The Laying on of Hands

Hands, originally uploaded by Shirley Buxton.

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On Sunday in Chula Vista, CA., the ministry laid hands on my grandson Joel Buxton, and he was sent forth as an ordained minister of the gospel.

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Throughout the world–even the church world–there is a strong possibility that the laying on of hands has not been fully appreciated, and, too often, has even been totally misunderstood. Blessings, healings, the Holy Ghost and ordination may be conferred by the laying on of hands. Consider these scriptures:

“For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.” – Acts 8:17

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. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. – 1 Tim. 4:14-15

Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. – 2Tim.1:6

Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits. – Heb.6:1-3

In addition to the spiritual significance of such actions, the scientific medical community has come to acknowledge what the Bible teaches and what believers have contended, that is, that miraculous healings may be accomplished through the laying on of hands. Understand that no man can heal, but God has chosen to use these methods as His instruments of healing and blessings. In recent years, stringently controlled medical studies have shown incontrovertible proof of the spiritual power of faith.

There is precedent, even in the Old Testament, for God’s men to be commissioned and empowered by the delegated authority

“…laid his hands on Joshua and commissioned him as the Lord instructed through Moses” Numbers 27:23.

“Now Joshua the son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands upon him.” Deuteronomy 34:9

And these from the New Testament:

“…and they prayed and laid their hands upon them.” Acts 6:6

Similarly, when the Church at Antioch sent out Paul and Barnabas,

“…after they had fasted and prayed, they placed and laid their hands on them, and sent them off.” Acts 13:3 RSV

On Sunday night, following the precedent set in God’s holy Word, Joel was ordained into the ministry, and he and Aisha Buxton have been sent into the great harvest field.

As Jerry and I grow older, and as we reckon with the certain knowledge that our zenith lies in the distant past, and that the fresh mantle of anointing and ministry is being transferred to others, I rest easy. For around us are righteous children, other family, friends and strangers on whom hands have been laid, and on whom that rare, ethereal anointing has been placed.

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More comments and pictures of the ordination service are here.