The Ministry of The Laying on of Hands.
The ministry of the laying on of hands is one of the most powerful and most solemn moments in a Christian meeting. The reason being that God CANNOT do ANYTHING on the Earth except through MEN. Men He Himself has anointed to bless. This is consistent THROUGHOUT the Scriptures. Whenever God wants to bless His people, He uses MEN! Hence, when the man of God lays his hands to bless, it is as though God HIMSELF is touching you. His touch is God’s touch! Tangible power is released and many a time, people fall under the power of God. Don’t joke with such times. They are to be reverenced! What should take you 10 years to do NATURALLY could be shortened to a year simply by the power of God released via the laying on of hands! It is sacred! God in man blessing men!
A lack of understanding as touching this ministry could lead to scorn of same. It is not “deliverance” as some have ignorantly termed it. It is supernatural enablings by the Spirit within.
By the laying on of hands, you can initiate an infilling of the Spirit evidenced by speaking with other tongues, you can heal the sick in body, effecting a cure, you can stir up a dormant operation, you can instill an awareness about ministry left unattended to, you can even cause someone to see a spiritual or open vision! The ministry is given to bless FREELY.
The laying on of hands is a spiritual tradition common amongst God’s people. It is OUR thing. The first mention of the laying on of hands in the Bible is in Genesis 48
Genesis 48:14 (NKJV)
14 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.
It was by Jacob on Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. It carried such a significance that Joseph tried to use physical force to change the positions of Jacob’s hands, so that they could come on the right person (vs. 17-18). But note that by the laying on of hands, Jacob was able to speak forth the future of the lads. He spoke out their entire lives in prophetic utterance! This is a powerful act!
Also in Numbers 27:18
Numbers 27:18 (NKJV)
18 And the Lord said to Moses: “Take Joshua the son of Nun with you, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him;
This impartation was necessary because Joshua would assume the role of leadership after Moses. He needed to be equipped with supernatural endowments in order to stand in that office. The phrase “in whom is the Spirit” could be misleading to mean Joshua ALREADY had the spirit, and most misleading to imply that the Spirit was IN him (a New Testament reality). The issue, really, is in the translation by the NKJV.
Note that the word “is” is in italics. Italicized words in the KJV and NKJV translations of the Bible were not in the original Hebrew or Greek manuscripts but were added by the translators for easy reading or to complete a thought. So, let’s do without it.
18 And the Lord said to Moses: “Take Joshua the son of Nun with you, a man in whom the Spirit, and lay your hand on him;
The word “in whom” as used here is translated from the Hebrew word “asher” which has various meanings in the Hebrew Concordance, one of which means “according to.” It implies a choice. So, the text can be better read as
18 And the Lord said to Moses: “Take Joshua the son of Nun with you, (a man preferred and) chosen by the Spirit, and lay your hand on him;
It is simply to connect the ordination of Joshua to the choice of the Spirit and not imply that he already had the Spirit.
Moses did lay his hands on Joshua
Numbers 27:23 (NKJV)
23 And he laid his hands on him and inaugurated him, just as the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses.
The result?
Deuteronomy 34:9 (NKJV)
9 NOW Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, FOR Moses had laid his hands on him; so the children of Israel heeded him, and did as the Lord had commanded Moses.
Joshua was full of the spirit of wisdom and had the obedience of the people! Notice the “now.” It implies that these characteristics were not present in Joshua TILL Moses had laid hands on him. This was a supernatural enabling initiated by the laying on of hands!
Jesus was also fond of laying his hands to bless
Matthew 19:13-15 (NKJV)
13 Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” 15 And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.
Mark 10:13-16 (NKJV)
13 Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” 16 And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.
Obviously, the parents of these children, being Jews, understood the significance of the laying on of hands. They knew the potency in His touch. They knew that supernatural impartations could be made by the laying on of Jesus’ hands. His touch was no ordinary touch! He had been anointed to bless!
Luke 24:50-51 (NKJV)
50 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51 Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven.
Here, Jesus lifted up His hands and blessed His disciples.
Also in healing
Luke 4:40 (NKJV)
40 When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and HE LAID HIS HANDS ON EVERY ONE OF THEM AND HEALED THEM.
Here, Jesus healed the sick and diseased by the laying on of hands.
Luke 13:10-13 (NKJV)
10 Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. 12 But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” 13 And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
The woman was made straight when Jesus laid His hands on her. Healing power was released from Jesus’ hands and it was potent enough to effect a healing and a cure!
Mark 8:22-25 (NKJV)
22 Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him. 23 So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything. 24 And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees, walking.” 25 Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly.
Here, Jesus spat into His eyes first, then laid hands on him. Ability to heal was in both!
What about the believer today?
You must understand that in the Old Testament, while they had the Spirit UPON, they NEVER had the Spirit WITHIN. They could do things supernaturally due to a supernatural enabling UPON their lives but this ALWAYS came and LEFT. It ALWAYS lifted. We have something better in the New Testament.
The Spirit and His enablings will remain FOREVER in the New Testament
John 14:16 (NKJV)
16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you FOREVER
“Forever” here is rendered “to the age” in the original Greek manuscript. Till eternity!
Romans 11:29 (NKJV)
29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
Irrevocable!
A man who believes in the Gospel of Christ receives the indwelling presence of the Spirit. The Spirit and such a one become ONE at that very instance.
1 Corinthians 6:17 (NKJV)
17 But he who is joined to the Lord is ONE SPIRIT with Him.
The Spirit comes with ALL His attributes and becomes united with such a one. They share SAME characteristics. Same ability. The power of the Spirit is infused into such a one’s activities. His touch is no longer a normal one. It has now been infused with tangible power!
Paul says something in Ephesians 1 that we must pay close attention to.
Ephesians 1:3 (NKJV)
3 Blessed (eulogétos in the Greek — “well spoken of”) be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed (eulogeó— spoken well of) us with every spiritual blessing (eulogia — adulation, praise, good speaking) in the heavenly places in Christ
So, in Christ, God has spoken well of us! He has said good stuff about us. He has spoken out loud the pleasant attributes/characteristics of our spirits in Christ! This chapter lists all these blessings and tangible power is included (Ephesians 1:19-20). In fact, this is the GREATEST concentration of the word for power in the entire Bible! Paul used five Greek words to describe the kind of power which is at work in the believer!
Ephesians 1:19 (NKJV)
19 and what is the exceeding (huperballó- that which transcends, surpasses, exceeds, excels or goes above what is needed or required) greatness (megethos- greatness, vastness, magnitude, greatness) of His power (dunamis- explosive force, might, ability, efficacy, energy, deeds-showing dynamite-like power) toward (eis -in) us who believe, according to the working (energeia- operation, strength, effectual working) of His mighty (kratos- vigorous, mighty) power (ischus- possessive force which overcomes immediate resistance)
Hear Jesus,
Mark 16:17-18 (NKJV)
17 And these signs (sémeion in the Greek — “supernatural indications”) will follow THOSE WHO BELIEVE: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents (figurative, referring to the works of darkness); and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will LAY HANDS ON THE SICK, AND THEY WILL RECOVER.”
He spoke well about our hands too! Glory! Our hands have been infused with SUPERNATURAL ABILITY, so much so that they are potent enough to drive out sickness! The ability that is ours in Christ can be communicated via the laying on of hands. Notice also that there are NO qualifications for this ministry except faith in Christ. So as many has have believed CAN lay hands! The men whom God uses to bless on the Earth today are men indwelt by His Spirit!
We see the sick healed via this ministry by the disciples in the Book of Acts
Acts 3:6-7 (NKJV)
6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” 7 And HE TOOK HIM BY THE RIGHT HAND and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
Although the laying on of hands is not CLEARLY stated here, it is implied. Peter’s hands were involved in the process.
Acts 28:8 (NKJV)
8 And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and HE LAID HIS HANDS ON HIM and healed him.
Here, we see the Apostle Paul heal Publius’ father by laying hands on him.
Not only so,
Acts 8:14-17 (NKJV)
14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they LAID HANDS ON THEM, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Through the laying on of hands, men received the infilling of the Spirit!
Acts 9:17-18 (NKJV)
17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and LAYING HIS HANDS ON HIM he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and WAS BAPTIZED.
Saul received the infilling of the Spirit when Ananias placed his hands on him.
Acts 19:6 (NKJV)
6 And when Paul had LAID HANDS ON THEM, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. 7 Now the men were about twelve in all.
Again, an infilling recorded. This time, evidenced by tongues and prophesy! This again was initiated by the laying on of hands! This means that this ministry can jump-start dormant gifts, improve their functionality!
1 Timothy 4:14 (NKJV)
14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.
Paul reminded Timothy not to neglect the gift which is in him. The word “neglect” as used here is “ameleó” in the Greek. It is a compound verb comprising of two other Greek words “A” (meaning “not”) and “mélō” (meaning “have concern, be affected”). It refers to the action of treating a thing without concern and viewing it as being without significance, i.e. without perceived value. So, Paul is telling Timothy that something valuable is in him, it has GREAT significance. He is not to take it lightly or disregard it!
Paul calls this valuable thing a gift
The word “gift” as used here is “charisma” in the Greek. It refers to a supernatural endowment or miraculous faculty. It is not impalpable. It is tangible! And this supernatural endowment was initiated in Timothy by the laying on of hands of the eldership. Hands were laid!
Romans 1:11 (NKJV)
11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established—12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
Paul, in his Epistle to the Roman Church, makes known his intention to see them that he might IMPART to them some spiritual gift. The result? They would be established! This impartation would happen via the laying on of hands. So, via the ministry of the laying on of hands, supernatural enablings can be imparted.
It is also HIGHLY instrumental in the ordination of ministry gifts
Acts 13:1-3 (NKJV)
1 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for THE WORK to which I have called them.”3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and LAID HANDS ON THEM, they sent them away.
Used in Acts 6 in the appointment of ministry of helps
Acts 6:3-6 (NKJV)
3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, LAID HANDS ON THEM.
It is on the basis of this that Paul, in writing to Timothy says, “Do not lay hands on anyone hastily” (1 Timothy 5:11). It’s referring to ORDINATION of men into offices in the Church and not the ministry of laying on of hands to bless. That can be done WHENEVER and HOWEVER (keeping in step with solemnity). But don’t hurriedly give a novice, an inexperienced fellow a position of authority in Church (1 Timothy 3:6)
Now, having examined the ministry of the laying on of hands and it’s various functions, the next question would be: “How can I receive VERY WELL when this ministry is done towards me?”
How to receive mightily from the ministry of the laying on of hands.
1) Come with expectations.
What exactly do you want? Pa Hagin in his book “The Healing Anointing,” told us about a young man who came to one of his meetings with so much desire in his heart to be healed. He had come to the meeting so frequently and never got healed that he even began to irritate Pa Hagin. Pa Hagin said he felt like he was laying hands on a door knob anytime he laid hands on him (he was VERY unresponsive). But this guy persisted and kept attending Pa Hagin’s meetings. One day, he arrived the meeting venue so early that the doors were still shot and he had to sleep outside till the meeting began. He told the door keeper how he came VERY expectant that day and would receive mightily when hands were laid on him. As the meeting began, Pa Hagin did not even have to lay hands on him when fire jumped out of his hand and hit the guy, he fell backwards but didn’t hit the ground immediately, he floated in mid air! Then he rolled down unto the floor! He was healed! It really is all about desire!
2) Honour the minister
You must NEVER dishonor the minister, in spite of his external flaws. He is God’s Man, regardless! Put all sentiments aside (“He is my classmate” “We are age mates” “He is my younger brother”) No o! This one has been anointed and equipped of God to bless you! You MUST realize that! Dishonor is SO COSTLY than it rendered Jesus’ power to heal impotent IN His own hometown! He could do NO mighty works there! (Mark 6:1-6). It was easier to heal anyone else but His own people! This seems to be the case, even till today.
Notice also that where there is dishonor, there is unbelief and only a heart of faith receives. The hearts of dishonourable men refuse to receive. There is no problem with the power and the goodness of God but with the heart of the recipient. Unbelief constrains the power of God. I’ve noticed in my few years of active ministry that folks who honour the minister tend to receive more than those who don’t.
Let me share a testimony with you from our Soteria meeting held in 2018. I had just finished a teaching titled “What Happened From The Cross To The Throne” and explaining how that the finality of Christ’s work for sin is in Him indwelling the believer today. Men rejoiced and I went on to minister to certain folks in the congregation that evening. As I ministered to folks who were present in the meeting via the laying on of hands, I felt led to minister to a certain young lady at the extreme right corner of the hall where the meeting held. It was a gentle nudge. I obeyed the leading. At the end of the evening session, she came to me all smiling and excited. She greeted me and then asked WHY I laid hands on her. “I was led to” I told her. She screamed and rejoiced! I was so confused at that point (lol). Then she explained that seconds before I laid hands on her to bless her, she had HAD a spiritual vision (a vision seen with your eyes closed) of Jesus in the hall, He came towards her and laid hands on her. And AT THAT VERY MOMENT, I came and also laid hands on her EXACTLY WHERE JESUS HAD DONE SO EARLIER! I was stunned. I didn’t even know all that was going on. I simply followed a nudge in my Spirit and bless God, my Spirit is NEVER wrong! Jesus was bringing to her consciousness that He would bless her in the meeting but it would be by HIS MINISTER. He was IN ME blessing her and she received mightily! I was the “Jesus” she saw! I then gave her accurate words of knowledge and wisdom and we exchanged numbers to keep in touch. So you see, you are NEVER wrong to actually reckon the minister’s touch as Jesus’ touch because it is! Honour him as you would Jesus!
3) Receive instructions during the ministry. E.g. “Lift your hands,” “close your eyes,” “say after me.” Never despise these instructions, they are to aid your receptivity.
4) Avoid distractions as much as possible: You CANNOT afford to be distracted in times when hands are being laid on you. Don’t look around. Be praying. Tell God what you want and see the minister as God’s answer to your prayers when he lays hands on you.
5) Know beforehand what to expect before hands are laid on you. Tangible power is being ministered to you. You SHOULD expect perhaps a tingling sensation all over your body, heat, a cool breeze, falling etc. Don’t let this freak you out. It’s SUPPOSED to happen. Power influences states.
6) Actually receive when you are ministered to
This is where so many people miss it. Many do not receive when they are ministered to. They usually expect something external FROM them to happen. The Truth is, EVERY TIME hands are laid, power is released. Every single time! Power strong enough to knock you off your feet and keep you on the floor for hours. Now the issue is with the recipient. Is he conscious of this and does he ACTUALLY receive? God is not going to receive for you, you’ll be the one to receive BY YOURSELF. Many have asked me why some fall under the power when hands are laid on them and others don’t.
Well, I believe it all has to do with varying heart postures. One has positioned his heart to receive, the other hasn’t (“I will never fall” & the likes). Hence, the first receives MIGHTILY while the other doesn’t. Get this and get this WELL: When hands are laid on YOU to receive, YOU are the one who is going to ACTUALLY receive! The power of God is non coercive but will flow MIGHTILY where it is given free course. YOU have to receive what is being communicated to you spiritually! It is YOU who would allow God’s power to overwhelm YOU, and not the minister or God!
7) Be full of faith afterwards: This is needed ESPECIALLY when you don’t “feel anything” after hands are laid on you. Don’t let it weigh you down! Hands were laid! An impartation was made! Regardless of how you feel! Praise God for this instead.
In our meetings, we’ve seen TANGIBLE demonstrations of the power of God by this ministry. I mean TANGIBLE! We’ve seen asthmas disappear, tumours shrink, fevers dissipate, a cracked skull joined back together supernaturally, demons cast out. In fact, in one of our meetings where I ministered via the laying on of hands, the power of God was SO STRONG that it split a window in half! Agbarawa! (there is power!) and we are VERY conscious of it in our meetings.
Folks, the ministry of the laying on of hands is REAL and very much tangible in our days, both in the giving and in the receiving. You have been overequipped to bless, no pre-qualifications attached! Your sufficiency is of God (2 Corinthians 3:4-6)! Go out and do, fearing NOTHING! Remember, WE will only see what WE want to see, the manifestation of the Spirit has been given to EACH ONE. (1 Corin 12:7). As for me, I have made up my mind not to see any less in my meetings than the Word has promised that I should see!
Say this:
“God is my Father! I am what He says I am! I have what He says I have! I can do what His Word says I can do! My hands are blessed, equipped to wrought the power of God and I will, here on the Earth! I also am receptive to ministry done towards me at all times and I always receive mightily from same! The Word is ALL reality! The Word is MY reality! I am blessed!”
© Josh Banks Ministries. 2017.
