The Laying On of Hands

In the worship services of many churches, believers often experience the ritual or practice of the laying on of hands. Sometimes, it is part of the ordination ceremony for a pastor or elder; other times, it is a form of prayer used in more charismatic gatherings.

Throughout the Bible, the laying on of hands is primarily a ritual action.

In the Old Testament, the most common context is a sacrificial offering. The worshiper would bring the offering to the entrance of the Tabernacle and lay their hand on the head of the sacrificial animal. This act symbolized the worshiper’s union with the sacrifice, meaning the shedding of the animal’s blood and its death was as if the worshiper’s own blood was shed and they had died, and their sin was thus atoned for (Leviticus 1:4). The laying on of hands also had several other uses: to impart a spiritual blessing or authority (Genesis 48:14), and to publicly designate someone appointed by God to a special office or ministry (Numbers 27:18-20).

In the New Testament, the practice of laying on of hands continued with the same basic pattern as the Old Testament but also took on additional meanings, such as healing (Mark 16:17-18), commissioning for ministry (Acts 6:5-6), equipping believers with the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17), and imparting spiritual gifts (Acts 19:6).

The Bible records:

[Leviticus 1:4] He shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.

[Genesis 48:14] But Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on the head of Ephraim, who was the younger, and his left hand on the head of Manasseh, crossing his hands, for Manasseh was the firstborn.

[Numbers 27:18-20] So the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him. Make him stand before Eleazar the priest and all the congregation, and you shall commission him in their sight. You shall invest him with some of your authority, that all the congregation of the people of Israel may obey.”

[Mark 16:17-18] And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.

[Acts 6:5-6] And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte from Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.

[Acts 9:17] So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

[Acts 19:6] And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.