We are the body of Christ here on earth. God wants to use you to demonstrate His love and care to a hurting world. A hug, a kind word or a prayer can change someone’s life forever. You might be the only “Jesus” that people encounter. That is why we need to be deliberate and intentional when we get a chance to influence peoples’ lives.

Hebrews 6:2 talks about the “Laying on of hands”. The laying on of hands is when we intentionally ‘touch’ peoples’ lives. If we look at the New Testament we see 6 reasons for the laying on of hands:

1. Healing

“They will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well” (Mark 16:18 NIV).

2. Receiving the Holy Spirit

“Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit”

(Acts 8:18).

3. Imparting Spiritual Gifts

4. Commissioning of worke

“Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you” (1 Timothy 4:14 NIV).

“For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established— that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me” (Romans 1:11-12 KJV).

4. Commissioning of workers

“So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off” (Acts 13:3 NIV).

5. Appointing deacons and elders

This act of laying hands on the deacons serves to publicly acknowledge these men to fill this office, to publicly commit them to God for the task and to transmit to the men the spiritual grace and wisdom that they will need to fill the office.

“They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them” (Acts 6:6 NIV)

6. For blessing

“And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them”

(Mark 10:16 NIV).

The Bible speaks of using hands to bless. When disciplining our children, the Word says specifically not to use our hands to slap or hit our children. Our hands should be symbols of love and nurture.

In conclusion, when we lay hands on people, it should be for a specific spiritual purpose. We cannot be casual about it. Neither should we allow people to lay hands on us casually.

“Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands” (1 Timothy 5:22).

4. Commissioning of work