Elementary Teaching 4
Milk Part 4
"Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands," Hebrews 6:1-2
Today, one of the more misunderstood if not under utilized practices of the apostles is the laying on of hands.
In the Old Testament, this act was used to set apart a person for leadership. But it was also done over sin-offerings before it was slaughtered.
In the New Testament, because Jesus was the last sin-offering, the apostles no longer laid their hands on animals, nor offered up animals to be slaughtered.
Blessing
But they still laid hands on people to set them apart and to anoint them for service to the Lord, such as in the "commissioning" of the seven in Acts 6:6, who basically acted as assistants to the apostles, and also as recorded in Acts 13, as they set Paul and Barnabas off in their mission.
Jesus also “laid hands” on little children to bless them.
Healing
Now instead of touching an animal to be offered up as a sacrifice the apostles laid hands over the sick for healing, just like Jesus have done.
This was one of the most commonly used ways and was often described as “laying hands on” as described by the gospel writers.
Baptizing
The apostles have done this also to pray over people in general and also to impart the gift of the Holy Spirit. As what we have talked about previously in the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Peter and John also did this in Samaria as recorded in Acts 8:9-25, where it was written that Simon the Sorcerer tried to buy this gift of the Holy Spirit.
Something Happened Along the Way
I am guessing that in the first years of the church this practice have been widely used, misunderstood or used incorrectly that the Apostle Paul in his letter to his disciple, the young Timothy wrote: "watch out", ... not to be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. 1 Timothy 5:22
Easy enough to, as people back in their time, such as the sorcerer, were already assuming wrong things about it.
2,000 Years Later
Today, two things have happened either this practice is not being used anymore. Or it is being abused.
Many denominations have stopped doing this or are using it either sparingly -- which shouldn't be the case.
Or on the other end, others are over using it -- which would be just as bad, if not worse.
Warning
Whichever is the case, let us head the Apostle Paul's words to not be hasty.
Let us spend time studying Scriptures and learning more about what this practice is all about, let us not just blindly follow what others have used this for (or not used this for). Let Scriptures and the Holy Spirit be our guide.
And lastly it is wise to heed 1st Timothy, to be not hasty less we share in the sins of others (BSB). In the NLT version, it says not to be in a hurry in appointing church leaders.
In these instances, there is a misuse or overuse.
"Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands," Hebrews 6:1-2
Today, one of the more misunderstood if not under utilized practices of the apostles is the laying on of hands.
In the Old Testament, this act was used to set apart a person for leadership. But it was also done over sin-offerings before it was slaughtered.
In the New Testament, because Jesus was the last sin-offering, the apostles no longer laid their hands on animals, nor offered up animals to be slaughtered.
Blessing
But they still laid hands on people to set them apart and to anoint them for service to the Lord, such as in the "commissioning" of the seven in Acts 6:6, who basically acted as assistants to the apostles, and also as recorded in Acts 13, as they set Paul and Barnabas off in their mission.
Jesus also “laid hands” on little children to bless them.
Healing
Now instead of touching an animal to be offered up as a sacrifice the apostles laid hands over the sick for healing, just like Jesus have done.
This was one of the most commonly used ways and was often described as “laying hands on” as described by the gospel writers.
Baptizing
The apostles have done this also to pray over people in general and also to impart the gift of the Holy Spirit. As what we have talked about previously in the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Peter and John also did this in Samaria as recorded in Acts 8:9-25, where it was written that Simon the Sorcerer tried to buy this gift of the Holy Spirit.
Something Happened Along the Way
I am guessing that in the first years of the church this practice have been widely used, misunderstood or used incorrectly that the Apostle Paul in his letter to his disciple, the young Timothy wrote: "watch out", ... not to be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. 1 Timothy 5:22
Easy enough to, as people back in their time, such as the sorcerer, were already assuming wrong things about it.
2,000 Years Later
Today, two things have happened either this practice is not being used anymore. Or it is being abused.
Many denominations have stopped doing this or are using it either sparingly -- which shouldn't be the case.
Or on the other end, others are over using it -- which would be just as bad, if not worse.
Warning
Whichever is the case, let us head the Apostle Paul's words to not be hasty.
Let us spend time studying Scriptures and learning more about what this practice is all about, let us not just blindly follow what others have used this for (or not used this for). Let Scriptures and the Holy Spirit be our guide.
And lastly it is wise to heed 1st Timothy, to be not hasty less we share in the sins of others (BSB). In the NLT version, it says not to be in a hurry in appointing church leaders.
In these instances, there is a misuse or overuse.
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