The Laying on of Hands

Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, [maturity] not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead and of eternal judgment. – Hebrews 6:1,2

The Scripture gives us the basic fundamental principles of the doctrines of Christ. Have they passed away? Let’s look: “Let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance.” Has repentance passed away? No, repentance is still a foundational principle of the doctrine of Christ.

What about what that verse says next – faith toward God? Is that finished? It can’t be, because we are saved by grace through faith. (Eph. 2:8) If faith has passed away, we are all in trouble.

What about the doctrine of baptisms or the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead? Are baptisms going to continue? Are the dead going to be resurrected? Yes! What about eternal judgment? Has that passed away? No, it is still in the works.

Only one foundational principle remains, and if all the others haven’t passed away, then this one hasn’t either. Right in the middle of those verses, it says “..not laying again the foundation..of laying on of hands.” This is one of the fundamental principles of the doctrines of Christ, and it hasn’t passed away. It’s still in effect.

What happens when you lay hands on people, especially sick people? Mark 16:18 says, “They shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover.” If laying on of hands is one of the fundamental principles of the doctrine of Christ, then apparently healing is too, because when believers lay hands on the sick, they are healed. If laying on of hands is for today, then healing is still for today as well. It’s just that simple!

CONFESSION:

God’s foundational principles haven’t changed. Believers still lay hands on the sick, and the sick still recover. God’s compassion and healing mercies haven’t changed either. He is still the God who heals me!

From: A Devotional for Divine Health Prescription for a Miracle, Mark Brazee, 1999