Laying on of Hands

Announcer:

This is Today With Derek Prince. The internationally recognized Bible teacher and author presents to you Keys to Successful Living.

This week Derek Prince begins another new topic from his series on Laying the Foundation, which is helping us to build a firm foundation for a successful Christian life. Let’s listen as he continues with his new theme ‘Transmitting God’s Power,’ which he taught during a conference held in New Zealand. Today Derek will begin by outlining the spiritual purposes of the laying on of hands, and he uses Jacob and his grandsons as an example of imparting blessing and setting destiny. Be sure to stay tuned the end of today’s message for our address and this week’s special offer.

Derek Prince:

Now we are continuing with the study of the six foundation doctrines listed in Hebrews chapter 6:1–2. We have dealt with the first three: repentance from dead works, faith toward God and the doctrine of baptisms. In connection with the doctrine of baptisms I pointed out that the New Testament tells us of three distinct baptisms: the baptism of John the Baptist, Christian baptism and the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

Now in this session we’re going on to the fourth of these foundation doctrines which is laying on of hands. For a title for this message I have rendered it ‘Transmitting God’s Power.’

Many of us would probably be a little surprised to find that laying on of hands is amongst the foundation doctrines, because very little is said about it currently in most congregations. But if you pause and consider, it’s extremely logical, it has to be there, because laying on of hands or transmitting God’s power and authority is the thing that brings continuity to the body of Christ. It brings continuity between a senior minister and a junior minister, and it brings continuity between one generation and the next. So the essential function of this ministry of laying on of hands is to provide continuity in the body of Christ. In some traditions this continuity they claim to have preserved from the days of the apostle Peter until now. I’m not considering that claim but I’m just pointing out that the reasoning behind it is logical. We need a way to continue from generation to generation, from ministry to ministry, and this way has been provided in the Scripture by this ordinance, I would call it, of laying on of hands.

It’s interesting, we find it in the first book of the Bible and really it extends from then on through the whole history of God’s people. It is an essential element in the history of God’s people. I would say there are certain spiritual purposes which it embraces. First of all, let’s notice the fact that to put your hand on somebody is a natural, human reaction. A mother has a sick baby who has a fever, almost without reasoning she’ll put her hand on the forehead of the child. Or, two men meet who haven’t seen one another for a long time and in one way or another they’ll lay their hands on their shoulders or they’ll shake hands, but they’ll make contact with their hands. The hand is one of the main ways that human beings make contact with one another.

In the spiritual context I suggest that there are certain purposes which are accomplished. First of all, to transmit. In the Bible we find the laying on of hands used to transmit blessings, authority, wisdom, the Holy Spirit, a spiritual gift or a ministry. Let me just give you that list once more. It’s used to transmit blessing, authority, wisdom, the Holy Spirit, a spiritual gift or a ministry.

And secondly, it’s used to commission. It is the biblical way of commissioning a person for a place of service in the body of Christ. And as such, it recognizes God’s appointment. We need to understand that things in the church are not settled by votes. God is not subject to votes. A lot of churches vote for deacons or vote for pastors or vote for somebody, that really is not scriptural. It’s God who makes the appointments. Jesus said to His apostles, ‘You have not chosen me, I have chosen you.’ I believe that’s true of every valid function and ministry and appointment in the church. It’s not man who made the choice but God, because Jesus Christ is head over all things to the church which is His body. I don’t believe that appointments that are not made on the authority of Jesus really have any validity. But, I believe the appointment is not to make a person a certain thing but to recognize what God has decided that person should be. I believe if you are in a meeting in a church to discuss deacons, your purpose should not be to decide who you would like to have as a deacon, your purpose should be to decide whom God has chosen as a deacon. It’s a very different attitude.

We are somewhat corrupted by democracy which has very little place in the Bible or in the church. I won’t go any further into that because it’s rather controversial and I don’t have time to get involved in controversy.

“Secondly, apart from recognizing laying on of hands is used to set apart for a certain task or ministry. Thirdly, it’s used to endorse or to give authority.”

And fourthly, it’s used to equip; that is, to transmit the spiritual gift or the spiritual authority or whatever else is needed by the person to carry out his God-appointed task.

So let me just give that list again because it’s important. This function of laying on of hands in commissioning people is used to recognize but not appoint the persons of God’s choice. It’s used to set apart a person to a certain task or ministry. It’s used to endorse a person with authority. And, it’s used to equip him with all the spiritual authority or gifts that that person will need.

Now let’s look at some examples, first of all, from the Old Testament. We’ll turn to Genesis chapter 48 and read from verse 8 through verse 19, which is a very, very interesting passage. In this passage Joseph brings his two sons to his father Jacob, who is also called Israel, for Jacob to bless his grandsons. And let me say second to the blessing of God Himself, I think the most desired blessing is the blessing of a father or a grandfather. I would say to all of you, especially you younger people, if by any means possible, obtain your father’s blessing on whatever you do. It is very, very important. It’s second only to the blessing of God Himself. You will see in the Bible great importance was attached to a father’s blessing. So here we are in verse 8:

Then Israel [that is Jacob] saw Joseph’s sons and said, ‘Who are these?’ And Joseph said to his

“father, ‘These are my sons whom God has given me in this place [that’s Egypt].’ And he said [that’s Jacob], ‘Please bring them to me and I will bless them.’ Now the eyes of Israel were dim with age so that he could not see. Then Joseph brought them near him and he kissed them and embraced them. And Israel [that’s Jacob] said to Joseph, ‘I had not thought to see your face; but in fact God has also shown me your offspring.’”

If there’s one thing that moves me to tears, it’s the faithfulness of God. It’s not grief, it’s not sorrow, but every time I contemplate the faithfulness of God I’m overcome with tears.

“So Joseph brought them from beside his knees and he bowed down with his face to the earth. Notice the respect that the people in the Bible showed for parents and for the elderly.
And Joseph took them both, Ephraim with his right hand towards Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh with his left hand towards Israel’s right hand, and brought them near him. Then Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands knowingly for Manasseh was the firstborn.”

Normally, the firstborn would receive the greater blessing and that would be transmitted by the right hand. And Joseph specially arranged that Manasseh, who was the elder, was to come opposite Jacob’s right hand. But Jacob, prompted by the Holy Spirit, crossed his hands and laid his right hand on Ephraim and his left hand on Manasseh.

“He blessed Joseph and said, ‘God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has fed me all my life long to this day, the angel who has redeemed me from all evil . . .’”

You know where that happened? When Jacob met the angel at Peniel, that was what he was referring to.

“. . . the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; let my name be named upon them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.”

Can you see also how important it is to transmit a name? So many of these things are just going out of fashion today but they’ve never gone out of fashion with God.

“Now when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him; so he took hold of his father’s hand to remove it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. And Joseph said to his father, ‘Not so, my father! For this one is the firstborn, put your right hand on his head.’ But his father refused and said, ‘I know, my son, I know; he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great. But truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his descendants shall become a multitude of nations.’ So he blessed them that day, saying, ‘By you Israel will bless, saying, ‘May God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh.’’ And thus he set Ephraim before Manasseh.”

That’s a very vivid scene, isn’t it? You see, it’s very precise. It was understood that the greater blessing would come from the father’s right hand.

Announcer:

Join us again tomorrow when Derek Prince will continue his theme on ‘Transmitting God’s Power,’ by sharing more examples from the Old Testament about the laying on of hands to commission and equip for ministry.

This message is available on audiocassette No. RC4166 and also on video. Our special offer this week is Derek Prince’s book The Spirit-filled Believer’s Handbook, which provides the necessary teaching to develop a strong balanced spirit filled life. It’s comprehensive index of topics and Scripture verses also make it an excellent teaching resource for leaders. To receive your copy of ‘Transmitting of God’s Power’ write today and include a contribution of $5.00 or more for audio cassette RC4166 or $14.95 for the video teaching. Include a gift of $15.00 or more for The Spirit-filled Believer’s Handbook.

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