Ezekiel Kimosop

While it is a common or popular practice to lay hands on believers as we pray for their needs, it is nowhere taught or implied in Scripture that the laying of hands is a prerequisite for receiving the anointing of the Holy Spirit or indeed any other blessing from God, including healing. 

On one occasion recorded in the Bible, Peter was preaching to a group of Gentiles when they suddenly began to speak in tongues. There is no evidence here that anyone laid their hands on them. Acts 10:44-45 says "While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also."

Moreover, when the Holy Spirit came upon the New Testament church as they gathered together on the Day of Pentecost, it was a sudden and powerful experience with the Holy Spirit ministering on His own, unhindered and unaided by human effort. 

The Bible reveals the dramatic event in Acts 2:1-4 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." 

This is clear evidence that we cannot confine the working of God to our sets of man made rules.

March 03 2017 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Chad Feight

Based on Acts 2, the first time the Holy Spirit baptized believers was totally without hands being laid on a person. It appears as though there is room for both in the church. Laying on of hands is biblical, and allowing God to work without any hands is also biblical.

April 27 2016 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report