Section 1 LESSON 10 LAYING on of HANDS

Section 1 LESSON 10 LAYING ON OF HANDS

This lesson will focus on: 1. Definition and symbolism of laying hands 2. Blessing on and of Children 3. Laying hands on the sick 4. Impartation of the Holy Spirit and Gifts 5. Designation of persons to an office

1. DEFINITION AND SYMBOLISM OF LAYING ON OF HANDS

Laying on of Hands according to the New Strong's Expanded Dictionary of Bible words means: an imposition (of hands officially), putting on. Also, the placing of one's hands on someone or something becomes a natural symbol of the transfer of physical activity and force or power (authority).

Exodus 15:6 Thy right hand, 0 Lord, is become glorious in power:

Exodus 15:12 Thou, stretchedst out thy right hand

Psalm 44:3 For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save (deliver) them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.

The right hand of God symbolizes might, judgment, strength, blessing and authority. The usage of the right hand is often used when laying hands on someone or something. The reason as stated before is that the right hand symbolizes might, judgment, strength, blessing and authority. Also, note that the practice of laying on of hands is used in the Church. It was a Hebrew custom, which was authorized to Israel and to the Church. 2. BLESSING CHILDREN

The laying on of hands to bless children is a common but sacred usage.

Genesis 48:14 And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn.

In Genesis 48:14, Israel (who used to be Jacob), laid his right hand upon the younger son, which was not the tradition or the expectation of the past nor Joseph. It was expected that the person passing on the

1 | Page FFSIG Section 1 Lesson 1 0 Laying on of Hands © 2 0 2 0 / 2 1 inheritances’ blessing, would be through the laying on of the right hand. In this instant case, the right hand was laid upon the younger and therefore the inheritances’ blessing was passed on to him. The left hand was laid upon the older son whereby he received a secondary, and therefore lesser blessing. This upset Joseph, who was expecting his oldest to receive the greater blessing.

Mark 10:16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

Luke 18:15 And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them;

Laying hands according to scripture to bless our children is a biblical truth and practice that we apply today. We are to bless our children and curse them not (Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue). The words spoken over our children will either prosper or destroy them inwardly. We are the authority and covering (protection) for our children. Just as our Heavenly Father looks upon us and speaks blessing not cursing. If we want our children to be good, we must call them good and teach them what good is and how it behaves. Many times, parents are frustrated when their children embarrass them in public through things that have been allowed in the home.

We curse ourselves by disobeying God and his word. God's thoughts toward us are as in Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thought that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end. When we speak negatively toward the children after their embarrassing action we curse them instead of blessing them. This ought not to be so. We should bless our children for their and our own good by speaking in faith the things of God and His blessing, not out of our frustrations based on their sometime negative behavior. Practice laying hands on your children and speak out God’s vision over them.

3. LAYING HANDS ON THE SICK

Jesus laid hands on those that were sick and oppressed by Satan and they recovered. Let's read a few scriptures.

Mark 5:23 And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.

See St. Matthew 4:23, St. Matthew 8:3 and Acts 28:8.

In Mark 16:18, it says “They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick. and they shall recover”. Jesus has given every believer – whether they have knowledge of this or not – the “power of attorney” which is the authority and power to act for Jesus with the same rights and power. The power of attorney is carrying out the work that God has started through Christ Jesus. We have been given AUTHORITY in the earth, by Christ Jesus to lay hands on the sick and they shall recover (be strengthened). A misconception in the Church is that many believers assume that this authority has been given only to the five-fold ministry (Apostle, Prophet, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers). Jesus has commissioned and empowered every believer to pray the prayer of faith and lay hands on the sick.

4. IMPARTATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND GIFTS

Laying on of hands was also used to baptize God’s people with the Holy Spirit and gifts. The gifts of the Holy Spirit that Jesus gives us will be explained in upcoming lessons but can be found in I Corinthians 12:4-11; 2 | Page FFSIG Section 1 Lesson 1 0 Laying on of Hands © 2 0 2 0 / 2 1 and are wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits different kinds of languages (tongues) and interpretation of tongues.

In Acts 1:8 and 2:1-4 below it is noted that once the church received the promised power of the nature and attributes of Christ Jesus they began to act totally different than they had before. They became witnesses of the nature (righteousness, peace and joy) of Jesus with the benefit of His power. They went from being consumed with fear as they hid from the Jewish religious leaders, boldly proclaiming the full gospel of the Lord boldly in the streets of Jerusalem as they spoke in tongues (different languages) which proclaimed the wonders of the Lord. They then began laying their hands-on others along with healing them and the imparting of the other gifts of the Holy Spirit also.

Acts 8:17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Acts 9:17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

I Timothy 4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

According to scripture, Jesus was resurrected from the dead and appeared to the disciples. He commanded them to wait in Jerusalem for the Father to send the promise, which was the Holy Ghost. They obeyed the commission given by Jesus and waited in Jerusalem. In Acts 2:1- 4 the people were baptized with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit empowers us to overcome our flesh and the god of this world (Satan). The reason why we have so many “Carnal Christians” (those who act according to their old nature of the world with jealousy, envy, divisions, etc. see Galatians 5:19-21) is because many have not been baptized with the Holy Spirit; and be led of Him.

Let me explain the power that has been given to believers: this power is inherent power (that is the power of Christ Jesus within you) which makes you capable of reproducing the power of Jesus. Jesus told the believers to wait in Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high in Luke 24:49. The word endued comes from the word dudamis which means like dynamite or to become like a dynamo. The Holy Spirit equips us with spiritual gifts, which we will learn in future lessons. Jesus was baptized with the Holy Spirit. Paul was baptized with the Holy Spirit. The Pastors and the other ministers and teachers of these classes are baptized with the Holy Spirit. Therefore according to the power of attorney given unto the church, only those who have been baptized with the Holy Spirit can lay hands and impart the Holy Spirit and gifts. We can't lay hands and impart something we don't have. I encourage you that if you haven't received the baptism of the Holy Spirit to communicate with someone that is full of the Holy Spirit and faith (preferably an Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor or Teacher).

Remember, Jesus said in Luke 6:44, that a tree is known by its fruit; some of the fruit of the Holy Spirit are the love, joy, peace, wisdom and power of Christ. That nature is so often passed or imparted unto others by the “laying on of the hands” of those who are being led of the Spirit of God. 3 | Page FFSIG Section 1 Lesson 1 0 Laying on of Hands © 2 0 2 0 / 2 1

5. DESIGNATION OF PERSONS TO AN OFFICE

Another usage for “laying on of hands,” is to designate people to an office for the work of the ministry within the Church. Laying hands is used to designate a person to an office that God (not man) has placed or appointed them to occupy. This is a sacred and holy ceremony. When God calls and anoints, which means to set a person that has met Gods’ criteria of faithfulness, holiness and maturity, into a vocation (job), and sets a person into an office for His pleasure and purpose, then God is giving this person the charge and responsibility to carry on the work that God desires them to do.

1 Corinthians 12:18 But now hath God set the members everyone of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

Acts 6:6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

Numbers 27:18 And the Lord said unto Moses, take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him.

A perfect example of how God selects those who have proven themselves in wisdom, holiness and faithfulness is in the selection of Joshua.

Deuteronomy 34:9 And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the Lord commanded Moses.

This office is not designated to just anyone. The bible warns us in the book of 1Timothy 5:22 “Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure”. The laying on of hands gave men authority to function in the office they were placed in by God. In the case of Timothy and Barnabus the Holy Spirit separated them and gave them the positions of authority and power due to their faithfulness, holiness and maturity.

2 Timothy 1:6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

Acts 13:1-4 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. 4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

They already had the Holy Spirit, faith, power and wisdom (men of honest report). The laying on of hands was to designate them for an office, as Moses did Joshua. In the example of Simon the sorcerer, he tried to purchase the “gift” of laying on of hands to transfer the power of God to people by them receiving the Holy Spirit, but Peter told him that it was not for him because he was in the “gall of bitterness and iniquity filled his heart.” We therefore do not lay hands suddenly on any person, but await the leading of the Holy Spirit who knows where every person’s heart is. The Lord admonishes us not to cast our pearls before swine, lest 4 | Page FFSIG Section 1 Lesson 1 0 Laying on of Hands © 2 0 2 0 / 2 1 they trample them under their feet then turn and tear you in pieces (Matthew 7:5-7), because of an impure heart. God’s gifts are for those walking in right relationship with Him, not those seeking personal selfish gain. See Acts 8:9-24.

MEMORY/MEDITATION SCRIPTURE:

Acts 9:17 (KJV) And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

Acts 9:17 (NIV) Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

LESSON TAKE AWAYS

1. Knowledge: God’s power is transferable through the “laying on of hands.” 2. Understanding: This ability is part of the inheritance given by God to His church. 3. Application: As you believe, you have the authority to follow the leading of God to impart the gift of the Holy Spirit unto others; along with God’s power to release whatever He is directing.

Section 1 Lesson 10 Homework LAYING ON OF HANDS

Name______

(In the questions below, check the best answer per the lesson)

1. What is the meaning of the phrase “laying on of hands?”  A. It means to place the hands of people in the ministry unto others to get them healed.  B. It means for those persons in the Lord who know the scriptures very well to bless others.  C. It means for those who have received the Holy Spirit, as the follow the Lord, they place their hands on someone to transfer the power of God on them.  D. It means to assist another individual in getting saved by placing believer’s hands on them.

2. Did Jesus give a charge for believers to lay on hands? (scripture)  A. Yes, Jesus told the disciples to lay hands on those who were sick to receive healing.  B. No, Jesus reserved this right only to the apostles in the early church; and they have passed on into glory.  C. Yes, Jesus gave this to Peter when He told him that he was being given the keys to the Kingdom.  D. Yes, Jesus gave this benefit as a part of all in their Kingdom inheritance in the gospel. 3. Give an Old Testament example of the laying on of hands. (Give scripture and an explanation). ______4. How did God have people “set aside or apart” for special ministry?

 A. Acts 6:6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. Numbers 27:18 And the Lord said unto Moses, take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him.  B. Those who had gone to ministry schools and had motivational gifting to preach were set aside.  C. Usually the children of those who have special ministerial gifting receive said ministry gifting.  D. God always searches for people who are good hearted and willing to give as those that have earned special gifting.