Jesus Is Lord Bible School
October 2022 - April 2023
1Co 3:10-11 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. (11) For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Heb 6:1-2 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, (2) Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
Principle 4
Laying On Of Hands
This principle has been the subject of many debates and discussions. What is the purpose of laying on of hands and who do I lay hands on? Can demonic spirits be transferred if the wrong person lays hands on you? These are sincere questions that require answers if the believer is to walk in confidence in this area of their life.
The laying on of hands is an action mentioned on numerous occasions in the Bible when there was a conferring of a blessing or authority. Moses ordained Joshua through the laying on of hands: Num 27:15–23, Deut 34:9. The Bible adds that Joshua was thereby "filled with the spirit of wisdom".
I am going to say this, there are so many passages we could refer to pertaining to this subject, but I want to, for foundational purpose, keep this in a synopsis model.
Jesus touched many that he healed but he healed many that he did not touch. So, laying on of hands is not the necessary model for someone to be healed. Jesus just spoke a word and the Centurions servant was healed without him even going to his house (Mat 8:8-13)
Jas 5:14-15 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: (15) And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
This is a verse that has been used to give credence to the laying on of hands, but it says nothing about laying on of hands. It says to anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord and to pray over them. Then is says the prayer of faith shall save the sick.
Let me give two examples here: In Acts 19:1-6 Paul laid hands on these believers and they received the Holy Ghost. In Acts 10:44-46 while Peter was speaking the word the Holy Ghost fell on them that heard the word. So, you would not necessarily have to have someone lay hands on you to receive the Holy Ghost. That would be not only a leading of the Holy Spirit but the work of the Spirit.
Act 8:14-17 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: (15) Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (16) (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) (17) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
Question: Why didn’t Phillip lay hands on them to receive the Holy Ghost? Miracles and signs were following his ministry. Can anyone lay hands on someone to receive the Holy Spirit?
Finally (this could be an exhaustive study), can demonic spirits be transferred by the laying on hands?
The answer is YES and NO. If you are born again, you are under the blood of the Lamb BUT that does not protect you from being oppressed in your mind and body, or coming under attack of an unclean spirit if you willing agree with the person who is praying over you. Let me say it like this, you have men and women who claim to be saved and ministers of the gospel but they are not. They carry the title of Christianity but do not have the person of Christianity. They are trying to pretend to have the power of God working in them but are actually influenced by the powers of darkness and when they try to deliver someone, they wind up getting delivered. When someone like that lays hands on an unsuspecting believer – usually a novice – that person will begin to experience all types of spiritual attacks in their mind and body. That is why it is so important for young believers to have mature leaders in their life to help them get rooted and grounded in truth, rather than running all over the place trying to find the next spiritual moment.
Your pastor is there for a reason. If God has set you in a church where you are getting "sound doctrine," count that a blessing and undergird you pastor.
Ok, that is it for this lesson, only scratched the surface but this will give you something to go find in the Word of God and dig into. Let me say this, don’t be afraid of the devil, or of the things of the Spirit, but grow in grace, knowledge, understanding, wisdom and revelation of the Word before you try to swim in deep waters. Selah.
Homework Assignment:
Find 2 examples in the New Testament that pertain to laying of hands and briefly describe those examples as they relate to this subject.
Each example must be at least one paragraph – or more.
Heb 6:1-2 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, (2) Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
Principle 4
Laying On Of Hands
This principle has been the subject of many debates and discussions. What is the purpose of laying on of hands and who do I lay hands on? Can demonic spirits be transferred if the wrong person lays hands on you? These are sincere questions that require answers if the believer is to walk in confidence in this area of their life.
The laying on of hands is an action mentioned on numerous occasions in the Bible when there was a conferring of a blessing or authority. Moses ordained Joshua through the laying on of hands: Num 27:15–23, Deut 34:9. The Bible adds that Joshua was thereby "filled with the spirit of wisdom".
I am going to say this, there are so many passages we could refer to pertaining to this subject, but I want to, for foundational purpose, keep this in a synopsis model.
Jesus touched many that he healed but he healed many that he did not touch. So, laying on of hands is not the necessary model for someone to be healed. Jesus just spoke a word and the Centurions servant was healed without him even going to his house (Mat 8:8-13)
Jas 5:14-15 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: (15) And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
This is a verse that has been used to give credence to the laying on of hands, but it says nothing about laying on of hands. It says to anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord and to pray over them. Then is says the prayer of faith shall save the sick.
Let me give two examples here: In Acts 19:1-6 Paul laid hands on these believers and they received the Holy Ghost. In Acts 10:44-46 while Peter was speaking the word the Holy Ghost fell on them that heard the word. So, you would not necessarily have to have someone lay hands on you to receive the Holy Ghost. That would be not only a leading of the Holy Spirit but the work of the Spirit.
Act 8:14-17 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: (15) Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (16) (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) (17) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
Question: Why didn’t Phillip lay hands on them to receive the Holy Ghost? Miracles and signs were following his ministry. Can anyone lay hands on someone to receive the Holy Spirit?
Finally (this could be an exhaustive study), can demonic spirits be transferred by the laying on hands?
The answer is YES and NO. If you are born again, you are under the blood of the Lamb BUT that does not protect you from being oppressed in your mind and body, or coming under attack of an unclean spirit if you willing agree with the person who is praying over you. Let me say it like this, you have men and women who claim to be saved and ministers of the gospel but they are not. They carry the title of Christianity but do not have the person of Christianity. They are trying to pretend to have the power of God working in them but are actually influenced by the powers of darkness and when they try to deliver someone, they wind up getting delivered. When someone like that lays hands on an unsuspecting believer – usually a novice – that person will begin to experience all types of spiritual attacks in their mind and body. That is why it is so important for young believers to have mature leaders in their life to help them get rooted and grounded in truth, rather than running all over the place trying to find the next spiritual moment.
Your pastor is there for a reason. If God has set you in a church where you are getting "sound doctrine," count that a blessing and undergird you pastor.
Ok, that is it for this lesson, only scratched the surface but this will give you something to go find in the Word of God and dig into. Let me say this, don’t be afraid of the devil, or of the things of the Spirit, but grow in grace, knowledge, understanding, wisdom and revelation of the Word before you try to swim in deep waters. Selah.
Homework Assignment:
Find 2 examples in the New Testament that pertain to laying of hands and briefly describe those examples as they relate to this subject.
Each example must be at least one paragraph – or more.