The Laying of Hands
1️⃣ The Meaning of Laying On of Hands in Ministry
📖 1 Timothy 5:22 KJV Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.
Laying of hands is a term used in the New Testament church to ordain someone for ministry, it always meant one thing: It was a public act of setting someone apart for a God-given calling.
Laying on of hands in ministry represents:
Recognition — The church sees God’s calling on this person.
So what we will see is that the church will be. the ones to see if you are worthy to do that role and thats important so there won’t be any bias but rather the church as a whole will know you are worthy.
Affirmation — Leadership confirms the individual’s doctrine, character, and gifts.
Another great point is that the pastor and deacons are the ones that will initiate the ordination if they see a need and they will finalize it once the church has chosen.
Commissioning — The church sends them into a specific work.
Responsibility — The person accepts the sacred duty of serving Christ publicly.
2️⃣ Biblical Examples of Laying on of Hands for Ministry
📌 Ministry
📖 Acts 6:1-7 (KJV) And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: 6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. 7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
These men were already known for faithfulness and integrity.
📌 Paul & Barnabas
📖 Acts 13:1-3 (KJV) Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
The Holy Spirit said, “Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work.”
The church responded with fasting, prayer, and laying on of hands.
This was not ordaining beginners this was sending out proven servants.
📌 Timothy
📖 1 Timothy 4:12-16 (KJV) Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. 15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. 16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
A “presbytery” (plural elders) laid hands on Timothy, recognizing his calling. Now the reason for many elders would be because the church that Timothy was sent from was large, meaning in the 1000s just like at Jerusalem and Antioch which would of been really big churches with multiple leaders but this isn’t the ideal scenario for churches under 800 people as Deacons can help with this capacity, its only when we see churches in the thousands that other leaders are needed.
Now what we learn from this is that Timothy is encouraged to carry on and not neglect the gift of leadership or pastor which was given to him by prophecy, the reason for this warning is that people can start but not finish their course. I know a pastor that was ordained (rushed) and now his ministry is closed, it can happen, it mainly happens because of sin but it does happen because of being burnt out. The best way I overcome this is to not have expectation and enjoy the simple blessings, as the hymn would go “Count your blessing one by one” a lot of pastor get ordained for the wrong reasons and have expectations which causes them stop.
📖 2 Timothy 1:6-8 (KJV) Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. 7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
Again the apostle Paul is encouraging Timothy to not be ashamed to preach the truth as it can be fearful to talk about certain topics especially if there are members who fall under that category but people should understand that the whole bible needs to be preached even the things that seem unjust to the unsaved, like the destruction of sodomites, or wives submitting to husbands and death penalty for certain crimes these can be touchy subjects, but we need to show why its a law of God.
3️⃣ Why Do We Lay Hands on Someone for Ministry?
A. To Set Them Apart
Laying on of hands separates someone from ordinary life to a specific spiritual work.
B. To Confirm Their Calling
It’s the church saying:
“We see the fruit, the faithfulness, the doctrine, and the character and we agree with God.”
C. To Entrust Spiritual Leadership
This act signals the person now carries the weight of teaching, leading, and shepherding souls.
D. To Demonstrate Unity
Multiple leaders laying hands shows the whole body stands behind the person.
When it comes to church history it's hard to tract the true church back to a specific denomination, rather the true church is based on having the right doctrine and we ordain people to make sure that when people are sent out that they stay to the original doctrine and not new doctrines that are private interpretations.
📖 2 Peter 1:20-21 (KJV) Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
New denominations that have doctrines based off a man like Joseph Smith (1805–1844) founder of Mormons who came up with new teachings that were private to him only from an angel?
Jehovah’s Witnesses, Charles Taze Russell (1852–1916) which taught private doctrines only they knew about and failed.
1874 — Invisible return
1914 — End of world (later changed to invisible return)
1918 — Judgment on churches
1925 — Resurrection of OT saints
1975 — Armageddon
Seventh-day Adventism, Founder: Ellen G. White (1827–1915) which Ellen White’s visions is counted as inspired authority
SDA officially teaches that:
Ellen White’s writings are the Spirit of Prophecy
Her books are to be used for doctrine, instruction, and correction
They interpret Scripture through her writings
This makes her writings an extra-biblical authority, even if they won’t openly admit it. Private revelation = private doctrine.
This is how you can find the true church, is by comparing doctrine with the Bible we all hold, if we are truly saved by faith alone in the finished work of Christ and believe that it is eternal, the holy spirit will guide us to the same truths of the Bible.
📖 1 Corinthians 2:12-14 (KJV) Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Mans wisdom is big issue to, people like John Calvin who created doctrine based on human reasoning that makes no sense, like Unconditional Election that suggests that God chose some to salvation and God chose others to damnation before they were born with no choice or faith involved? and there’s more teachings he embraced but I digress.
4️⃣ The Warning: Lay Hands Suddenly On No Man
This is a command not a suggestion why? Because ordaining someone too quickly can:
Damage the church
Elevate someone not ready
Cause pride in the candidate
Lead to doctrinal error
Make the ordainers partakers in their future sins
Paul says plainly:
If you ordain a man too fast, you share in the consequences.
This shows how serious ordination is, we can tell if someone is right for job when you spend enough time with them you will see their ups and downs and how they handle stress and activities.
5️⃣ How Long Before Someone Can Be Set Apart for Ministry?
The Bible gives principles, not a timeline.
But the principles are strong, clear, and consistent.
A. They must be proven over time (Acts 6:3).
📖 Acts 6:3 (KJV) Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
Their reputation needed time to form.
B. Desire
📖 1 Timothy 3:1 (KJV) This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
If we are going to ordain someone they should have a desire to do it, it has happen before where a person has been forced by false prophecies and so on, then later that person quit ministry, because to be ordained it comes with sacrifices, your careers or studies and businesses are put on hold and church is first which can burden the family. So there needs to be an understanding that no matter what I will put God first.
C. Blameless
📖 1 Timothy 3:2 (KJV) A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
Now the best way to describe being blameless is having a good report without, which is restated in verse 7
📖 1 Timothy 3:7 (KJV) Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Blameless does not mean sinless.
It means:
No public scandal
No obvious accusation sticking
No lifestyle that hurts the testimony of Christ
Nothing that outsiders can point to and say, “That man shouldn’t lead”
D. Husband of one wife
This verse is meaningless to many so-called christians that have churches with women pastors, its embarrassing to directly sin against scripture and make excuses for it, but the point of this is show that a Bishop or a Deacon or a Missionary that is planting church should be someone that is married, not a single person who is looking for for that special someone, this also ties into verse 4
📖 1 Timothy 3:4-5 (KJV) One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
To be ordained means having children (plural) and that you rule your house well (while the children are under your care) and the reason for this is if you know how to deal with children then your know how to deal with disputes and drama’s within the church, as a lot of things happen in church like false prophets creeping in, handling sensitive subjects and issues, correcting people when they step out of line and if you have many kids you will face this especially when they growing into teens, and so you get a taste of learning to control and handling situations.
E. They cannot be a novice
1 Timothy 3:1-7 (KJV) This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
A novice = newly saved, newly discipled, newly matured.
Pride destroys young believers put into leadership too fast, and I can conform that as I remember when I was young in the faith I wanted to be a pastor so badly thinking I would destroy anybody in a bible battle, I was naïve and foolish and if I had been ordain then no dealt I would of made a fool of myself and I know I would of quit because back then I was having issues which would be damaging to the ministry, so we need to be careful when we ordain someone.Now I’ve heard a pastor talk about Paul’s ministry, how he ordained people within 2 to 3 years because of his trips when he went the first trip around he taught planted churches through Minor Asia then the second travel he was ordaining leaders, now the reason for this would be back then Jews already knew a lot of scriptures they just needed the right guidance and also these Jews were already practicing good morals unlike today most unsaved gentiles have a long way at overcoming sins which can make ordination a long road like myself, which took 10 years from Independent baptist teaching but 15 years from pentecostal teachings. Now it doesn’t have to be that long but this was my experience.
F. Their doctrine must be sound.
A man must first be stable and unwavering in truth — this takes time to observe.
⏰ Conclusion
The Laying of hands was to ordain and signify leadership through someone who is ordained, this way we can try to keep a pure line of churches through ordination, this doesn’t mean all the lineage will be good, some ordinations will turn for the worst, but another line that was good will carry those right doctrines to the next ordination, just as Jesus described…
📖 Matthew 16:18 (KJV) And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
This means that there has been an unbreakable link from Jesus till now, because the church can never stop at any point.
