We have discussed four methods to receive healing from God. In this post we will begin discussing the fifth method, laying on of hands.
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 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. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Mark 16:15-20
These are the last instructions provided by Jesus just before His ascension to heaven. Notice that He said “they shall lay hands on the sick”. Who is instructed to do this? He said it would be “them that believe”.
Jesus gave these instructions and then ascended to heaven. We see that the disciples obeyed. They obeyed and “went forth” and “preached every where”.
We have talked about the importance of the Word. It is our foundation. The disciples did not go out and begin praying for people. They went out and “preached every where”. We are told that the Lord worked with them and confirmed “the Word with signs following”.
Jesus worked with them but He did not confirm their message or their prayers. He confirmed the Word which they preached.
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
Hebrews 6:1-2
The author of Hebrews provides us with a listing of the fundamental Christian doctrines. In this list we see the “laying on of hands”. The conclusion then is that this is one of the doctrines of Christ.
A study of this doctrine will show that Biblically the laying on of hands predates the New Covenant. It is an established doctrine of Christ but it was seen in the Old Covenant as well.
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.
Deuteronomy 34:9
This is just one example. Joshua received the “spirit of wisdom” when Moses “laid his hands upon him.
Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
Matthew 19:13
Jesus had not yet gone to the cross. He ministered as a prophet under the Old Covenant. Laying on of hands was something we see Him practicing throughout the Gospel accounts. In this case He laid His hands on the children who were brought to HIm.
A careful examination of Jesus’ ministry will reveal He ministered more with the laying on of hands when ministering healing to people. This alone should cause us to pay attention to this fundamental doctrine. If It was this important to Jesus, shouldn’t it be equally important to us?
So laying on of hands is our fifth method of receiving healing. It was seen in the Old Testament, in Jesus’ ministry, and is called a fundamental doctrine of Christ. We will continue studying it in our next post.
Thank you for stopping by today. If this post has been a blessing please share our blog with your friends and family.
MB Media operates entirely by faith. Our mission is to provide christian teaching through social media channels and this website to viewers and readers currently located in more than thirty different countries.
Thank you in advance for your support! We know that you will reap a “harvest of blessing” (Gal. 6:9 TLB).
You can use this QR code or navigate to our PayPal site using the link below.
MBDevotional 