LAYING ON OF HANDS

The act of "laying on of hands" served several functions in the N.T. (a) Some parents brought their children that Jesus might lay his hands upon them (Mt. 19:13). This involved no magical ritual; rather, it was a symbolic act designed to invoke Jehovah's blessings upon these children. (b) Laying on of hands was sometimes employed in connection with healing miracles (Mk. 6:5; Lk. 4:40; 13:13). (c) Miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit were conveyed by the laying on of the apostles' hands (Acts 8:18; Acts 19:6; 2 Tim. 1:6). (d) The laying on of hands was employed to set men apart for special works in the Lord's service (Acts 13:3; 1 Tim. 4:14; 5:22).