SESSION #11
The Laying On Of Hands
Presented by: Pastors, Calvin Bergsma
Video: vimeo.com/gcf/70-principle-11
Audio:
Notes: PDF Notes
▪ The Importance Of A Touch
▪ Commissioned For Service
▪ Sending Out (Commissioning)
Embedded Files
Hebrews 6:1-2 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection (Maturity); 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 the resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
THE IMPORTANCE OF A TOUCH
It may have been a beautiful day like today when people gathered on the Judean hillside so many years ago to see Jesus and listen to Him speak. These people came from every walk of life. The rich and poor, educated and illiterate, all drawn to the man who could heal with a touch as easy as he seemed to be able to make the invisible God seem to be within their reach. The noisy crowd excited with anticipation began to quiet as Jesus raised his hand to speak.
Don't you wish you could have been there to see, hear and yes touch him? I DO!!!
Through the press of the crowd that yearned to hear the Truth of Heaven
Jesus noticed some mothers with little children who simply wanted Him to bless them.
Matthew 19:13-15 Then some children were brought to Him so that He might lay His hands on them and pray, and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” After laying His hands on them, He departed from there.
Men and women are often so consumed with the things of life that seem so important like; •careers •political policy •doctrinal correctness, etc.
We’re so focused we often miss “nurturing the relationships” that life consists of.
Mothers understand the deep need for relationships the connections that are most profoundly communicated with just a “Gentle hand laid upon the one in need”
God designed us (Body, Soul & Spirit) and human touch is crucial to our health.
Jesus no longer physically walks on this earth but he still physically lays his hands on those who need a touch through you his body through you, you are His hands his feet.
"Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it." 1 Cor. 12:27
Today as we bring to a conclusion this series “The 70 Principle - Preparation for Ministry”
It is our desire that you begin to minister what you have received.
Matthew 10:7-8 “And as you go preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
“Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.
We will lay hands on you today; some will receive an anointing for a task or call you are already doing, and others will receive a much-needed touch from Heaven an impartation of faith and power to share that which you have received from God.
The power to more effectively accomplish Christ’s general commission is given to all believers:
Mark 16:15-18 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. “These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
We were reminded that; God continues His appeal to the hurting, Through You!
2 Corinthians 5:20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
The world can’t see your Heavenly Father but in His name, YOU CAN TOUCH THEM!
God’s Power is released through your touch (Look at Your Hands)
(Isaiah 59:1) “God’s arm is not so short that it cannot save”, it is your hands He uses.
Romans 6:13 Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.
The Laying on of Hands is one of the foundational doctrines of Christianity.
The Bible teaches that; by the “symbolic” act of laying our hands on others:
● God imparts blessing ● God Heals ● He delivers from demonic oppression
● The needy are touched by God ● And Believers Receive the Holy Spirit
Acts 19:6 “And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied.”
The scriptures also instructs “church leaders” to Lay hands on for several things
● When Someone is commissioned into a God-given office or ministry
Acts 6:3-6 “Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. “But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.
Today the elders who have been ordain to serve this local body will be laying their hands on you!
When hands were laid on them (commissioning them as elders) they were given special authority!
● This impartation of authority (this body assumes they are worthy of authority & trust)
“It is not done lightly” (We don’t place new believers in roles of authority)
1 Tim. 5:22 Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin.
Leadership shares responsibility for the sins of those they place in authority
The Elderships of the local churches want the those they serve to be able trust their counsel
When men are commissioned by the “Laying of Hands” –They expected to receive;
All the Power, Wisdom & Grace needed for the task
(They receive authority “as Elders” because they’re placing themselves under authority)
Matt 8: 5-13 And when Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, imploring Him, and saying, “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, fearfully tormented.” Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.” But the centurion said, “Lord, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed. “For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.” Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who were following, “Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel. “I say to you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven; but the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” And Jesus said to the centurion, “Go; it shall be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed that very moment.
There is power in being part of the body of Christ! (There is none when separated)
James 5:14 speaks of this special authority as an elder
James 5:14-16 Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
Anointing with oil is a form of “Laying on of Hands”
When hands are laid on you today you also should expect to receive; is an impartation of authority
Make sure you respect of trust & authority identification with us implies because of this “It is not done lightly”
We all should pray for each other… and it can accomplish much!
Some of you may even have a Spiritual Gift of healing… Use it !
But if you are sick have you called for the “Elders” (plural) to anoint with oil…
They have been given special Authority (anointing) for this.
The scriptures gives another example of using “Laying on of hands”
That is to impart a spiritual gift or gifts
2 Tim 1:6 For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
Romans 1:8-12 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world. For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you, always in my prayers making request, if perhaps now at last by the will of God I may succeed in coming to you. For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.
At times God directs specific people with specific gifting to go and minister this;
Act 9:10-19 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight.” But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.” So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized; and he took food and was strengthened.
Though there was a revival in Samaria, the apostles in Jerusalem send Peter and John to teach laying their hands on them to receive the Spirit
Act 8: 14-24 Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit. Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, “Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! “You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. “Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you. “For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity.” But Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me yourselves, so that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”
One thing I believe we learn from studying the doctrines of “laying on of hands”
We are all to be active members of the Body of Christ
In tune with the head “Christ”
Recognizing each other's gifts & callings
Always remember the power is not in the Man and not in the Hand…but in obeying God's command. (and God mixes it up a lot)
In conclusion read 1 Cor. 12:4-7
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
1 Cor. 12:11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.
1 Cor. 12:14-26 For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
Today the elders will “Lay hands on those” who submitted to the leadership God has placed here and ask that God’s Spirit would provide each of you all the needed gifts to serve in the calling and anointing God asked you to walk in!
You are all part of the Spiritual body of the Christ
You are His hands created to be an instrument of;
● Blessing ● anointing ● healing and ● deliverance.
Begin to carefully listen to God’s prompting and obey with action when He tells you to; “Lay Hands on others that need a touch from God.”
YOU WILL SEE HIS POWER MANIFEST
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