Elementary Principles of Christ | Laying on of Hands

In this post, I want to continue talking about what the Bible calls the - Elementary Principles of Christ. This post is a continuation of an earlier post, so I urge you to read the earlier posts before you read this one. (Read | Repentance from dead Works) (Read | Water Baptism) (Read | Baptism of the Holy Spirit)

I believe it is important for every Christian to get a hold of these elementary truths of Christ (Hebrews 6:1-2): 

• Repentance from dead works and of faith towards God 
• Doctrines of Baptisms 
• Laying on of hands 
• The Resurrection of the Dead 
• Eternal Judgement 

In this post we will talk about the Laying on of hands. It is amazing how the Laying on of Hands is an elementary principle of Christ. Every young Believer should be walking in the reality of this Truth. 

Jesus Christ said: And these signs will follow those who believe. In my name they will cast out demons, they will speak in new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick and they will recover. (Mark 16:17-8)

God said that if we believe what the scripture says and lay our hands on the sick they will recover. Let me ask a simple question. What do you do when you see an unbeliever sick? What do you do when you see the blind, deaf, dumb and the lame on the road? 

Do you say: O poor thing?

But God says: Go lay your hands on them in my Name and they will recover. 

Jesus said: Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, He will do also. (John 14:12). What were the works that Jesus did? The scriptures says:

Then Jesus answered and said to them: Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the (spiritually) poor have the Gospel preached to them. (Luke 7:22)

Every believer has the power to make the blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear and the dead raised. Let us look at some examples of Jesus Christ and His miracles. This is exactly how we should respond when we encounter similar situations. 

1 When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. 2 And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”

3 Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. (Matthew 8:1-3)

So the next time you see someone suffering from a skin disease. I encourage you to be bold, lay your hands on him and say: In the Name of Jesus, be cleansed. Believe that the leprosy will be cleansed at your command. 

9 Now when He had departed from there, He went into their synagogue. 10 And behold, there was a man who had a withered hand. And they asked Him, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—that they might accuse Him. 

11 Then He said to them, “What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? 12 Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” 13Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and it was restored as whole as the other. 14 Then the Pharisees went out and plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him. (Matthew 12:9-14)

In these scriptures we see how we ought to respond to the crippled and handicapped. When you see a Man who has withered hand, say: In the Name of Jesus, Stretch out your hand. When you see a Man who cannot walk, say: In the Name of Jesus, rise up and walk. This is power we have in Christ. 

Peter exercised his authority in Christ similarly, in the book of Acts. 

1 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; 3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. 4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” 5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” 7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God. (Acts 3:1-9)

11 Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd. 12 And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” 14 Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” 15 So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother. (Luke 7:11-15) 

This is the how believers ought to respond when they encounter the dead. When you see a dead body say: In the Name of Jesus, arise. 

Peter did just that. 

38 And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. 39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 41 Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord. 43 So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with Simon, a tanner. (Acts 9:38-43)

Another important thing we must understand as believers is that we must not use this power deceitfully for financial gain. Paul told Timothy: Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure. (1 Timothy 5:22) 

Let all your actions be motivated by Love and Compassion. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. (Matthew 10:8)

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