THE LAYING ON OF HANDS

THE LAYING ON OF HANDS - IMPOSITION

1. This idea appears in both the Old and New Testaments.

(1) Since it appears in the Old Testament, it is undoubtedly the basis for that which appears in the New Testament.

(2) The whole practice arises out of the fact that the hands are the instruments of contact and communication.

2. Various ideas are presented under the figure of laying on of hands.
(1) In the Old Testament:
1.   The conferring of blessing. Gen. 48:18
2.   The confessing of sins on the head of an animal.
Exod. 29:10, 15, 19
Lev. 1:4; 3:2,8,13; 4:4,15,24,29,33; 8:14,18,22; 16:21
Num. 8:12
2 Chron. 29:33

3.   The ordaining for service.
Num. 8:10
Num. 11:11, 17, 25
Num. 27:18, 23
Deut. 34:9

4.   Laying on hands in wrath.
Num. 24:14
2 Kings 11:16

(2)   In the New Testament:
1. The blessing of children.
Matt. 19:13, 15
Mark 10:16

2. The healing of the sick.
Mark 5:23; 6:5; 8:23, 25; 16:16
Luke 4:40; 13:13
Acts 28:8

3. The conversion of sinners.
Acts 8:17, 18; 8:17; 19:6

4. The ordaining to some service.
Acts 6:6; 13:3
1 Tim. 4:14; 5:22
2 Tim. 1:6

5. The confessing sins on offering.
Heb. 6:2

6. Same expression in English, but different Greek words. Referring to wrath or judgment or force.
krathsaV   Matt. 18:28; 21:46
Plazw  John 8:20
epebalon   Matt. 26:50; Mark 14:46 Luke 20:19; 21:12; John 7:30,44  Acts 4:3; 5:18; 21:27

7.  The particular sense in which we are interested as a church rite. Any other sense except that in which it is a blessing in the Church is outside the pale of our discussion here. Except in two passages in Old Testament one word appears in the Greek to convey these ideas. And it is uniform in the New Testament.
epitiqhmi