By Mike Smith

1. Before We Go On To
Perfection
“The Laying On Of Hands”
In Hebrews chapter 6 we have 6
foundational teachings mentioned
which we all need to be reminded
of so that we may have them in
our heart so we may endeavor to
go on toward perfection as God’s
word encourages us here...

2. The Laying On of Hands
in the O.T.
• Basically described: 1. as the Act or
Ceremony of “Imposition of Hands,”
putting them on someone or some thing,
it was always connected with the
conveyance or transference of something
figurative or real to another.
2. In some cases it deals even with ideas of
identification and devotion to God. But in
the Old Testament especially each case
varies with the purpose of the act
mentioned.

3. The Laying On of Hands
in the O.T.
• To Impart a Blessing – Gen. 48:14-20
• A Ritual of Sacrifice – Ex. 29:10,15,19;
Lev. 1:4; Lev. 3:2,8,13; Lev. 4:4,24,29; 8:14
• In Witness Bearing For Capital Offenses
Lev. 24:14; Heb. 10:28
• Tribe of Levi Set Apart – Num. 8:9-11
• Moses Appointed Joshua to be his
Successor - Num. 27:18, 23; Deut. 34:9

4. The Laying On of Hands
in the N.T.
• Jesus Did This: Luke 7:17-22
– To bless children – Mt. 19:13, 15; Mark
10:13-16
– Cleansed Leprosy – Lk. 5:12-14; Mark 1:41
– Blind To See – Mark 8:22-25
– Healed The Sick – Mark 6:5; Luke 4:40
– Raised The Dead – Mark 5:22-24, 35-42
– Jesus did many other miracles – John 20:30-
31; 21:25

5. The Laying On of Hands
in the N.T.
• The Apostles of Jesus Did This: Ac. 5:12
– In Healing the Sick – Acts 28:8; Mk. 16:18
– In Ordination to Office:
• As an Elder - 1 Tim. 5:22
• To do a certain job (7) chosen - Acts 6:6
• Timothy appointed to preach – 1 Tim. 4:14;
2 Tim. 1:6
– Barnabas & Saul sent to Cyprus after finishing
a certain ministry- Acts 12:25-13:3

6. The Laying On of Hands
in the N.T.
• The main purpose for laying on of hands in
the early church was for imparting the
miraculous influences of the Holy Spirit.
– In Samaria – Acts 8:14-19
– In Ephesus – Acts 19:6
– Seen accompanied by prayer – Acts 6:6;
Acts 8:15; 13:3

7. The Laying On of Hands
in the N.T.
• Spiritual gifts from laying on of hands
ended when they were no longer needed:
– Various spir. gifts given – 1 Cor. 12:6-11,27-31
• Had a limited duration – 1 Cor. 13:8-10
– The purpose of these gifts was to equip the
church until it becomes mature, and to confirm
the word. Eph. 4:11-15; Heb. 2:3-4
– The “perfect” had come – James 1:25
• Christ’s law completely delivered - Jude 3
• Commanded to teach only God’s word!
1 Tim. 1:3; 1 Cor. 4:6; 1 Cor. 9:21

8. Today…
• The use of the laying on of hands may be
used to show acceptance and approval of
those who have been selected by the
congregation to serve. Acts 6; 1 Tim. 5:22
• In seeking God’s blessing and protection on
those who serve. Acts 13:1-3
• It is also to be accompanied by fasting and
prayer as seen in Acts 13 even when you
pray for someone, the imposition of hands
represents the outward symbol of the prayer.

9. Follow The Steps To
Salvation In Jesus Christ!
Baptism
1 Peter
3:21
Confess
Jesus
Acts 8:37
Repent
Acts 2:38
Faith
Mark
16:16
Learning
Romans
10:17