So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders. (Acts 14:3)        

The doctrine of the laying on of hands is the fourth principle in the foundations of the Christian faith. Laying on of hands is an act in which one person places his hands on the body of another person with a definite spiritual purpose, and is usually accompanied by prayer or prophecy.   

Laying on of hands in the Old Testament was used for many different purposes such as the transference of spiritual blessing or authority, [Transference means that something spiritual flows from the one laying on hands to the one he is touching.] For example, laying on of hands was used on the Levites who were ordained by God to serve the congregation of Israel as spiritual leaders. In this position they represented the people before God.

The laying on of hands was confirmation by the people of the Levite's authority before God. You are to bring the Levites before the LORD, and the Israelites are to lay their hands on them. (Numbers 8:10)

As Moses approached the end of his earthly ministry, he asked the Lord to appoint a new leader over Israel. Laying on of hands was used as a sign of that change of leadership. So the LORD said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership, and lay your hand on him. Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the entire assembly and commission him in their presence. Give him some of your authority so the whole Israelite community will obey him. (Numbers 27:18-19) Moses did as the LORD commanded him.

He took Joshua and had him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole assembly, and laid his hands on him and commissioned him, as the LORD instructed him. The results that this laying on of hands produced in Joshua are recorded in Deuteronomy. Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the LORD had commanded Moses. (Deuteronomy 34:9) Moses laying hands on Joshua was important both for Joshua and for the whole congregation of Israel. By this act, Moses transferred to Joshua a measure of the wisdom and honour which he had received from God. Moses also confirmed to the people God's selection of Joshua as the new leader.

The New Testament records five general purposes for the laying on of hands. One is supernatural signs such as when Jesus practiced laying on of hands in His ministry. At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. (Luke 4:40)

In His final message to the disciples at the close of His earthly ministry, Jesus listed supernatural signs which were to accompany the preaching of the Gospel. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well. (Mark 16:17-18) One of these supernatural signs was the laying on of hands through which God would heal the sick and perform other miracles. Mark 16:17-18 confirms that this practice was to continue after the end of Christ's earthly ministry.     

The laying on of hands in the name of Jesus is used to minister physical healing to the sick. The person who lays his hands on one who is sick transfers the supernatural healing power of God. Sometimes the sick person actually feels the power of God in his body. At other times there is no feeling at all, but this does not mean healing will not occur. The laying on of hands is an act of faith and obedience to God's Word.

Sometimes complete healing is received instantly as soon as hands are laid on the sick and other times healing comes gradually. It is important to instruct those seeking healing concerning the importance of maintaining faith until their healing is complete.        

The book of Acts records how God used the laying on of hands by believers to perform miraculous healings and other supernatural signs confirming His Word: 

So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders. (Acts 14:3)

Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 9:17)

His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. (Acts 28:8)

Another purpose of laying on of hands is for baptism in the Holy Spirit. You may remember us this from our discussion about baptisms. However laying on of hands is not the only way people receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. In the upper room in Jerusalem and in the house of Cornelius people received the experience without anyone laying hands on them. But on the basis of these examples, it is Scriptural for those seeking baptism in the Holy Spirit to be ministered to through the laying on of hands.         

Another purpose for the laying on of hands is to impart spiritual gifts. Paul wrote to Timothy, “Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.” (I Timothy 4:14) and again Paul refers again to Timothy's spiritual experience in II Timothy. 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. (II Timothy 1:6) Laying on of hands was combined with the gift of prophecy to direct, encourage, and strengthen Timothy to fulfill his God-given ministry.          

Another purpose for laying on of hands is to commission Christian workers.  "Commission" means to authorize, delegate, or send on a mission.  As spiritual leaders were waiting before the Lord in Antioch they laid hands on Saul and Barnabas to commission them for the work ahead. 

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. (Acts 13:2-4) 

The Bible indicates God had already spoken privately to Paul and Barnabas about the work He wanted them to do before He spoke publicly to the church leaders.  The public revelation was a confirmation of the call they already had received.  They took time for fasting and prayer, and then once the church leaders had laid on of hands on them they were sent forth.

It is not Scriptural to baptize infants, as they cannot repent or believe which are the requirements for baptism. I’m not saying it’s ‘wrong’, just that it’s not Scriptural, but through the laying on of hands, infants can be dedicated and committed to God's protection, guidance, and blessing.  And He took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. (Mark 10:16)    

The New Testament provides a word of caution regarding laying on of hands.  Do not be in a hurry in the laying on of hands. (I Timothy 5:22,The Amplified Bible)  Because an act of spiritual transference occurs when you lay hands on someone or they lay hands on you, it is wise to be cautious in using this practice.  If the person laying on hands is not spiritually qualified, the practice is not effective. The Bible is specific about who is qualified to lay hands on another to impart spiritual benefit. Believers for example, may lay hands on others. 

And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” (Mark 16:17-18) 

We discussed what makes a person qualified when we looked at the principles of repentance from dead works and faith toward God.     Pastors and Elder of the church may also lay on hands. The high standards set for Pastors and Elders, are recorded in I Timothy3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9.      The five purposes for the laying on of hands in the New Testament are:

-Supernatural signs      
-Baptism of the Holy Spirit       
-Imparting spiritual gifts
-Commissioning Christian workers       
-Dedication of infants   

Jesus indicated the practice of laying on of hands was to be part of the ministry of the Church making the understanding and using of laying on hands very important. The laying on of hands is a spiritual practice missing in many churches today, but consider the impact on the spread of the Gospel if every believer was effective in the laying on of hands for healing and miracles.  And consider the impact on the spread of the Gospel if spiritual gifts were being imparted and Christian workers commissioned on a regular basis through laying on of hands.      

When God decides to move in your life, He goes big.  Those who know us know that my wife Connie and I have devoted the last 3 years of our lives to the adoption of a little girl.  Her name is Lydia, and she is my niece.  For reasons I will not go into here she was placed into permanent custody of the Provence of Nova Scotia and we began to move towards adoption.  

During this time my father passed away and we moved to British Columbia to be near my mother who helped us move into our 'forever home', a house perfect for our new family.  Grandma would live upstairs, while Connie, Lydia and myself would live downstairs.  We settled in and began to unravel the miles of red tape involved in an inter-provincial adoption. 

We took the courses, filed the files, read the books, and saw the counselors.  We jumped through hoops and prayed, oh how we prayed; not only us but 2 families and 4 churches stretching from sea to sea prayed for us and this little girl.  Catholic, Pentecostal, Full Gospel, denomination had nothing to do with it because it was all about the love for a little girl.  

In the end, we did not get her.  As much as she means to us, it was not in God's will.  Again I will not go into details here as to why we were denied I will not play the blame game.  Those who were responsible are forgiven, no resentments.  God did have a purpose though.  Through our struggles inter-provincial policies were changed to prevent the pain and suffering my family went through.  We still grieve for Lydia, but we have to believe that God has greater plans for her then us, and that knowledge helps us bear the heartache.  Even so, looking into the bedroom we had for her still rips at my heart.

We had a week to settle into this knowledge before the next shock wave hit our little family.  My mother had decided it was time to move back to Nova Scotia to be closer to her sister and mother.  Our little family on the west coast was to shrink even more, from 4 to 3 to 2.  God was calling her there and believe me when I say I completely understand.  When God calls you to do something, even something as huge as pulling up roots and moving thousands of miles away, you cannot deny His will.  So now we are helping her sell her furniture and plan her move so she can be back east by September.

A week after my mother broke the news to us we were rocked in church to find out that the lead pastor of our church was resigning.  He felt God was calling him to help another church in B.C. that had it`s lead pastor retire.  In his sermon he spoke of God calling not only him but all of us to "get out of the boat", get out of our comfort zones and move into ministry the way God is individually calling each of us.  My wife felt the call burn into her heart.  A call to change and step out of where she felt comfortable and safe.  

No, she is not leaving me.

She felt we were called to visit another church farther from home.  A much smaller church were we would be more needed.  So a week later we found ourselves in a new church with our fleeces thrown wide looking for God's direction.  And direct us He did.  We felt the Holy Spirit move in that small church in a subtle but profound way.  We are needed here.  This is where God is calling us.

One month ago we were happy and comfortable.  Expectant parents with Grandma living upstairs,  a great church family lead by an amazing pastor. Life in our church was easy we could pick and choose what ministries we wanted to be apart of.  

Now all of our expectations have been rocked.  God has stripped away what we thought our lives would be like and offered us an invitation, an opportunity to step up and serve with abandon.  Serving Him not as we like, but as we are needed.  

When God moves in your life it can be in  a whisper or in a roar, but one thing it will certainly mean. Your life will never be the same.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

Today as promised we will be looking at the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Jesus left His followers with a responsibility to extend the Gospel message to the ends of the earth. The power of the Holy Spirit would help them fulfill this task. Part of this "power" of the Holy Spirit was special gifts which the Holy Spirit gives believers to equip them to minister effectively.

These spiritual gifts are not the same as natural talents.  Natural talents and abilities are given at the time of physical birth and/or developed by natural efforts during the course of a lifetime. They can be used to minister in the church, but are different than spiritual gifts. Spiritual gifts come from the Holy Spirit, and each gift has a purpose. 

To equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. (Ephesians 4:12-15)

This passage reveals spiritual gifts are for:
-Perfecting of the saints.
-Promoting the work of the ministry.
-Edifying Christ and the church.

The end objectives of these gifts are that we will:
-Be united in the faith.
-Develop our knowledge of Christ.
-Develop in perfection, with Christ as our model.
-Become stable, not deceived by false doctrines.
-Mature spiritually in Christ.

I have to stop and say that I am only going by what Scripture tells me. I have no personal or denominational agenda here. Some churches claim that all of the gifts of the Holy Spirit are not for modern believers. They teach that some of the powerful gifts like miracles and speaking in other tongues were only for the early Church.  The answer to their objection is this: The Lord gave ministry gifts to accomplish certain purposes in the church. He will not withdraw any of these gifts without the purposes being accomplished. Are all our churches in unity? Do we have full knowledge of Christ? Are we all walking in perfection, stable, and mature? Have we stopped false doctrines from penetrating our churches? The answer to these questions is "no.” All the purposes of the ministry gifts have not been fulfilled. For this reason, all the gifts which God gave to accomplish these objectives are still operative today.

The Bible also says that the "gifts and callings of God are without repentance" (Romans 11:29). That means God will not change His mind and take back a gift or a calling He has given. The Holy Spirit gives each believer at least one spiritual gift (I Peter 4:10; Ephesians 4:7, I Corinthians 12:7).  It is important for us to discover and use our spiritual gift in the church and I don't just mean in the church building, I mean in as true believers. The discovery of your spiritual gifts and develop the fruit of the Spirit is important in order to function effectively in the Body of Christ, and I hope to speak on that topic another day.

The Holy Spirit develops in the life of the believer qualities which the Bible calls "spiritual fruit.” The fruit of the Holy Spirit refers to the nature of the Holy Spirit being evident in the life of a believer. God desires that all the fruit be evident in the life of each Christian.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23) The development of these qualities is another important function of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer.

There are Biblical guidelines for receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Repent and be baptized, this will put you in a position of spiritual receptiveness. Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38) 

Believe in your heart that receiving baptism in the Holy Spirit is for you. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call. (Acts 2:39) 

Desire the Holy Spirit in your life. On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. (John 7:37-39) 

The Holy Spirit has already been given. It was given to the Church on the Day of Pentecost. Realize that because it is a gift, you can do nothing to earn it. He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.(Galatians 3:14) Begin to praise and thank God for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Never be afraid to speak the language of the Spirit as you are praising and worshiping God.

Speaking in Tongues is an important part of being baptized in the Holy Spirit. Of all the times Scripture mentions being baptized in the Holy Spirit the only sign that appears in all of them is the speaking in tongues. As you praise Him audibly you will first experience stammering lips. If you want to be baptized in the Holy Spirit then you need to yield to the Holy Spirit and He will speak through you words foreign to your understanding. This is the sign of Holy Spirit baptism. Very well then, with foreign lips and strange tongues God will speak to this people. (Isaiah 28:11) All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:4)