Two Are Better Than One

LAYING HANDS, ePI-the-sis, TIthe-mi*, 4x (409), Strong’s # 1936

PURPOSES FOR LAYING ON OF HANDS

One. MAT 19:13, 15 (13-15). CHILDREN BLESSED: THROUGH LAYING ON OF HANDS. “Then were brought to him little children, that he should lay :handson them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. 15And he laid :hands on them, anddeparted thence.” Children are close in spirit to the Kingdom of God, and conversion makes adults like them. They were especially dear to Jesus.

Two. Mark 16:18 (9-18). HEALING: THROUGH LAYING ON OF HANDS. “They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Jesus healed this way, and Paul. (Luke 4:40, Acts 28:8). Even so Ananias healed Paul this way (Acts 9:12).

Three. Acts 8:17-18 (1-24). GIFT OF SPIRIT: THROUGH LAYING ON OF HANDS. “Then laid they their hands on them, and they received theHoly Spirit. 18Now when :Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ :hands the Spirit was given, he brought them money.” Paul (Acts 9:17), the Samaritans and the Ephesians (Acts 19:1-7) received the Spirit this way.

Four. Acts 13:3 (1-3). MISSIONARY COMMISSION: THROUGH LAYING ON OF HANDS. “Then, having fasted and prayed and laid theirhands on them, they sent them away.” Ministering to the Lord and fasting preceded this call. When the Holy Spirit confirmed Paul’s earlier call, prophets and teachers laid hands on Barnabas & Saul.

Five. 1 TIM 5:22 (17-25). ORDINATION: THROUGH LAYING ON OF HANDS. “Lay hands hastily on no one, neither be partaker of others’ sins: keep yourself pure.” Deacons (Acts 6:6) and elders were ordained in this manner. But we are not to do so promiscuously, for there is a penalty for such!

Six. 2 TIM 1:6 (3-14). GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT: THROUGH LAYING ON OF HANDS OF THE PRESBYTERY. “For which cause I remind you to stir into flame the gift of :God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” See also 1 TIM 1:18 and 4:14 (11-16). “Neglect not the gift in you, which was given you through prophecy, with laying on of the hands of the presbytery.” Moses: for Joshua, Deut. 34:9.

Seven. REV 1:17 (9-20). COMFORT AND STRENGTH THROUGH THE LAYING ON OF HANDS. “And when I saw him, I fell at his :feet as one dead. And he laid his :right handupon me, saying, Fear not; I am the first and the last.” The handclasp and the hand of a friend mean much. It carries a message, and from Jesus to John, it brought strengthening.

Eight. Habukkuk 3:3-4 (1-15). THE SECRET OF HAND POWER. “God came from Teman, And the Holy One from mount Paran. His glory covered the heavens, And the earth was full of his praise. 4And his brightness was as the light; He had rays coming forth from his hand; And there was the hiding of his power” (ASV).

Ponder this well!