Why is it said that the apostles had to use their hands to give people the Holy Spirit?
For example, Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. Acts 8:17.
Hi, JesusMyOnly.
The "laying on of hands" is actually one of the foundational principles of the doctrine of Christ/Christianity or at least it should be:
"Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment." (Hebrews 6:1-2)
Seeing how you cited a verse which pertains to receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost via the laying on of hands, I'll begin by addressing that particular manifestation. For starters, the True Baptizer in the Holy Ghost is Jesus Christ:
"I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:" (Matthew 3:11)
Yes, even as John the Baptist foretold how Jesus Christ "shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost" so it came to pass:
Acts chapter 2
[14] But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
[15] For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
[16] But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
[17] And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God,I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
[18] And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
[32] This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
[33] Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
When some mocked on the day of Pentecost, saying that those who had recently been baptized in the Holy Ghost were "drunken", Peter not only attributed this Holy Ghost baptism to that which had been prophesied by the prophet Joel, but he also said that Jesus "hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear" (Acts 2:33). Yes, again, the True Baptizer in the Holy Ghost is Jesus Christ and on this particular occasion He didn't "lay hands on" anybody in order for them to receive such a baptism. No, as the 120 prayed (Acts 1:13-15) and awaited the promise of the Father (Acts 1:4-5), the Holy Ghost was poured out on ALL OF THEM and NOT just the apostles who were then present (Acts 2:1-4). Moving ahead a little bit in the book of Acts, after Peter and John had been threatened after the healing of the lame man, they returned to their company and prayed thusly:
Acts chapter 4
[29] And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
[30] By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
[31] And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
[32] And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
[33] And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
Here, the apostles and those of their company prayed that GOD would "stretch forth HIS HAND to heal and that signs and wonders might be done by the name of His Holy child Jesus" and then "the place was shaken where they were assembled together and they were ALL FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST...and with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and great grace was upon them all." IOW, again, it was really GOD'S HAND that was doing the healings, signs and wonders and the apostles were merely ministering via His power. Shortly after this, we read:
"And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch." (Acts 5:12)
Again, "the apostles hands" were really only an extension of GOD'S HAND in that He was doing the work through them. When it came time to appoint people over the business of serving tables, we read:
Acts chapter 6
[1] 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.
Here, we see the apostles "laying their hands on" certain men for Christian ministry. Please note that one of these men is Philip (Acts 6:5) because he comes into play in the verse which you cited. In regards to the same, we read:
Acts chapter 8
[5] Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
[6] And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
[7] For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.
[8] And there was great joy in that city.
[9] But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
[10] To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
[11] And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
[12] But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
[13] Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
[14] Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
[15] Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
[16] (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
[17] Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
[18] And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
[19] Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
[20] But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
[21] Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
[22] Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
[23] For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
[24] Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.
Here, we have the same Philip whom the apostles laid their hands on for Christian ministry preaching Christ and performing miracles, signs and healings by the power of the Holy Ghost. However, when it came time for Philip's converts to be baptized with the Holy Ghost, then Peter and John, two apostles, needed to come to Samaria and lay their hands on these converts that they might be baptized in the Holy Ghost. IOW, with all of the power that Philip obviously had imparted to him, he seemingly lacked the power, at this particular time anyway, to lay hands on people that they might be baptized in the Holy Ghost. Of course, Simon the sorcerer sought to buy such a power, but he was rebuked by Peter who told him that "the gift of God" might not be purchased with money. Anyhow, again, it was "the gift of God" and apparently different people had different giftings. Moving on to Saul's/Paul's conversion, we read:
Acts chapter 9
[10] And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
[11] And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
[12] And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
[13] Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
[14] And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
[15] But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
[16] For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
[17] And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
[18] And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
Here, we seem to have just an ordinary Christian, "a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias", who was commissioned of the Lord to lay his hands on Saul/Paul that he might not only receive his sight, but also be filled with the Holy Ghost. I'm mentioning this to combat this whole "Well, the miracles, gifts, signs and wonders were ONLY FOR THE APOSTLES" mentality that is still prevalent in many places today. Again, Philip did miracles, signs and healings (as did Stephen) via the power of the Holy Ghost and Ananias, just "a certain disciple", actually laid his hands on the Apostle Paul that he might not only receive back his sight, but also be filled with the Holy Ghost. Once more, we need to look past the men themselves and truly see THE HAND OF GOD at work in all of these instances. Of course, GOD'S HAND need not be demonstrated via the "laying on of hands" of men because we read as we continue on in the book of Acts:
Acts chapter 10
[44] While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
[45] And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
[46] For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
[47] Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
[48] And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
As with the initial baptism of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost, here, too, there was no need for any human hands to be laid upon anybody in order for the Holy Ghost baptism to be received as, again, the True Baptizer in the Holy Ghost is Jesus Christ and He can do the same however He sees fit to in any given situation. Continuing on in the book of Acts, we once more see the "laying on of hands" in relation to commissioning certain Christians for specific Christian duty:
Acts chapter 13
[1] 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.
[2] As 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.
[4] So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
Here, Barnabas and Saul/Paul were "sent forth by the Holy Ghost" after those who had been prayiing, ministering to the Lord and fasting "laid their hands on them". While they were at Iconium, we read the following in relation to this same Barnabas and Saul/Paul:
"Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands." (Acts 14:3)
Again, it was by the Lord's grace that such things were "done by their hands". Later on, we read the following in relation to Saul/Paul:
Acts chapter 19
[1] And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
[2] He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
[3] And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
[4] Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
[5] When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
[6] And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
[7] And all the men were about twelve.
Here, this same Saul/Paul who had previously had "hands laid on him" to receive back his sight, be filled with the Holy Ghost and to be separated apart unto certain Christian ministry "laid his hands upon" twelve men at Ephesus that they might receive the Holy Ghost baptism. We also read the following in relation to Saul/Paul:
"And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them." (Acts 19:11-12)
Here, "GOD wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul" in that the Holy Ghost power which was imparted unto him was apparently transferred to handkerchiefs and aprons and the anointing contained therein was powerful enough to even exorcise demons. This same Saul/Paul also said the following to the saints at Rome:
"For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;" (Romans 1:9-11)
Here, Paul longed to travel to Rome that he "may impart unto them some spiritual gift". By what means would he impart the same? My guess is that he would impart the same by the laying on of his hands. Paul also said the following to Timothy:
"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." (II Timothy 1:6)
Yes, even Timothy received "the gift of God" via "the putting on of Paul's hands". Previously, Paul wrote to Timothy:
"Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery." (I Timothy 4:14)
Here, Paul spoke not only his own "laying on of hands", but also of "the laying on of the hands of the presbytery". Again, I'm just trying to point out that a lot more people than just the apostles employed the "laying on of hands" for different purposes. Paul also cautioned this same Timothy in the folllowing manner:
"Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure." (I Timothy 5:22)
It is important to note that all of the "laying on of hands" that we've read of thus far WERE BY THE LORD'S COMMISSIONING. IOW, we should never just arbitrarily "lay hands on people" in that we might become partakers of their sins in doing so.
Well, that's just an introduction. There are actually many recorded instances of the "laying on of hands" in the Old Testament as well and I'll simply cite one of them:
"And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him; And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight. And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient." (Numbers 27:18-20)
Again:
"And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses." (Deuteronomy 34:9)
Anyhow, like I said in regard to my opening scriptural citation from Hebrews 6:1-2, the "laying on of hands" is actually one of the foundational principles of the doctrine of Christ/Christianity or at least it should be.
I hope that this helped.
"And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." (Mark 16:17-18)
P.S.
Although I'm confident that you're already aware that the miraculous power which we so often read of in scripture is truly of God and not men, I felt it necessary to mention the same for the potential benefit of others who might read this thread who might not have that same knowledge and might therefore be tempted to look to the men themselves as opposed to the God Who was empowering the same.
