The Laying of Healing Hands

In Hebrew, “Samak” is the word used to define the laying on of hands, but it directly translates into “to prop/rest” in the context of being a support to someone. In the Old Testament, the laying on of hands was necessary to impart spiritual blessings such as healing or anointing of the Holy Spirit. An example of this is found in Acts 8:17-18– “Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money.” At that time, this concept was very shocking to people and miracles were sought after.

Simon was a sorcerer. I imagine he was like our modern-day psychics that offer advice for a price. We know now that Salvation cannot be bought or sold, Jesus already paid the debt of our sin through his sacrifice on the cross. Liberation is free to those who choose it and can be forfeited by those who chose it. John 8:31-32– “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Stop asking what would Jesus do, and do what Jesus did as instructed in Mark 16:17-18– “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; so they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Who are the disciples today? All believers are called to be. Acts 1:8– “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; And you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” That power we receive is called “Dunamis” meaning the “power of God.” All saved Christians receive this but only those that believe in this power are able to use it. You can have faith the size of a mustard seed, but if you do not believe and if you place limitations on the power of God all these gifts can be hindered. I have witnessed, performed, and been healed from trusting in the laying on of hands. It took casting my doubt into the sea to genuinely believe.

I can testify that the power of God is in all believers because the Holy Spirit is mingled with ours. In Matthew 10:8 we learn that believers are given the ability to– “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” This is only possible through Jesus Christ in us, as told in 1 John 4:4-6– “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.”

Sadly, there are many Christians today that place limitations on this gift, there are those that worry, and fear and are giving into the schemes of the world. This gives place to the enemy even though they may quote “faith over fear,” if they speak it, they need to put those words into action. In a deliverance church during prayer, we outstretch our hands or rest our hands on the person receiving the prayer. This is an expression of both being a support, and humbly interceding for them if they have any doubt mingled with their faith. Even more significant, if the individual is suffering from a headache we would place our hands on their head, or if they were struggling with pregnancy complications, we would place our hands on their belly and speak healing and life over the womb. This is a way to show we believe and trust in the spiritual authority given to us as described in Luke 10:19– “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” The Lord proclaims we can speak against all attacks on our life, including sickness, disease, and death!