I noticed today that Hebrews 6:2 lists the "laying on of hands" as one of the "elementary teachings about Christ", along with repentance, baptism, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. This seems like a particularly high importance for something we rarely discuss today.
There are a few references to Jesus healing in this manner, but most references in the New Testament seem to have to do with the conferring of the Holy Spirit or ordination. 1 Timothy 5:22 warns Timothy about laying hands too hastily; the context seems to be ordination, and the ESV even translates it like this. A couple other relevant verses: "Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery." (1 Timothy 4:14) and "For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands." (2 Timothy 1:6)
It seems unavoidable to me through the Hebrews verse that this is something we should be doing on some level today. But how specifically, and when?
There are a few references to Jesus healing in this manner, but most references in the New Testament seem to have to do with the conferring of the Holy Spirit or ordination. 1 Timothy 5:22 warns Timothy about laying hands too hastily; the context seems to be ordination, and the ESV even translates it like this. A couple other relevant verses: "Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery." (1 Timothy 4:14) and "For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands." (2 Timothy 1:6)
It seems unavoidable to me through the Hebrews verse that this is something we should be doing on some level today. But how specifically, and when?
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