The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.  – James 5:16

The fourth “elementary truth” of the Christian faith is the laying on of hands. This is the primary method God used throughout the scriptures to impart His blessings. It is the same method He uses today.

The supernatural gifts He imparts through the laying on of hands include a) special anointing and gifting for His service (commissioning); b) healing and miracles; c) infilling or baptism of the Holy Spirit; d) general blessing; e) combinations of the above.

When it comes to commissioning someone for ministry — in church leadership, missions, etc. — we are not to be hasty. Scripture is clear that this is to be done after prayer and careful evaluation, and with wisdom and discernment. Paul said, “Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin.” (I Timothy 5:22)

However, scripture also demonstrates that Jesus and the apostles were quick to lay hands on those who demonstrated faith and sought healing, the Holy Spirit, and other blessings from God.

This method of personal connection through the laying on of hands dates back thousands of years to the Old Testament. It is also common in the New Testament. And in my personal experience I have seen God’s blessings and anointing be imparted through the laying on of hands.

The first time I remember God working through the laying on of hands was almost 40 years ago. During a prayer meeting several of us were at the front of the group when someone suggested we pray for those who needed healing.

As soon as the suggestion about healing prayer came up, a young man came forward and asked us to pray for him. A day or two earlier, this fellow had broken his thumb while laying concrete block on his job. He had been to a doctor who x-rayed it and told him it was broken. The doctor wrapped his hand with a metal brace on his thumb. As a result, he couldn’t work.

When he came forward, three of us began to pray for him. To our surprise he yelled out that he had been healed and he immediately tore off his bandages and brace. I was so shocked I almost told him to stop taking off the bandage! (He obviously had more faith than I did.)

I haven’t seen things like this on a daily basis, but I’m confident the holdup isn’t God’s doing. It’s my lack of faith… Jesus and the apostles regularly did the miraculous. And I believe God wants to do amazing things — consistently — through us as well. Based on the “early and late rains” mentioned in James 5, I believe we will see more laying on of hands and experience more of God’s supernatural manifestation.

Here are some biblical examples of the laying on of hands…

Anointing, Gifting & Commissioning
So the LORD said to Moses, “Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him; and have him stand before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation, and commission him in their sight. “You shall put some of your authority on him, in order that all the congregation of the sons of Israel may obey him. “Moreover, he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before the LORD. At his command they shall go out and at his command they shall come in, both he and the sons of Israel with him, even all the congregation.” Moses did just as the LORD commanded him; and he took Joshua and set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation. Then he laid his hands on him and commissioned him, just as the LORD had spoken through Moses.   – Numbers 27:18-23

Now Joshua the son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; and the sons of Israel listened to him and did as the LORD had commanded Moses.  – Deuteronomy 34:9

“Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. “But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid  their hands on them. The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.  – Acts 6:3-7

While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus.  – Acts 13:2-4

Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery.  – I Timothy 4:14

For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 
   - II Timothy 1:6

Healing & Miracles
And a leper came to Him and bowed down before Him, and said, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.  – Matthew 8:2-3

He touched her hand, and the fever left her; and she got up and waited on Him.  – Matthew 8:15

And He could do no miracle there except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.  – Mark 6:5

Then again He laid His hands on his eyes; and he looked intently and was restored, and began to see everything clearly.  – Mark 8:25

While the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and laying His hands on each one of them, He was healing them.  – Luke 4:40

And He laid His hands on her; and immediately she was made erect again and began glorifying God.  – Luke 13:13

God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul…  – Acts 19:11

And it happened that the father of Publius was lying in bed afflicted with recurrent fever and dysentery; and Paul went in to see him and after he had prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him.  – Acts 28:8

General Blessing
“Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them.  – Mark 10:15-16

Holy Spirit Baptism
For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit.  – Acts 8:16-17

And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying.  – Acts 19:6

Both Healing and Spirit Baptism
So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”  – Acts 9:17