Introduction
Blessing, healing, and impartation are the three major positive effects of laying hands on someone as described in the Bible. That is the subject of this post. This is not a discussion of social norms.
Society has rules about touching others. There are rules about what is acceptable and what is unacceptable when touching others with their permission, without their permission, and accidentally. There are all kinds of social rules about touching whether in a friendly manner, a violent manner, an intimate manner, a sexual manner, etc. The Bible has a great deal to say about social behavior and how we treat each other. That is not the subject of this post.
I want to take a look at a few scriptures in Hebrews 5 and 6 to lay the foundation of this post. These scriptures discuss how a member of the Body of the Messiah, Christ, should grow and mature in the words and teachings of Yahusha, aka Jesus.
The writer of Hebrews, presumably the apostle Paul, would like to expound on the Melchisedecian priesthood but is unable to because of the poor development of the ability of his audience to understand. He states that even though they are of full age they still need to be fed the ‘milk’ of the words of Yahusha. Paul describes milk as the basic or rudimentary teachings. Then he lists those teachings of which laying on of hands is one.
My purpose in bringing these verses to your attention is to prove that laying on of hands is among the principles taught by Yahusha and is a fundamental part of our walk and work with Him.
Let’s pick it up in chapter 5 of Hebrews. Here Paul is talking about Yahusha, aka Jesus, being our high priest forever.
Heb 5:1 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:
Heb 5:2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.
Heb 5:3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.
Heb 5:4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.
Heb 5:5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.
Heb 5:6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchisedec.
Heb 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
Heb 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
Heb 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
Heb 5:10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
Heb 5:11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.
Heb 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
Heb 5:13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
Heb 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Heb 6:1 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,
Heb 6:2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
Heb 6:3 And this will we do, if God permit.
Now we see that the foundational principles of the doctrine of Christ are:
- repentance from dead works
- faith toward God
- the doctrine of baptisms
- laying on of hands
- resurrection from the dead
- eternal judgment
Let’s clear up the meaning of the word doctrine. In Hebrews 6:1 above we see the phrase ‘the principles of the doctrine of Christ’. The Greek word translated as doctrine in that verse is logos which translates best as ‘word’ or ‘teaching’. In Hebrews 6:2 above we see the phrase ‘doctrine of baptisms’. The Greek word translated here as doctrine is the word “didachēs” which is derived from the verb “didasko,” which means “to teach” or “to instruct.” In this context, “didachēs” refers to teachings or instructions.
The word doctrine can carry a connotation of authority, guidance, coherence, and foundational knowledge. In a religious context, it can also carry a connotation of rigidity, close-mindedness, and authoritarianism. What I want you to understand here is that whether the writer uses the word logos or didaches he is talking about what Yahusha Ha Mashiach, Jesus the Christ, taught. His words are His teachings, His doctrines, the words He gave His life to bring to us.
Therefore I believe the doctrine of laying on of hands is important because it is part of the teaching of Yahusha. I also believe it is a teaching that has been lost in the annals of time. It is time to bring it back and put it to work.
Laying on of Hands for the Purpose of Blessing
For this post, I will take a narrow perspective on blessings looking only at the act of laying hands upon another person and pronouncing a blessing upon them. This particular form of blessing is very specific. It is one person passing a specific blessing or more than one blessing to another person. Examples below show the act of blessing your children and grandchildren. The act of blessing your children is not something we see in Western civilization. A quick observation will reveal that, at least here in the West, people spend much more time and effort yelling at their children and cursing, rather than placing their hand upon them and pronouncing a blessing upon them.
Genesis 48 recounts Jacob blessing two of his grandsons, the sons of Joseph. In the course of doing so, Jacob claimed Manasseh and Ephraim as his own making them equal with Joseph’s eleven brothers. That is how Joseph received a double portion with his brothers. So you will see in this act of blessing, Jacob blessed his grandsons with the blessing promised to him by God and in doing so also blessed his son Joseph with a double blessing beyond his brothers. I will put the scriptures below so you can read the entire account. The part relevant to the subject of this post is when you see Jacob place his right and left hands upon the boys to bestow on them the promised blessing which Jacob received from God. This is the passing down from one generation to another the blessing God has given you.
Gen 48:1 And it came to pass after these things, that one told Joseph, Behold, thy father is sick: and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.
Gen 48:2 And one told Jacob, and said, Behold, thy son Joseph cometh unto thee: and Israel strengthened himself, and sat upon the bed.
Gen 48:3 And Jacob said unto Joseph, God Almighty appeared unto me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me,
Gen 48:4 And said unto me, Behold, I will make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, and I will make of thee a multitude of people; and will give this land to thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession.
Gen 48:5 And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born unto thee in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee into Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine.
Gen 48:6 And thy issue, which thou begettest after them, shall be thine, and shall be called after the name of their brethren in their inheritance.
Gen 48:7 And as for me, when I came from Padan, Rachel died by me in the land of Canaan in the way, when yet there was but a little way to come unto Ephrath: and I buried her there in the way of Ephrath; the same is Bethlehem.
Gen 48:8 And Israel beheld Joseph’s sons, and said, Who are these?
Gen 48:9 And Joseph said unto his father, They are my sons, whom God hath given me in this place. And he said, Bring them, I pray thee, unto me, and I will bless them.
Gen 48:10 Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, so that he could not see. And he brought them near unto him; and he kissed them, and embraced them.
Gen 48:11 And Israel said unto Joseph, I had not thought to see thy face: and, lo, God hath shewed me also thy seed.
Gen 48:12 And Joseph brought them out from between his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth.
Gen 48:13 And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them near unto him.
Gen 48:14 And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn.
Gen 48:15 And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day,
Gen 48:16 The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.
Gen 48:17 And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him: and he held up his father’s hand, to remove it from Ephraim’s head unto Manasseh’s head.
Gen 48:18 And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head.
Gen 48:19 And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.
Gen 48:20 And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh.
Gen 48:21 And Israel said unto Joseph, Behold, I die: but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers.
Gen 48:22 Moreover I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow.
What you have just read is a very specific act. Joseph wanted his father to bless his two sons. Joseph was a very wise man. His wisdom was renowned in all of Egypt. Joseph understood the importance of receiving the blessing from his father. This is not a symbolic act, it is a spiritual transaction.
Now let’s look at another example of laying hands on children and blessing them, this time from the New Testament. In this example, people have brought their children to Yahusha, aka Jesus, for Him to bless them, but his disciples are upset because they do not see the value of what is happening.
Mrk 10:13 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.
Mrk 10:14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Mrk 10:15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
Mrk 10:16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.
We can see from these two examples credible evidence of blessings being passed from one person to another through the laying on of hands and speaking the blessing to be imparted to the other.
The act of placing your hands on someone makes the transaction very personal. Can blessing be bestowed without physical contact? Yes. I can show you many examples in the Bible.
We are going to look at the act of laying on of hands for the purpose of healing next. Can someone be healed without laying hands on them? Yes. There are many examples in the Bible of this also.
That is not the point. We want to learn what the scriptures teach about the act of laying on of hands.
We will discover that blessing, healing, and impartation are very personal transactions from one person to another. Laying on of hands also requires agreement from both parties to an act of faith. I will get into the intricacies of that later. Right now I am showing you Biblical evidence of the largely ignored act of laying on of hands for blessing, healing, and impartation. Now, let’s look at the act of laying on of hands for healing.
Laying on of Hands for Healing
Sickness, disease, disabilities, disfiguration, deafness, dumbness, blindness, lameness, and death, all of these torment the human condition. Yet we see our Saviour, Yahusha Ha Mashaich, heal all who come to Him (with a few exceptions in His hometown) usually through laying hands on them and sometimes by simply speaking.
Let’s take a look at what He did first, then we will address how this same power operates through those who believe in Him.
Yahusha began His ministry in Galilee, and more precisely in Capernaum on the Northwest coast of the Sea of Galilee.
On the map to the right in the dark pink area that is Galilee, you can see Nazareth where He grew up. You see the Sea of Galilee in the dark pink area and Capernaum on the northwest coast of the Sea of Galilee. You also see Bethsaida on the northeast coast of the Sea of Galilee. Further south in Judea, the gold area, you see the Dead Sea. Between the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea is the Jordan River that connects them.
The Jordan River is where He was baptized by John. On the northwest side of the Dead Sea in Judaea, you see Qumran where the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered. Qumran is near the area where John baptized the people.
In Judaea you see Jerusalem. The Judean Desert is located to the east of Jerusalem and extends towards the Dead Sea. It is a rugged and arid landscape with rocky terrain, canyons, and sparse vegetation.
This is the wilderness into which Yahusha went immediately after He was baptized. After being there for forty days He was hungry. Then, He was tempted by the devil.
Now that you have the geography let’s look at the scriptures that tell us how the ministry of Yahusah Ha Mashiach began. These scriptures are from the accounts of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
Mrk 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
Mrk 1:5 And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.
Mrk 1:9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
Mrk 1:10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
Mrk 1:11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Mrk 1:12 And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.
Mrk 1:13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.
Luk 4:13 And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.
Luk 4:14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.
Mat 4:12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;
Mat 4:13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim
Mat 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Above I have pieced together scriptures from Matthew, Mark, and Luke that are somewhat loosely in chronological order. Each of the four Gospels is like four different people recalling a series of events. Each one cites some events and skips over others making it hard to get an exact sequence. However, I can create a timeline through known scriptures, events, and dates. That timeline can pinpoint the time that passed from Yahusha’s return from the wilderness of Judaea to His attendance of the first Passover during His ministry at 5 weeks give or take a couple of days. That five weeks would be from the time He returned from the wilderness of Judaea after being tempted by the devil.
If you read the accounts in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John closely you will see that He returns from the wilderness of Judaea in the power of the Holy Spirit. When He hears that John has been arrested and put in prison he returns to Galilee to His hometown of Nazareth. From there He attends a wedding in Cana, which is about 5½ miles northeast of Nazareth where He somewhat unwillingly performs His first miracle stating that His time had not yet come. Then He goes to Capernaum where He begins His ministry. In Capernaum and surrounding areas, He preaches, teaches, and performs miracles including healing all the sick who come to Him. Some time afterward, He returns to Nazareth, His hometown, where He speaks in the synagogue. In the course of speaking there that day, He refers to the mighty works He had performed in Capernaum, thereby establishing that He came there after teaching and healing in Capernaum. He could not do any mighty miracle there in Nazareth except to heal a few sick people, because of their unbelief. Leaving Nazareth this second time he goes back to Capernaum and does more miracles and then goes to Peter’s home in Bethsaida where He heals Peter’s mother-in-law. Afterward, crowds come to Him again and He heals them all. Let’s look at those scriptures.
Capernaum
Mat 4:12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;
Mat 4:13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:
Mat 4:14 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
Mat 4:15 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;
Mat 4:16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
Mat 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand
Mat 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
Mat 4:24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
Mat 4:25 And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.
Mat 5:1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
Starting in the next verse, Matthew 5:2 and continuing to the end of chapter 7 is the famous
Sermon on the Mount.
Then in the first verse of chapter 8 Yahusha comes down from the mount.
Mat 8:1 When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.
Mat 8:2 And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
Mat 8:3 And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
Yahusha began to preach and to teach. His message was the gospel of the Kingdom of God being established on earth as it is in heaven. His teachings were the principles of the Kingdom of God. The healing, deliverance, and miracles He did accompanied His preaching and teaching. His preaching and teaching were of interest to the people who heard Him, but the healings, deliverances, and miracles are what spread His fame like wildfire.
In the first five weeks of His ministry, His fame spread throughout Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.
The Decapolis was a league of ten cities in the southeastern Levant region of the eastern Mediterranean, primarily situated in what is now Jordan, Israel, and Syria. These cities were established during the Hellenistic and Roman periods and were centers of Greek and Roman culture in the region. The exact list of cities considered part of the Decapolis varied over time, but some of the most commonly cited cities include:
- Damascus (in modern-day Syria)
- Philadelphia (modern-day Amman, Jordan)
- Raphana (modern-day Abila, Jordan)
- Scythopolis (modern-day Beit She’an, Israel)
- Gadara (modern-day Umm Qais, Jordan)
- Hippos (modern-day Susita, Israel)
- Pella (modern-day Tabaqat Fahl, Jordan)
- Gerasa (modern-day Jerash, Jordan)
- Dion (modern-day Beit Ras, Jordan)
- Canatha (modern-day Qanawat, Syria)
As you can see His preaching and teaching (His words) were limited at that time to Galilee, but the news of His works spread rapidly throughout the entire region.
Return to Nazareth
Mrk 6:1 And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.
Mrk 6:2 And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?
Mrk 6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
Mrk 6:4 But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.
Mrk 6:5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.
Mrk 6:6 And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.
Rejection in your hometown, among your relatives, and in your own home is part and parcel of being a disciple of Yahusha. Their unwillingness to believe that God is working through you is not only a hindrance to you but also to the Holy Spirit. It is best to follow Yahusha’s example and just move on. After He left Nazareth He went to Simon Peter’s home in Bethsaida where He was received with joy and continued His work.
Bethsaida
Luk 4:38 And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon’s house. And Simon’s wife’s mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her.
Luk 4:39 And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them.
Luk 4:40 Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.
Luk 4:41 And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.
Here in Simon Peter’s house, we read that Yahusha laid His hands on the sick and healed them.
These are just a few examples from Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John of the great works that Yahusha did. The Gospels are full of both the words He taught and the works He did. Here is one more example for good measure.
Mat 15:29 And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there.
Mat 15:30 And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and he healed them:
Mat 15:31 Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.
I have not yet explained how this works. Right now, I am exposing you to the scriptures of what He did so you can read the proof for yourself. Yahusha not only taught the gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven, but He also taught those who would listen and observe how to heal the sick, cast out demons, and work miracles. The part I am focusing on in this post is the doctrine of laying on of hands for healing. I will get to the how near the end of this section, but first I want to address the why.
Why Lay Hands on the Sick to Heal Them?
Because it is personal, very personal.
This is the heart of this post.
Here is where most of us live:
- I believe God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, but I am not sure God loves me.
- I believe God answers prayer, but I am not sure He will answer my prayer.
- I believe God works through His people, but I am not sure He will work through me.
- I believe Yahusha healed everyone who came to Him, but I am not sure He will heal me. (or my son, or my daughter, or my friend)
- I have said this to God, Father all things are possible for you, I believe that. I mean, you brought water out of a rock when your people needed it. I understand there were over a million people out there in the desert without water and they were going to die if you did not save them. I can see why you had compassion for so many. But, I am just one person, it is hard for me to believe you want to heal me. (or my spouse or my child or my best friend)
Those are all statements of unbelief. Unfortunately, that is where most of us live. When it becomes personal, faith gets hard to find.
It is easy to say you believe that God will heal the sick until you are the one with cancer, or your spouse, or your child, or your best friend. That is when the rubber meets the road. That is where our profession of faith gives way to doubt in our hearts.
Someone in this transaction must provide faith. Someone in this transaction must believe. Yahusha said, “These signs will follow those that BELIEVE, in My Name …they will lay hands on the sick and THEY SHALL RECOVER.” (Mark 16:17-18)
Doubt and unbelief come from not understanding the New Covenant. It is bad teaching. It is ignorance. It is laziness.
- Hos 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge:
The same faith by which you received the Holy Spirit is the faith through which the power of God heals. I have written a post entitled The Power is in the New Covenant where I will address this in detail.
Laying hands on someone is a very personal, one-on-one thing to do. You are putting it all on the line, both the person laying hands on the other, and the person seeking supernatural healing from God. That is why Paul wrote to Timothy, “lay hands suddenly on no man.” You must know that the power of God is present to heal. I will get into that shortly on the how part.
The why part, I believe, is this. There is a dynamic with God when two people come together in agreement about anything.
Mat 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
Yahusha promises to be present when two people come together in faith before God.
Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
This is an act of faith. Faith must always be present. Faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel). But it is not a matter of size or proportion of faith. It is an absence of unbelief.
You can overcome the unbelief of familiarity if one of the persons is “from afar”. The very syndrome Yahusha faced in His hometown of Nazareth, where He could do no mighty work except lay His Hands on a few sick folks and heal them, can be overcome if the two people are not all that familiar with one another. Signs and wonders followed Yahusha’s preaching and teaching of the Kingdom of God. He was that man from afar with all the answers and with all the anointing. In His hometown, He was (so they thought) just the carpenter, just one of Mary’s sons.
Now for the how part.
The Doctrine of Laying on of Hands
Without listing every miracle of healing in the four gospels you get the idea that Yahusha either laid hands on, touched, or spoke to the suffering and healed them. We learn by observing His actions. He is our leader, we follow Him.
Jhn 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
The doctrine of laying on of hands is the teaching of laying on of hands. No one ever before did the works that He did. We are to learn from Him just as He learned from His Father. This is what Yahusha said,
Jhn 5:19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
Jhn 5:20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
Jhn 5:21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.
Understanding the Relationship Between the Father and the Son
The relationship of The Father, Yahuha, and His Son, Yahusha, should be the central teaching of Theology. The proper understanding of Their Relationship explains everything in heaven and earth. I can think of no more rewarding challenge than to explore and learn all you can about their relationship.
Germain to the subject at hand, it is paramount to realize that Yahusha never took credit for the works that He did. He always maintained that it was the Father dwelling in Him that provided the power, know-how, and permission to heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out demons, and work all the miracles that He did.
Every word that Yahusha spoke He credited His Father for.
Jhn 12:49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
Jhn 12:50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.
Jhn 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
Every miraculous work that Yahusha did He credited His Father for.
Jhn 5:36 But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.
Jhn 10:25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father‘s name, they bear witness of me.
Jhn 10:32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
Jhn 10:37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
Jhn 10:38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.
Jhn 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
Jhn 14:11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works‘ sake.
How the Same Power Works in Yahusha’s Disciples
If you think you are a Christian but not necessarily a Disciple of Yahusha it is because a corrupt and powerless organized religion has sold you a bill of goods.(a lie)
I am going to write an entire post on what discipleship entails. It is what Yahusha has called us to.
For the power of God to operate in our lives in the same way it did in Yahusha’s life and His disciples’ lives, we must walk as He walked. We must learn to obey all that Yahusha taught. We must follow His lead, and listen for His voice and the voice of His Father in us. He left us promises if we love Him and obey Him.
It’s ALL about Abiding
Jhn 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
Jhn 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
Jhn 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
Jhn 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
Jhn 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Jhn 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
Jhn 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
Jhn 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
Jhn 15:9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
Jhn 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
Jhn 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
Jhn 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Jhn 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Jhn 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Jhn 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
Jhn 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Jhn 15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.
Earlier in the evening Yahusha made these statements about abiding.
Jhn 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
Jhn 14:22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
Jhn 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
Anyone who loves Yahusha in truth and deed will keep his commandments. Both the Father and the Son will come to that person and make their abode with that person. If that is you, then you have both the Father and the Son dwelling in you. When Yahusha arose from the dead He appeared to His disciples and declared, Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All authority is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Miraculous or supernatural power was always credited to the Father. Therefore if both the Father and the Son are abiding in you then all the power of the Father and all the authority in heaven and earth that belongs to the Son are abiding in you. The Father cannot be separated from His power and the Son cannot be separated from His authority therefore all this dwells in you. Believe it!
What exactly does it mean to abide in Yahusha? The apostle John defined for us exactly what it means to abide in Yahusha.
1Jn 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
When Yahusha was in heaven with His Father the scriptures says Php 2:6-8 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Yahusha laid aside EVERYTHING IN HEAVEN to become a man because His Father told Him to.
But then, what people fail to understand is that once He was a grown man and it was His time to fulfill the mission His Father gave Him to do, Yahusha laid aside EVERYTHING ON EARTH to fulfill His Father’s will. Yahusha had a job, a home, a family, and possessions, just like anyone else. Yet He left His home, job, possessions, and life in Nazareth and moved to Capernaum to begin His ministry. He didn’t buy a house there, He found someone who would give him shelter and dwelt there.
At the time of His crucifixion, Yahusha was homeless and penniless. His total worldly possessions were the garments He had on and a pair of sandals.
Mat 8:20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
Mat 27:35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.
If we are to walk as He walked there can be NOTHING ON EARTH we cannot leave behind to follow Him, especially money and possessions.
Mat 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
Mat 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
Mat 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Mat 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
The Greek word “μαμμωνᾶς” (mammonas) translated as mammon refers to wealth or material possessions.
I repeat my opening statement: What exactly does it mean to abide in Yahusha? The apostle John defined for us exactly what it means to abide in Yahusha. 1Jn 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
To abide in Yahusha and for Yahusha to abide in us, we must keep His commandments, live according to His teachings, love one another, and walk, even as He walked.
Jhn 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man loves me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
Jhn 17:9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
Jhn 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
Jhn 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
To see the power of God operate in our lives we must have the Father and the Son abiding in us and we must be abiding in Them.
When that is true, all the power and authority of the Godhead is dwelling in you.
Examples of laying on of hands in Yahusha’s disciples
Early on at the church in Jerusalem Saul is persecuting the followers of Yahusha and the church begins to scatter into Judaea and Samaria. Then the apostle Philip goes up to Samaria to teach in those areas. Signs and miracles accompany his teaching. We will look at this more in detail in the next section but for now, here is the account of the power of God in one of Yahusha’s disciples.
Act 8:5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ unto them.
Act 8:6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
Act 8:7 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.
There are many accounts of the power of God demonstrated in Paul’s life, here are a couple of them.
Act 19:11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:
Act 19:12 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.
Paul raises Eutychus from the dead:
Act 20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
Act 20:8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.
Act 20:9 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.
Act 20:10 And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.
Act 20:11 When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.
Act 20:12 And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted
Paul on the Island of Malta:
Act 28:1 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.
Act 28:2 And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.
Act 28:3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
Act 28:4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.
Act 28:5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
Act 28:6 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.
Act 28:7 In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.
Act 28:8 And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.
Act 28:9 So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:
Act 28:10 Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.
The power of God manifesting through the laying on of hands is not limited to Yahusha and the original disciples. Yahusha intended and fully expects all of His disciples to do the works that He did and even greater works.
Now let’s take a look at the impartation of spiritual gifts through the laying on of hands.
Laying on of Hands for Impartation
The scriptures contain accounts of the passing of spiritual gifts through the laying on of hands. We are going to look at some examples from those scriptures to document this truth properly. I will begin with Moses and Joshua. (a side note, just in case you did not know, Joshua’s name in Hebrew is Yahusha, exactly the same as Yahusha, Jesus)
The time has come for Moses to die. Yahuah has told him that his time has come and has instructed Moses to appoint Joshua as his replacement as the leader of the tribes of Israel. Below is the account of Yahuah giving Moses instructions on appointing Joshua and instructing Moses to lay his hands on Joshua. After you read this account I will add the scriptures from Deuteronomy that specifically says that wisdom was imparted to Joshua from Moses by Moses laying his hands on Joshua.
Num 27:18 And Yahuah said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him;
Num 27:19 And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight.
Num 27:20 And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.
Num 27:21 And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before Yahuah: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.
Num 27:22 And Moses did as Yahuah commanded him: and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation:
Num 27:23 And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as Yahuah commanded by the hand of Moses.
Now here is the verse from Deuteronomy..
Deu 34:9 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 Yahuah commanded Moses.
In this example of Moses and Joshua, we see transactions both in the natural and spiritual realms. In the natural realm, we see Moses giving honor to Joshua by publicly laying his hands on him and giving him charge to be his replacement. Then in Deuteronomy, we see that Joshua received a greater portion of the spirit of wisdom from Moses by the laying of Moses’ hands on him.
The Gift of the Holy Spirit by the Laying On of Hands
This is another example of impartation by the laying on of hands. I do not know how anything can compare to the gift of the Holy Spirit. Blessings, healings, and spiritual gifts have been verified by scripture and discussed in this post up to now, but do any of those compare to the gift of the Holy Spirit? Why has this act been lost to our churches in this age? Let’s take a look at the scriptures and see what we can discover.
In the book of Acts, we see the Church in Jerusalem being persecuted and except for the apostles many believers were scattered throughout Judaea and Samaria.
Act 8:1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
As the Word spread throughout the region, the apostle Philip went from Jerusalem into a city of Samaria and preached to them things concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Yahusha Ha Mashiach. As he preached the Word was confirmed by miracles Philip performed while he was preaching.
Act 8:5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
Act 8:6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
Act 8:7 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.
Act 8:8 And there was great joy in that city.
Those who believed were baptized in water in the name of Yahusha Ha Mashiach, aka Jesus the Christ. As yet, no one had received the gift of the Holy Spirit. This, to me, bears a resemblance to many denominational churches today. Many baptize in water but ignore the gift of the Holy Spirit. But now, the rest of the story.
Act 8:9 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:
Act 8:10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
Act 8:11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
Act 8:12 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.
Act 8:13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
Act 8:14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
Act 8:15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
Act 8:16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
Act 8:17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
Act 8:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
Act 8:19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
Act 8:20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
Act 8:21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
Act 8:22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
Act 8:23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
Act 8:24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.
Act 8:25 And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.
Above is the first example of the gift of the Holy Spirit being imparted to believers through the laying on of the apostle’s hands. Let’s take a look at a second example.
In Acts chapter 19, the apostle Paul is passing through Ephesus for the first time and encounters some believers. They have been taught by a man named Apollos, a teacher of the Hebrew scriptures who had learned the way of Yahusha but only knew of the baptism of John. When Paul encounters these men he asks them if they have received the gift of the Holy Spirit and they reply that they have never heard of the Holy Spirit.
Act 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,
Act 19:2 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.
Act 19:3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.
Act 19:4 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.
Act 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Act 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Act 19:7 And all the men were about twelve.
Act 19:8 And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.
Once again, we see the gift of the Holy Spirit being imparted to these men through the laying on of Paul’s hands. This is made possible by the correct teaching of the kingdom of God and the name of Yahusha Ha Mashiach.
Let’s look at a couple more examples of impartation and that will conclude this post of the Doctrine of Laying on of Hands.
In this example, Paul is writing to Timothy and reminding him to stir up the gift of God that was given to him through the process of Paul laying his hands on Timothy. This is most likely referring to the gift of the Holy Spirit once again.
2Ti 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,
2Ti 1:2 To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
2Ti 1:3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;
2Ti 1:4 Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;
2Ti 1:5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.
2Ti 1:6 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.
2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
My final example is once again Paul reminding Timothy not to neglect the spiritual gift that was given to him by the elders of the church when they laid their hands on him and prophesied over him.
1Ti 4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
This concludes my post on the Doctrine of Laying on of Hands. This teaching is important to restoring the power of God to those who will preach and teach this gospel of the kingdom of God and of the name of Yahusha Ha Mashiach. The power lives in the elect of God 2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.