DECEMBER 18 – Reading 352

by Chris Rainey | December 18

“BACK TO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL”
(Hebrews 6:1 – 9:28)

Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.  – Hebrews 6:1-2

“Touch is spiritually important. There’s something there. Jesus healed by touching. Jesus gathered the children in his arms; that’s touching. James talks about anointing people with oil; that’s going to involve a touch. So I said I wanted to touch him too.” – Dana Moore, pastor of Second Baptist Church, in response to a question about an inmate who requested he be able to touch him while the inmate was being executed. Interview with Daniel Sillman “Can This Texas Pastor Lay Hands on an Inmate During Execution?” Christianity Today, August 23, 2021.

The world is moving away from human touch. Companies use automation, AI agents, and other technologies to eliminate human beings from the service delivery process because it is faster and cheaper. Is it better? That remains to be seen.

Every time I read this passage in Hebrews, I am struck by the same thing: the elementary teachings of the faith include “the laying on of hands” (6:2)? Really?  I’d say in the history of my life as a Christian, nearly all of these have been well covered, plenty of times. Repentance? Check. Faith? Check. Baptisms? Check. Resurrection of the dead? Check. Laying on hands? What? Uh, no. Yes, we do that, but we don’t really talk about it much. Maybe we should.

Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology lists the laying on of hands as one of the means of grace in the church (959-961). Jesus often received requests to lay his hands on people, and he often healed people by touching them (Lk. 6:19). He took children into his arms and blessed them (Lk. 18:15). The early church laid hands on people to empower or equip them for service (Acts 6:6; 13:3). Also, when the gospel came to a new group of people, those who ministered would lay their hands on them and pray for Spirit Baptism (Acts 8:17; 19:6). Finally, laying on of hands accompanied commissioning for ministry (1 Tim. 4:14; 5:22).  When we lay our hands on people and pray for them, we are following the pattern of the early church, using our hands and prayers to extend God’s grace.

Technology has brought a lot of good to the modern world. But sometimes, we just need a person.

Application:
Pastor Gary Smalley wrote a book many years ago called The Five Love Languages, in which he noted that physical touch was one of the ways certain people experience love more profoundly than other ways. Physical touch can convey love and acceptance to the recipient.  One of the things noted about elderly people in nursing homes is that few people ever touch them. Let the laying on of hands be a  means of grace to people who need God’s touch.

Reflection:
Consider that the touch of your hands when you pray may speak as powerfully as the words you speak when you pray.

Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the foundational truth of “the laying on of hands.” In a world of increasing distance, renew our appreciation for the spiritual power of compassionate touch. As Jesus used His hands to heal and commission, empower our church community to use our prayers and touch to extend acceptance, comfort, and healing. Help us reach out to the lonely and those needing reassurance of Your love. May this simple act remain a vital means of grace in our fellowship, strengthening and equipping us for ministry. Amen.