Mark 16:18 Acts 28:8; in blessing, Mark 10:16; in conferring the gifts of the Holy Ghost, Acts 19:6; in ordination, or setting persons apart to some ecclesiastical employment, 1 Timothy 4:14 Acts 6:6; and being so used, it is sometimes put for the whole action. This the apostle forbids Timothy to do suddenly, that is, without a first proof of the person’s fitness for his work, 1 Timothy 3:10, both with respect to his knowledge, and to his holiness of conversation.

Neither be partaker of other men’s sins: this participation of other men’s sin ought to be taken heed of in the whole course of our conversation, but it seemeth here to be especially forbidden with reference to what was before spoken of, viz. the setting men apart for or putting them into any ecclesiastical employment; he who puts into the ministry any erroneous or ignorant persons, or any persons of a lewd conversation, makes himself guilty of all the harm they do, if he hath not first taken a due and reasonable proof of them, but hath laid hands upon them suddenly.
Poole

The ancient commentators—Chrys., Theod., Theoph., Oecumen.—refer χεῖρας ἐπιτίθει to hasty ordinations; and in support of this, the generally adopted view, it must be granted that ἐπίθεσις χειρῶν undoubtedly refers to ordination in 1 Timothy 4:14, 2 Timothy 1:6. If we assume the same reference here, the intention of the warning would be that Timothy will best avoid clerical scandals by being cautious at the outset as to the character of those whom he ordains. The clause in 1 Timothy 3:10, καὶ οὗτοι δὲ δοκιμαζέσθωσαν πρῶτον, would, in this case, have the same reference; and we should explain ἁμαρτίαι ἀλλότριαι as possible future sins, for the commission of which a man’s advancement may give him facilities, and responsibility for which attaches, in various degrees of blameworthiness, to those who have rendered it possible for him to commit them.
Expositor's Greek NT

These are only a few. I would have given more citations from some of the more advanced lexicons but I neither know you or your level of education.

"Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren."

Perhaps you are young, or young in the Lord, I am neither of these things. At any rate, I apologize for quoting a scripture out of context, it seems to have caused you much discontent.

"A lying Spirit"?

Perish the thought.

I do appreciate your zeal.
Romans 10:1-3

 

[Bill]

"Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure."
Timothy 5:22

And what does this mean exactly to you?

 

[Bill]

I seldom find a use for commentaries, but I thought to myself, speaking from "a lying spirit", that's certainly not a good thing to be accused of, perhaps I should check my understanding of this passage.

It would appear that there are quite a few much more learned scholars than myself who disagree with you. For your edification, and brevity, I have posted a few of their comments here.

First, the "laying on of hands" means Ordination.
Calvin

Do not hastily appoint any person to the sacred ministry: let the person be well proved before he receives...
Clarke

That is, ordain (1Ti 4:14; 2Ti 1:6; Tit 1:5). The connection is with 1Ti 5:19. The way to guard against scandals occurring in the case of presbyters is, be cautious as to the character of the candidate before ordaining him...
Jameson

Do thou suddenly set no man apart to any ecclesiastical employment. Laying on of hands was but an external ceremony used in blessing, Genesis 48:14,15, and in the conferring of power upon persons. Numbers 27:18 Deu 34:9. In the New Testament, we find this rite used: in prayer upon healing the sick, Mark 16:18 Acts 28:8; in blessing, Mark 10:16; in conferring the gifts of the Holy Ghost, Acts 19:6; in ordination, or setting persons apart to some ecclesiastical employment, 1 Timothy 4:14 Acts 6:6; and being so used, it is sometimes put for the whole action. This the apostle forbids Timothy to do suddenly, that is, without a first proof of the person’s fitness for his work, 1 Timothy 3:10, both with respect to his knowledge, and to his holiness of conversation.

Neither be partaker of other men’s sins: this participation of other men’s sin ought to be taken heed of in the whole course of our conversation, but it seemeth here to be especially forbidden with reference to what was before spoken of, viz. the setting men apart for or putting them into any ecclesiastical employment; he who puts into the ministry any erroneous or ignorant persons, or any persons of a lewd conversation, makes himself guilty of all the harm they do, if he hath not first taken a due and reasonable proof of them, but hath laid hands upon them suddenly.
Poole

The ancient commentators—Chrys., Theod., Theoph., Oecumen.—refer χεῖρας ἐπιτίθει to hasty ordinations; and in support of this, the generally adopted view, it must be granted that ἐπίθεσις χειρῶν undoubtedly refers to ordination in 1 Timothy 4:14, 2 Timothy 1:6. If we assume the same reference here, the intention of the warning would be that Timothy will best avoid clerical scandals by being cautious at the outset as to the character of those whom he ordains. The clause in 1 Timothy 3:10, καὶ οὗτοι δὲ δοκιμαζέσθωσαν πρῶτον, would, in this case, have the same reference; and we should explain ἁμαρτίαι ἀλλότριαι as possible future sins, for the commission of which a man’s advancement may give him facilities, and responsibility for which attaches, in various degrees of blameworthiness, to those who have rendered it possible for him to commit them.
Expositor's Greek NT

These are only a few. I would have given more citations from some of the more advanced lexicons but I neither know you or your level of education.

"Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren."

Perhaps you are young, or young in the Lord, I am neither of these things. At any rate, I apologize for quoting a scripture out of context, it seems to have caused you much discontent.

"A lying Spirit"?

Perish the thought.

I do appreciate your zeal.
Romans 10:1-3

May Jesus fill us with his love and wisdom

Even the eldest are still the youngest. As those who deem themselves to be the wisest are still the same as those who drink mother's milk before the Angels of the most high.

I never claim to be greater of wisdom or intelligence because I know the angels will be more than happy to tell me I know less than 1% of anything.

Jesus tells us to be holy for I am Holy. This is what we need to strive for versus all the other things

 

[Brother Del]

May Jesus fill us with his love and wisdom

Even the eldest are still the youngest. As those who deem themselves to be the wisest are still the same as those who drink mother's milk before the Angels of the most high.

I never claim to be greater of wisdom or intelligence because I know the angels will be more than happy to tell me I know less than 1% of anything.

Jesus tells us to be holy for I am Holy. This is what we need to strive for versus all the other things

Yes, Holy, in every sense of the word. There is nothing that sets a man apart from this world more than to daily take up his cross and follow Jesus. We could live a hundred lifetimes and never come close to fully understanding what this means.

Sadly, most will never even make the attempt to understand His cross, much less their own, in what passes for His church, and those who may pass His church a thousand times and never darken the door.

 

[newnature]

I seldom find a use for commentaries, but I thought to myself, speaking from "a lying spirit", that's certainly not a good thing to be accused of, perhaps I should check my understanding of this passage.

It would appear that there are quite a few much more learned scholars than myself who disagree with you. For your edification, and brevity, I have posted a few of their comments here.

First, the "laying on of hands" means Ordination.
Calvin

Do not hastily appoint any person to the sacred ministry: let the person be well proved before he receives...
Clarke

That is, ordain (1Ti 4:14; 2Ti 1:6; Tit 1:5). The connection is with 1Ti 5:19. The way to guard against scandals occurring in the case of presbyters is, be cautious as to the character of the candidate before ordaining him...
Jameson

Do thou suddenly set no man apart to any ecclesiastical employment. Laying on of hands was but an external ceremony used in blessing, Genesis 48:14,15, and in the conferring of power upon persons. Numbers 27:18 Deu 34:9. In the New Testament, we find this rite used: in prayer upon healing the sick, Mark 16:18 Acts 28:8; in blessing, Mark 10:16; in conferring the gifts of the Holy Ghost, Acts 19:6; in ordination, or setting persons apart to some ecclesiastical employment, 1 Timothy 4:14 Acts 6:6; and being so used, it is sometimes put for the whole action. This the apostle forbids Timothy to do suddenly, that is, without a first proof of the person’s fitness for his work, 1 Timothy 3:10, both with respect to his knowledge, and to his holiness of conversation.

Neither be partaker of other men’s sins: this participation of other men’s sin ought to be taken heed of in the whole course of our conversation, but it seemeth here to be especially forbidden with reference to what was before spoken of, viz. the setting men apart for or putting them into any ecclesiastical employment; he who puts into the ministry any erroneous or ignorant persons, or any persons of a lewd conversation, makes himself guilty of all the harm they do, if he hath not first taken a due and reasonable proof of them, but hath laid hands upon them suddenly.
Poole

The ancient commentators—Chrys., Theod., Theoph., Oecumen.—refer χεῖρας ἐπιτίθει to hasty ordinations; and in support of this, the generally adopted view, it must be granted that ἐπίθεσις χειρῶν undoubtedly refers to ordination in 1 Timothy 4:14, 2 Timothy 1:6. If we assume the same reference here, the intention of the warning would be that Timothy will best avoid clerical scandals by being cautious at the outset as to the character of those whom he ordains. The clause in 1 Timothy 3:10, καὶ οὗτοι δὲ δοκιμαζέσθωσαν πρῶτον, would, in this case, have the same reference; and we should explain ἁμαρτίαι ἀλλότριαι as possible future sins, for the commission of which a man’s advancement may give him facilities, and responsibility for which attaches, in various degrees of blameworthiness, to those who have rendered it possible for him to commit them.
Expositor's Greek NT

These are only a few. I would have given more citations from some of the more advanced lexicons but I neither know you or your level of education.

"Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren."

Perhaps you are young, or young in the Lord, I am neither of these things. At any rate, I apologize for quoting a scripture out of context, it seems to have caused you much discontent.

"A lying Spirit"?

Perish the thought.

I do appreciate your zeal.
Romans 10:1-3

Could Acts 13:2-3 be talking about what you said, thanks.

 

[Bill]

Yes, Holy, in every sense of the word. There is nothing that sets a man apart from this world more than to daily take up his cross and follow Jesus. We could live a hundred lifetimes and never come close to fully understanding what this means.

Sadly, most will never even make the attempt to understand His cross, much less their own, in what passes for His church, and those who may pass His church a thousand times and never darken the door.

I find that those people who do not strive to understand rather they just pray, read the scripture, and help others. These simple folks as I might say, are in a better place than I am.

I experience extraordinary gifts, but yet the simplest gifts such as prayer is greater than anything that I do. The reason I say this is because I hear the Father speak to me along with Jesus I recognize the Holy Spirit when it moves in me and I see in here angels. Yet I'm still stupid and I still sin.

And there are people who experience none of the above and place their whole heart into god without any kind of serious proof beyond reading the scripture and praying. They are blindly following and believing that Jesus is their Lord and Savior. That to me is a special kind of faith.

 

[Gothedral]

At any rate, I apologize for quoting a scripture out of context, it seems to have caused you much discontent.

(KJV) Exodus 20:16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

Taking The Word out of context is what the Serpent tried to use against Eve the other day. I don't want to do that, and neither should scholars - for God's sake.

 

[Gothedral]

"A lying Spirit"?
Perish the thought.
I do appreciate your zeal.
Romans 10:1-3

(had to step out per se) But I am posting a public apology to you. My prayer against a lying spirit absolutely begins with and includes myself to start. Christ Almighty requires this (Matthew 7). I've been lied to by "Biblical scholars", so I am sensitive to say the least about the nuances of God's Law. It's not my intent to accuse nor slander, or be mean about pointing something important out to you (or anyone). That's a sin for the Hell-bound, and I don't want that at all. I am sorry, Brother Del.

Also, I'm practically new to this since returning to Christ the Way. Since you shared other testimonies beyond the Holy Bible, I'll share this.

(KJV) John chapter 21:

24 This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.

25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

^ The above scripture can mean every testimony ever published in print, digital, and even baubles. But my ultimate fact-checking is done with The Word of God. (Shout out to the Apocrypha, Enoch 1, etcetera).

Thank you for calling me out. Godspeed.

 

[B-A-C]

Obviously, there's laying on of hands, and then there's laying on of hands.

Sometimes we lay hands of people to "throw them out". Tim 5:22

But then there are other times we lay hands on people to bestow the Spirit upon them.

Acts 8:14–17

Acts 19:1–6

Acts 9:17

Hebrews 6:1–2