Get Your Hands Off Me? (Building Block 3)

Sept. 9

Read: Acts 9:12, 19:6, 2 Tim 1:6-7, Heb. 6:1-2

Get Your Hands Off Me? (Building Block 3)

“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” - Paul to Timothy (2 Tim 1:6-7)

Community and super-natural work of the Holy Spirit are central to the Christian faith. They are the next building block that is listed in the Hebrews 6:1-2 passage, it is the next “elementary thing”. When you see how closely linked the Holy Spirit and baptism are, it it is not surprising that “the laying on of hands” is the next thing to be mentioned. There are two really clear things that come from this phrase.

First off, the Christian journey is NOT one that is solitary or alone… and it is not one that can be carried out “virtually” all of the time. As great as phone calls, emails, and text messages may be… you can’t “lay hands on someone” virtually. You need to be there with them, physically present, and actually reaching out to touch them. I know this may seem a little “odd” or “mystical” … and it is… but it is also BIBLICAL. If you are curious enough, just look up the idea ( lay hands on) and you will see in the scriptures how often this takes place. God works powerfully through his people, and often times He does so when they are physically together and connected. This is not formulaic, but nevertheless true. Think of how many times Jesus interacted with people while healing them… touching their ears or eyes before the Lord restored hearing and sight to them. I will be the first to admit that someone laying hands on me can be … well… uncomfortable in a way; but I know that more genuine and sincere fellow Christ followers are often times used by God to be the person delivering what the Lord has “cooked up” by the laying on of hands. Just read the passages above among others to see this trend.

The second thing is that all of the instances of the “laying on of hands” have the Holy Spirit as the common thread. Whether it is the use of a Spiritual gift, the receiving of the Holy Spirit, the identifying of a Spiritual gift on others, or a miraculous healing… they all involve the supernatural and power work of the Lord and His Holy Spirit. What is shocking then is this: Hebrews 6:1-2 has this “laying on of hands” as a “elementary doctrine” and “foundational thing” for the people of God. This is not seen as something that is reserved for a few people, or only for the “professional holy people”. Nope… it is a foundational idea for ALL of us! Just like repentance, forgiveness, and baptism - the “laying on of hand” and receiving of the Holy Spirit and your spirit giftedness is a foundational starting point. It should not see “odd” or barely ever be spoken of; rather it ought to be a common and familiar idea for us as Christians.

This means that God will ask you to “lay hands” on people at some point in your walk with him. He wants you to be listening to His voice as he leads you. This “laying on of hands” may be a matter of community and fellowship, or raising and sending leaders… it may be a matter of healing, or being sent to use and develop your own gifts. You may be the person God is using to bring these truths to others - like Paul, Peter, and Timothy - or you may be on the receiving end. The point is we should be looking for these opportunities and expecting them to happen… this is “baseline” Christianity. This experience will only happen when you are actually with people and in community. This is one of those things that is only going to happen when we are actually with one another and those whom the Lord has called us to… even if it means that sometimes at church they pray for us and it is a bunch of sweaty hands pressing on our shoulders! LOL. Love you guys. - JDP