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he doctrine of the laying- The Pre cious on-of-hands is of critical N a m e of Jesus T im port an ce to t he One of the greatest 4 Church of God. It shows that which occurs in the name of Christ Understanding God works and deals with is the of having one’s sins the Laying-On- mankind through fallible, imper- f o rgiven by and through faith in of-Hands fect human beings that He sets that name. This miracle was made apart for His purpose. For some, possible by the propitiatory death ______this is a humbling experience, of Jesus. Why should our sins be Do ctrinal Statement: ______realizing they will have to coop- f o rgiven by the death of a man? erate with other human beings The reason is that Christ was not The laying-on-of-ha nds who are not perfect, but who for just a mere man. He was both man is a c eremony p er- the purpose of God are used to and God. God the Father “created f o rm ed by the ministry guide them as “helpers of their all things by Jesus Christ” joy” to salvation. (Ephesians 3:9). Therefore, His on spe cial o c c asions From the first five books of life is of more value than all such as for the re c e i v i n g M o s e s t o t h e b o o k o f human life. His substitutionary, or of G od’s after Revelation, we will find the lay- vicarious, death on the stake is b aptism, for ord i n a t i o n , ing-on-of-hands ceremony being s u fficient to pay the penalty for all a nd for other sp e cial used by servants of God to the sins of all human beings— ordain or commission others for past, present, and future. purposes. It sym bolizes a variety of God’s purposes. “ To Him [Jesus Christ] all the one’s submission to G od Usually the ceremony cen- prophets witness that, t h rough His a nd to the churc h , tered around God’s servant pray- n a m e , whosoever believes in Him which is G od’s instru- ing aloud as he placed his hands will receive remission of sins” ment on e arth. Such a on the recipient of his petitions. (Acts 10:43). c e re mony is the oc c a- It was a formal request to God “And he [Peter] commanded for a specific , gift, or them to be baptized in the name of sion of G od conferring a authority—as in . the Lord...” (verse 48). The apos- , blessing, or Usually these ceremonies are tles realized the power that believ- servic e to the person. short, but they are always filled ers have when using the precious with great meaning. “name of Jesus Christ of Ho m e Bible Stu dy C ourse

Nazareth” (Acts 3:6,16; of God’s revealed will to the help with this lesson, and have 4:7,10,12,18,30; 5:28,40; situations that arise in our lives. your study tools before you, 19:13). They went out every- It is understandable that we you are ready to begin Lesson where teaching, preaching, and cannot ask for something, or 4, “Understanding the Laying- baptizing in that name. Results ask God’s blessing on some- O n - o f - H a n d s . ” were miraculous. thing, that is contrary to His Word. With regular Bible study Und erstanding the Final Instructions and setting our heart on the L a y i n g - O n - o f - H a n d s In the book of James, the things above, we will come to Certain basics are essential apostle showed that the chil- know God’s will for our lives. for all believers. The most dren of this world, fighting and The point to remember, for basic doctrines of warring the way they do, meet the purpose of this lesson, is are listed in the first two vers- with disaster, failing to receive that we must seek to learn and es of the sixth chapter of help because they neglect to know God’s will, as well as Hebrews, beginning with ask for God’s help. And when believe the truth of His Bible. repentance, faith, , and they do ask God, it is to fulfill “And this is the confidence that this current lesson, the laying- their own personal wants and we have in Him, that if we ask o n - o f - h a n d s . desires. If we ask selfishly, we anything according to His will, ask amiss. We can only expect He hears us. And if we know Old Testa m ent Exa m ples a negative answer to such a that He hears us, whatever we When the Lord God was p r a y e r. ask, we know that we have the bringing the children of Israel Jesus set the right example petitions that we have asked of out of Egypt, He instructed when He said, “I seek not mine Him” (1 John 5:1,15). Aaron and his successors to own will, but the will of the In the previous lessons, we lay their hands on certain of Father which hath sent me” have covered repentance, faith, the sacrificial animals. T h i s (John 5:30). The apostle Paul and baptism. This fourth lesson was symbolic of transferring tells us we can “understand will show us how through the sin to the animal to be sacri- what the will of the Lord is” ceremony of the laying-on-of- ficed (Leviticus 8:14–23; (Ephesians 5:17). We are to hands we receive the gift of the Numbers 8:10–14). study the Word of God as Paul Holy Spirit. Another example is the commanded Timothy (2 The Holy Spirit of God, event taking place on the Day Timothy 2:15). which is His character, His of Atonement. “Aaron shall With the study of God’s love, and His power, is the lay both his hands on the head Word and the guidance of His added strength we need to obey of the live goat, confess over it Holy Spirit, we can know the His spiritual law. all the iniquities of the chil- will of God even if there is no By now you should have dren of Israel, and all their specific promise mentioned in found a quiet place to study and transgressions, concerning all the Bible. It is a matter of learn- a private place to pray. If you their sins, putting them on the ing how to apply the principles have already prayed for God’s head of the goat, and shall

2 Ho m e Bible Stu dy C ourse send it away into the wilder- 8:14–23; Numbers 8:10–14; He was to grant those two ness by the hand of a suitable Leviticus 16:21; Romans 5:11 boys and their descendants. man” (Leviticus 16:21). Obviously Aaron didn’t To C onfer R e v i e w have magic hands; his were the In the Book of Genesis, we 1. Blessings were passed on same as any other Israelite’s . see the ceremony of Israel’s f rom fathers to sons by the This physical ceremony com- ( J a c o b ’s) blessing on his two l a y i n g - o n - o f - h a n d s manded by God was to show grandsons, Ephraim and c e re m o n y. the unconverted Israelites that Manasseh. “Then Israel 2. The power of God brings their sins needed to be atoned stretched out his right hand f o rth the blessings. for and ultimately placed on and laid it on Ephraim’s head, 3. The physical symbol of the head of the father of sin, who was the younger, and his J a c o b ’s hands was the visi- Satan. Of course, this all had left hand on Manasseh’s head, ble sign of the blessings symbolic meaning since only guiding his hands knowingly, g i v e n . C h r i s t ’s blood really atones for for Manasseh was the first- sin (Romans 5:11). The laying- born” (Genesis 48:14). S c r i p t u res to Re a d, on-of-hands in this example Joseph, the boys’ f a t h e r, R e m e m b e r, and Re cite: symbolized the placing of the objected to Jacob’s putting his Genesis 48:14,19. sins of the Israelites upon the right hand on the second born, head of the animal. but Jacob refused to change An Exa m ple of C hrist Of course, today we are not the position of his hands: “I Note the example of Jesus involved in animal sacrifices. k n o w, my son, I know. He also Himself when He picked little These examples are used only shall become a people, and he children up in His arms. “Then to show how God used the lay- also shall be great; but truly little children were brought to ing-on-of-hands anciently. his younger brother shall be Him that He might put His greater than he, and his hands on them and pray. . . . A n d R e v i e w descendants shall become a He laid His hands on them and 1. The laying-on-of-hands is a multitude of nations” (verse departed from there” (Matthew basic doctrine. 1 9 ) . 19:13,15). By performing this 2. When A a ron laid hands on Logic would tell us that the simple act, He set an example an animal, it symbolized the hands of Jacob did not make for His church today to see to it t r a n s f e rence of sin from the Ephraim and Manasseh that the little children receive Israelites to the animal. become the great peoples they G o d ’s blessing. He used the 3. Only the blood of Christ eventually became. The fact laying-on-of-hands as a symbol really atones for sin. is, the power of the Lord God of authority to ask for a bless- performed that. God used the ing on the children. S c r i p t u res to Re ad, physical symbols of Jacob’s R e m e m b e r, and Re cite: right and left hands to be a R e v i e w H e b rews 6:1,2; Leviticus visible sign of the blessings 1. Jesus was not too busy for

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little childre n . a p o s t l e s . the authority of the laying- 2. Of such is the Kingdom of on-of-hands in the churc h . G o d . S c r i p t u res to Re a d, 3. Paul was able to lay hands 3. This simple act of blessing R e m e m b e r, and Re cite: on Timothy and ordain him c h i l d ren sets an example for Acts 6:5,6; 13:1–3 to the ministry because he the church to follow. also had received the lay- 4. The laying-on-of-hands is a The Giving of Authority i n g - o n - o f - h a n d s . symbol of authority used to It is God who made the 4. All authority comes to the ask for special blessings. decision that His church uti- C h u rch of God from Jesus lize the laying-on-of-hands as Christ and the apostles. S c r i p t u res to Re a d, a physical symbol of the R e m e m b e r, and Re cite: authority that God placed in S c r i p t u res to Re a d, Matthew 19:13,15 His church and with His true R e m e m b e r, and Re cite: m i n i s t e r s . 2 Timothy 1:6 New Testa m ent Exa mples Young Timothy didn’t There are a number of New decide on his own one day to Exa m ples of He aling Testament examples of people proclaim himself a of Christ set the example in being ordained to an office by God. He would have had to rec- healing. “When the sun was the laying-on-of-hands. One of ognize the authority in God’s setting, all those who had any the first is in the book of A c t s church and in the apostle Paul. that were sick with various where seven men were set He was placed in the ministry diseases brought them to Him; before the apostles, who prayed by the laying on of Paul’s hands and He laid His hands on and laid hands on them, ordain- (2 Timothy 1:6). Paul had the every one of them and healed ing them to the office of authority to place Timothy in them” (Luke 4:40). (Acts 6:5,6). the ministry because he had The apostle Paul also laid Another example is found in received that authority from his hands on Publius’ father to Acts where Barnabas and Saul God by the laying-on-of-hands heal him. “And it happened were prayed over and had of the elders and apostles that the father of Publius lay hands laid on them for a special before him. Therefore, the sick of a fever and dysentery. work they were to do (Acts authority goes back to the Paul went in to him and 1 3 : 1 – 3 ) . twelve apostles, who were prayed, and he laid his hands called, chosen, and ordained by on him and healed him” (Acts R e v i e w Jesus Christ Himself. 2 8 : 8 ) . 1. Many are ordained to cer- To the sick God gives this tain offices in the church by R e v i e w command: “Is anyone among the laying-on-of-hands. 1. You cannot be a minister of you sick? Let him call for the 2. Barnabas and Paul (Saul) Christ by just saying you are elders of the church, and let w e re ordained for a certain o n e . them pray over him, work by the elders and 2. It was God who established him with oil in the name of the

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Lord” (James 5:14). Oil is a we should go to the elders of who had been baptized into symbol of God’s Holy Spirit. the church when we’re sick. ’s baptism. No minister’s hands are spe- 4. The elders of the church will They had never heard about cial or holy. No olive oil has pray for us, anoint us, and the Holy Spirit. Paul taught any mystical powers. It is God lay hands upon us for them more thoroughly the Himself who heals through h e a l i n g . truth about repentance and His Holy Spirit. However, baptism, and when they heard when He tells the sick to call S c r i p t u res to Re a d, these things they were again for the elders of the church, R e m e m b e r, and Re cite: baptized in the name of the He establishes the authority Luke 4:40; Acts 28:8; James Lord Jesus. Paul laid hands for His miraculous healing to 5 : 1 4 on them and they then be done through His ministry received the Holy Spirit (Act in the church. Re c eiving the Holy Spirit 1 9 : 1 – 6 . ) When we do go to the eld- The apostle Paul, even Peter and John were sent ers of the church and ask to be though Jesus Christ Himself to Samaria because word anointed for healing, we struck him down, received the came to the apostles at should not sit back and do Holy Spirit only when Jerusalem that they had nothing, waiting for God to Ananias laid hands on him. received God’s truth and had heal. God expects us do our “And Ananias went his way been baptized. However, they part to aid the healing process. and entered the house; and had not received the Holy Also, God knows what is best laying his hands on him h e Spirit. So when Peter and for us. So in the meantime we said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord John laid their hands on them, should get the best medical Jesus, who appeared to you they immediately received help we can afford. Doing this on the road as you came, has the Spirit! actually shows faith in God sent me that you may receive Watching all this happen our Healer because we are your sight and be filled with was Simon the sorcerer. He trusting in Him for our wel- the Holy Spirit’” (Acts 9:17). wanted the power of the Holy fare and at the same time Immediately Paul received Spirit, and offered Peter doing our part. the Holy Spirit and then was money for it. Read for your- baptized. Normally, baptism self what Peter told Simon R e v i e w comes first, and then the (Acts 8:14–25). 1. Christ set the example by receiving of the Holy Spirit If you have truly repented laying His hands on the sick by the laying-on-of-hands. In of breaking God’s holy and and healing them. P a u l ’s case it was reversed; righteous laws, you too 2. Paul, following the example but this is the exception, not should be baptized and expe- of Jesus, laid his hands on the rule. rience the laying-on-of-hands P u b l i u s ’ father and healed Several years after Paul’s to receive God’s Holy Spirit. h i m . c o n v e r s i o n , h e v i s i t e d After these rituals, God 3. God gave the command that Ephesus and found people gives the Holy Spirit of power,

5 Ho m e Bible Stu dy C ourse which will convict your heart exception, not the ru l e . s e rv a n t s . and mind, and help you make 3. Those who had been bap- decisions for your life that tized into John the Baptist’s S c r i p t u res to Re a d, will be pleasing to God. God’s baptism needed to be re b a p - R e m e m b e r, and Re cite: Spirit will help individuals to tized before having hands Acts 9:17; 19:1–6; 8:14–25 grow in grace and in the laid on them to receive the knowledge of Christ Jesus, Holy Spirit. C o n c l u s i o n overcoming self and becoming 4. Those of Samaria had been The laying-on-of-hands cer- more like Jesus every day, for baptized but had not emony is quite relevant to this the remainder of your life. received the Spirit because s o c i e t y, and to you and me! hands had not been laid on God is alive, and, through R e v i e w t h e m . His chosen agents and minis- 1. Even the apostle Paul had to 5. Simon the sorc e rer found ters, is actively dealing with have another human being out you cannot buy the mankind today. Yes, God still lay hands on him so he power of the Holy Spirit. deals with imperfect people, could receive the Holy 6. God gives His Holy Spirit through a physical group of S p i r i t . to those who believe, have human beings, the church, 2. Paul received the Spirit and a repentant heart, are bap- doing His work. May God then was baptized, re v e r s i n g tized, and receive the lay- bless you to understand! ❏ the normal ord e r. This is an ing-on-of-hands of His

Study Notes:

6 The Church of G od International 4 OM E BI B L Understanding HStudy Course E the Laying-On- of-Hands True or False Questions Test 1. The laying-on-of-hands was used children and blessed them. to symbolically transfer sin to the Yourself sacrificial animal. 8. The kingdom will be made up of those with the humility of little Write your answers to 2. Sins do not need to be atoned for. ch i l d r e n . the questions on a We just say we are sorry. sep arate she et of 9. We should follow Jesus’ example 3. Atonement can only be accom- in the church and bless infant p a per. Che ck your plished through Christ’s blood. ch i l d r e n . answers with the answers found at the 4. Jacob blessed his grandsons with- 10. The laying-on-of-hands is not nec- out God’s approval. essary for ordination. end of the test. Deta ch the return 5. Jacob must have been a for- 11. We don’t really have to follow the coupon at the bottom tu n e t e l l e r . ap o s t l e s ’ example in ordination. of the p a ge and mail 6. Jesus told His disciples to keep 12. The laying-on-of-hands is a nice b a ck to us. We will the little children away. ceremony but not necessary. send the next lesson in the series to you. 7. Jesus laid His hands on the little Continued on next page

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13. Elders use the laying-on-of-hands to pass 22. Simon the sorcerer wanted to be able to lay hands on authority. on people so they could receive the Holy Spirit because he was a good man. 14. The authority for the laying-on-of-hands comes from the apostles and Christ. 23. God will bless anything as long as we ask Him to.

15. Christ never set an example for healing. 24. We should not bother God when we get sick.

16. Paul followed the example of Jesus when he laid 25. Anyone can be a minister of Jesus Christ if he or hands on Publius. she wants to.

17. The Bible never said we should go to the elders of 26. Baptism is essential if we expect to receive the church. sa l v a t i o n .

18. The elders will pray for us and anoint us with oil 27. The laying-on-of-hands is a basic doctrine of the for healing. ch u r c h .

19. The apostle Paul didn’t need to have hands laid 28. We can receive the Holy Spirit all by ourselves, on him. and then be baptized.

20. If you had been baptized by John the Baptist, that 29. We don’t need to pray before we study God’s is all you would have needed. Wor d .

21. There were those who said they had never heard of 30. God gives His Holy Spirit to everybody, even if the Holy Spirit. we don’t repent.

Answers to True or False Questions: Score Yourself: Miss 0–3 = Excellent; Miss 4–6 = Good; Miss 7–9 = Fair

All Scripture quotations taken from the New King James Version except as noted. Text: Loren Chamberlain.