Contents

Introduction

1    Promotion and Exaltation

2    Gifting and Equipping

3    Separating and Releasing

4    Healing and Deliverance

Conclusion

Introduction

Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on to 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

I have emphasized the word "foundation" and the phrase "laying on of hands" in these two verses to show that the doctrine of laying on of hands is a foundational doctrine of the Church. In any building, the foundation is very important if you are to have a good superstructure. Likewise, in building up the Body of Christ, laying on of hands is foundational and necessary if we are to have a strong Church (superstructure).

It is amazing how many believers try to build their lives and ministries without a foundation. You cannot build without a foundation. When the winds blow and the floods come, without a strong foundation, your house will collapse. This is the reason so many individual believers and corporate ministries fall. They lack a strong foundation.

Laying on of hands is a foundational doctrine. As a believer, you need to understand and operate in this doctrine. You must build your life upon this spiritual truth if you expect to stand in this day.

This book is written on the premise that when the Lord wants to release His power in the earth, He often does it through the laying on of hands. The word power in the Bible is the Greek word dunamis, from which we derive our word dynamite. When we speak of "dunamis", we are referring to power for prosperity, promotion, exaltation, healing, deliverance and overall ministry.

Within these pages you will find God's purpose for the laying on of hands divided into four parts:

(1)    For promotion and exaltation;

(2)    For gifting and equipping the saints;

(3)    For separating and releasing ministries;

(4)    For healing and deliverance.

To many, the laying on of hands may be an insignificant doctrine that does not need much attention. To some, it may seem the laying on of hands is foolish and over emphasized. But God chooses the foolish things of the world to accomplish His purposes in the earth.

The laying on of hands is not a doctrine that can be overlooked. If we overlook it, we will not receive all God has for us. If we teach this doctrine and practice it, we will see tremendous results in our lives and churches.

Chapter 1

Promotion and Exaltation

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

The first purpose we will discuss for the laying on of hands is promotion and exaltation. When the Lord desires to promote and exalt a person in the Kingdom, He will often do it through the laying on of hands. We see this in the life of Joshua. Moses was commanded by the Lord to lay his hands upon Joshua for the purpose of establishing him as the leader for the next generation of Israel.

Every new generation needs new leadership, and the Lord promotes and exalts those with the right spirit. Joshua is described as "a man in whom is the spirit". In other words, he was the one with the right spirit to be the next leader.

Joshua did not promote himself. He waited for promotion from the Lord. There are too many ministers who try to promote themselves and their ministries. They are like Adonijah, the son of David, who prepared chariots and horsemen and declared himself to be the next king (1 Kings, ch. 1). Joshua, on the other hand, was referred to as Moses' minister (Joshua 1:1).

He was a faithful servant unto Moses. Because he was faithful to Moses, the Lord promoted him to be the next leader of Israel. In doing so, Moses was commanded by the Lord to lay his hands upon Joshua and transfer to him the mantle for leadership.

Moses was commanded to do this openly — in front of the congregation. Everyone needed to see the person whom Moses laid his hands upon. This exemplifies the reason public ordination is so important. The people would be able to identify the next leader. There would be no doubt in their minds as to who was replacing Moses.

Many local assemblies end up in confusion after a strong leader dies, because the people don't know who is ordained by the Lord to take the reins of leadership. The church usually ends up searching for a new pastor, and often vote someone into that office who is not anointed for the position. The leader did not transfer authority through laying on of hands, and the people suffer as a result.

Moses was also commanded to give Joshua a "charge". According to the Webster definition, a charge means "to impose a task or responsibility on" the person who, as the recipient of laying on of hands, has a responsibility to fulfill. There was a charge given by Paul to Timothy (2 Timothy 4:1-2). It is a solemn responsibility given by the leader to the recipient.

Finally, Moses was told to put some of his "honor" upon Joshua. The word honor is the Hebrew word hewd meaning grandeur, beauty, comeliness, excellency and majesty. Honor is a part of exaltation. When Moses laid his hands upon Joshua in the presence of the assembly, he was transferring honor to him for leadership.

Leaders need honor from the Lord (and the people) in order to be effective. When you receive honor, you will be promoted and exalted into a position of leadership.

Oftentimes people fail as leaders because they have not received honor. Honor can be transferred through the laying on of hands. Thus, the laying on of hands is a key to promotion and exaltation.

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

There was also an impartation of wisdom given to Joshua through the laying on of hands. To impart means to give or convey. Wisdom is also a key to promotion and exaltation. The word wisdom here is from the Hebrew root chakam meaning to be wise in mind, word, or act. It means to think wisely, speak wisely, and act wisely. It also means to be able to teach wisely and deal wisely. Every leader needs this chakam wisdom. Without it, you will not be capable of leading God's people.

Joshua received the honor and wisdom he needed to become the next leader of Israel, from Moses, through laying on of hands. When promotion and exaltation come from the Lord, grace will also be imparted unto you to walk in a higher calling. You cannot walk in a higher calling without the ability that comes from grace. Grace was released unto Joshua through laying on of hands.

The hands of a spiritual leader are channels through which the power of God for promotion and exaltation flow. The honor and wisdom they walk in can be transferred to you. When you are faithful to a spiritual leader as Joshua was to Moses, you can expect to be rewarded by the Lord with promotion. The Lord promotes those who promote His leaders.

Spiritual leaders also need to have a revelation of the tremendous power they can release through laying on of hands. God will promote and bless those whom the leader lays hands upon. Leaders need to discern the Joshuas the Lord places under their authority. The true spiritual Joshuas are those with the right spirit.

I have often been checked by the Holy Ghost not to lay my hands upon some ministry gifts because I discerned they did not have the right spirit. We have an unction from the Holy One and know all things (1 John 2:20). Leaders need to follow their spirits with the help of the Holy Spirit in promoting others.

Remember, the Lord is always promoting people based on faithfulness and His purpose. As one generation serves the Lord and departs, another must take its place. The laying on of hands is a doctrine that will help us in this transfer of authority. There are vacancies in the spirit because there is no one to fill the void.

The Kingdom will suffer if there are no Joshuas to fill the void of Moses. The devil does not want to see the Joshuas promoted. He does not want to see honor and wisdom released, for promotion and exaltation, to the next generation. He does not want the Church to understand and walk in the power that is released through laying on of hands.

However, the Lord has given the Church knowledge and revelation of these things, by His Spirit, through the Word of God. We are not just laying empty hands on empty heads, but we are learning how to flow with God's methods and learning to release the power of God in the earth.

We are releasing the next generation of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. Once local churches receive the revelation of laying on of hands and practice this doctrine, we will see a greater manifestation of God's power through His people. We will see stronger leaders and stronger churches come forth.

Blessing Released

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.

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.

Genesis 48:13-14

Now, we will look at blessing through the laying on of hands as a way to promotion and exaltation. Israel (Jacob) is blessing the two sons of Joseph. To bless simply means to praise or speak well of. The Lord told Abram, "I will bless thee and make thy name great." Blessing is a key to having a great name. Israel blessed his grandsons by laying his hands upon them and speaking prophetically over their lives.

However, through the leading of the Lord, he switched the birth order. He crisscrossed his hands to lay his right hand upon the younger son's head (Ephraim), and his left hand upon the older son's head (Manasseh). The right hand was the hand of greater blessing.

While each son received a blessing because Israel spoke well of them both, Ephraim received a greater blessing since Israel spoke greater things over his life. Blessing through laying on of hands, accompanied by the prophetic word, does not depend on natural birth order. The call of God is based on grace. The Lord chooses whom He wills.

The Scripture says Israel guided his hands "wittingly". He was led of the Lord in the way to lay his hands upon the two sons. The laying on of hands is not some arbitrary practice. It is something that should be divinely directed by the Lord. Exaltation, promotion, and the future of their descendants depended upon this blessing through the prophetic word and the laying on of hands.

And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head.

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.

Genesis 48:18-19

To this extent, the greater blessing came through the right hand and the lesser blessing through the left. The power of blessing released, through laying on of hands, would affect the future generations of the two sons of Joseph. This single act would affect entire nations of people! Your destiny and the destiny of your children can hinge on the laying on of hands! This alone should cause us to approach this subject with reverence and awe. It is foundational to the plans and purposes of God in the earth.

Israel laid hands upon the two sons of Joseph when they were children. Jesus also laid His hands upon children (Matthew 19:13-15). There is strong precedence in the Word for laying hands on the children to bless them. There is an ability in our hands to affect entire generations to come!

For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.

But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

Psalm 75:6-7

There are three types of promotion: 1) self-promotion, 2) promotion by man, and 3) promotion by God. Selfpromotion and promotion by man can be fleshly and demonic. There is, however, a promotion by man that can be of God. Moses promoted Joshua by placing honor upon him by the leading of the Lord.

To promote, according to Webster, means "to advance in station, rank, or honor; to contribute to the growth or prosperity of." To exalt means "to raise in rank, power, or character; to elevate by praise or in estimation."

Both promotion and exaltation come from God, but often through a man. When the Lord desires to promote and exalt you, He will often send a person into your life to bless you. I desire to associate with those who can bless me. I don't seek to promote myself, but allow the Lord to lead me into divine relationships. There are people that I am to meet and associate with, according to the Lord's plan for my life, chosen before the foundation of the world.

The Lord desires to place you under a mentor that can lay hands upon you and bless you. It is an important key to promotion and exaltation that comes from the Lord. This is why finding the right mentor is so important. By understanding the doctrine of laying on of hands as it relates to promotion and exaltation, you will be in a position to receive the blessings the Lord has prepared for all of His children.

... before honour is humility.

Proverbs 15:33

... ; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Matthew 23:12

There is, of course, more to being honored and exalted than laying on of hands. Humility is also a requirement for promotion and exaltation. The word of the Lord tells us that "before honour is humility", and humility comes before exaltation. This is why I believe the Lord uses the laying on of hands as a way of promotion and exaltation. Although promotion and exaltation comes from the Lord, it often comes through human channels.

The Lord will cause us to humble ourselves and submit to another to receive the impartation we need. This submission will result in our mentors laying hands on us to impart spiritual blessings.

Pride and Rebellion are spirits that will keep you from submitting to another to receive spiritual endowments through laying on of hands. The Lord will not promote and exalt a person apart from humility. He will lead us into divine relationships to receive the impartation we need.

There are some anointings received directly from the Lord, but there are others that will come through laying on of hands.

Joshua submitted to Moses. Elisha submitted to Elijah. Timothy submitted to Paul. They all received impartation because of submission. I have seen ministers who were unwilling to submit to proper spiritual authority, and as a result, never received the spiritual deposits necessary to fulfill their calls.

John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.

John 3:27

All spiritual gifts and endowments come from heaven. Man cannot give you these things. They come directly from the Throne of Grace. Man is simply a channel through which grace can come.

God has set up an authority structure in the Kingdom of God, and He operates through and honors this authority. The Church has been given the keys of the Kingdom. We have the power of binding and loosing. And since the Lord has given authority to the Church, He will release His power and blessing through the Church.

When you submit to proper spiritual authority, God's power and blessing can be released on your behalf through laying on of hands. When you rebel against the authority the Lord has established in the Church, you will not receive all of the spiritual impartation available to you.

The Lord will use your spiritual leaders as channels to bless you. They are channels for promotion and exaltation. As you submit to your spiritual leaders, they will in turn lay hands upon you for promotion and exaltation. A leader can place some of his honor upon you, just as Moses did unto Joshua.

Chapter 2

Gifting and Equipping

Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Acts 8:17

And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Acts 19:6

The second purpose of laying on of hands is for gifting and equipping, for the purpose of doing the works of Jesus. The first gift every believer needs is the gift of the Holy Ghost. He will empower and equip you for service. You will never be equipped to do the works of Jesus without receiving the Holy Ghost. Gifting and equipping are necessary for effective ministry. The Lord would never send us forth as ministers of the New Testament without first gifting and equipping us.

It would be unfair for Him to give us responsibility without divine ability. We must have the ability to carry out what we have been commissioned to do. Laying on of hands is the primary way for saints to receive this gifting and equipping. The power of God is released, giving the recipient the grace needed to fulfill the call of God.

For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

Romans 11:29

Notice that gifting and calling go together. The Lord will gift you for what He has called you to do. Every believer has been called to do the works of Jesus (John 14:12). This includes preaching, teaching, healing, and deliverance. All believers need the gift of the Holy Ghost to fulfill that call.

The first thing the apostles would do after people believed was to lay hands upon them to receive the Holy Ghost. The Spirit of God honors the laying on of hands as a channel through which He comes. If the Holy Ghost honors laying on of hands, how much more should we as believers honor this doctrine?

As the apostles would lay hands upon believers, the Holy Ghost would come upon them. We, as believers, can walk in the same spirit of faith as we lay hands upon believers. We can expect the Spirit of God to come upon them because He has chosen to honor the laying on of hands.

We can expect the same results because we are following biblical order established by the apostles. Laying on of hands is a foundational doctrine we can stand on, in faith, to receive supernatural results. We have the Word of God backing us as we lay hands upon people to receive the Holy Ghost. In this way, we are gifting and equipping them for service.

Tremendous power is released into the earth as a result of believers walking in the fullness of power that comes through receiving the Holy Ghost.

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 earnest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

Acts 9:17

Here, we see the Lord using a disciple named Ananias to lay hands upon Saul to receive the Holy Ghost. Saul was receiving the gifting and equipping he needed to begin his ministry. Here, again, we see the principle that when the Lord desires to release His power into the earth, He often does it through laying on of hands. By using Ananias to lay hands on Saul, the Lord released into the earth one of the strongest ministry gifts the Church has ever known.

Although Paul's call and ministry were unique in that he did not receive his revelation of the Gospel from man, the Lord had a disciple lay hands upon him at the start of his ministry. This was a sovereign move of God to bring both Paul and Ananias together.

I believe Paul's pride received a devastating blow on the road to Damascus. He also had to submit to Ananias in the matter of laying on of hands. The laying on of hands can be a humbling experience on the part of the recipient. Many will say, "I don't need anyone to lay hands upon me. I can receive all I need directly from God."

While it is true that you can receive the Holy Ghost without the laying on of hands, the Lord will often have you submit to the laying on of hands in order to receive the blessing and power you will need to fulfill your destiny. This will destroy spiritual pride. Although we can receive much power directly from God, the Lord will often send a person into your life with the ability to impart to you what you need. It is humbling to have to submit to another for spiritual impartation.

For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;

Romans 1:11

In order to better understand God's power through laying on of hands, we must understand the subject of impartation. The word impart is taken from the Greek word metadidomi meaning to give over or to share. It means to convey from one person to another. The Apostle Paul had a desire to impart unto the saints "some spiritual gift." The Weymouth translation says, "in order to impart to you some spiritual help."

Therefore, what Paul was imparting would be of spiritual help to the saints. Spiritual impartations are given to help us fulfill the will of God for our lives. This is a part of equipping. We are equipped to do the work of the ministry through impartation.

The result of impartation is establishment. The New English Bible translates this: "to make you strong". The Twentieth Century New Testament says, "and so give you fresh strength". Thus, the believer is equipped with fresh strength as a result of impartation.

One channel by which this impartation comes is through laying on of hands. We know that Timothy received a spiritual gift through the laying on of hands by Paul. This is impartation from one ministry gift to another. Timothy was strengthened and equipped for his ministry as a result of impartation.

Impartation will often come through association. In this way, there will be a transference of anointing from or to the people you associate with. We can receive through impartation from the ministries we submit to and associate with.

There are, I believe, divine relationships ordained by the Lord before the foundation of the world. There are certain people the Lord has predestined for you to link up with in the spirit. They will have the spiritual deposits you need. You can receive these deposits through laying on of hands.

So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

1 Corinthians 1:7

It is the will of the God that the Church operate in all of the gifts and anointing it needs as we await the return of our Lord. It is not the will of God for us to lack any necessary gift. He has given us the means to obtain all we need. He is ready and willing to gift and equip us with all the spiritual grace we need to complete our commission: to preach the gospel to all nations, and make disciples of all men.

If we are lacking in spiritual power, it is not the Lord's fault. This is why the doctrine of laying on of hands is so important. It is a channel through which we can receive the spiritual gifts we need as we wait for the coming of the Lord.

Far too many churches are deficient in spiritual gifts because they do not know how to release God's power through laying on of hands. When you are deficient in spiritual gifts, you will not be the able ministers of the New Testament that the Word talks about. A weak and spiritually anemic church is the result of a lack of spiritual gifts. I am so tired of weak Christians and weak churches.

The Word tells us to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. We are to be strengthened with might by God's Spirit in the inner man. It takes spiritual strength to cast out devils, heal the sick, raise the dead, and reach the lost. Without the gifting and equipping that comes through impartation, the church becomes traditional and ceremonial. Many have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof. The Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power! There is too much preaching of the letter without the power and demonstration of the Holy Spirit.

It is important to associate with strong ministries and receive impartation through laying on of hands. You need to associate with strong churches and strong ministries. If you associate yourself with weakness, you will become weak. If you associate with strength, you will become strong. You become like the people you associate with. Don't allow yourself to become weak by linking up with the wrong kind of believer.

You must find your own company and fellowship there. You must find a New Testament church that believes in and practices the doctrine of laying on of hands. You need strong apostles and prophets to lay hands upon you and impart spiritual gifts and strength. Then, you will be able to rise up and be the strong believer the Lord expects you to be.

Impartation of Spiritual Gifts

Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

1 Timothy 4:14

Beyond the gifting and equipping that every believer needs to do the works of Jesus, there is special gifting needed for five-fold ministry. Not everyone is called into the ministry of apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor or teacher. There is gifting and equipping that will come at the time of separation for a specific ministry. This gifting and equipping can be received through prophetic presbytery.

The presbytery is the group of ruling elders in a local church or a group of local churches. Elders need to flow in prophecy along with the laying on of hands. This is one of the ways Timothy received gifting and equipping for his call into the ministry. This is a biblical pattern for ordination.

At the time of ordination, ministers need prophetic utterances spoken over them, with the laying on of hands, for impartation of spiritual gifts. Each ministry has a prophetic destiny that needs to be revealed and activated through prophetic presbytery. The laying on of hands imparts the spiritual gifts needed to fulfill the call. As a result, the person receives the word of the Lord concerning their life and ministry, plus the power and ability needed to fulfill it, through the laying on of hands.

When ministry gifts do not receive this kind of ministry, they often lack the prophetic direction and spiritual ability necessary to fulfill their call. The Lord desires to restore prophetic presbytery with the laying on of hands to the Church in its fullness. The laying on of hands has become ceremonial and traditional in some churches, lacking the power it had in the early Church to gift and equip ministers. When you receive gifting and equipping, you will become able ministers of the New Testament.

If we desire to have Bible results, we must begin to do things the Bible way. The early Church left us a divine pattern to follow. If we follow this pattern, we will begin to see supernatural results.

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.

2 Timothy 1:6

Paul is reminding Timothy to stir up the gift he received through laying on of hands. The Knox translation says, "to fan the flame of that special grace". The gift of God can be referred to as special grace. This is gifting and equipping that goes beyond the gift of the Holy Ghost, which is common grace to all believers. Special grace is needed to fulfill a special call into the ministry.

Paul warned Timothy not to neglect the gift, but to stir it up. The gifts of God must be continually stirred up by faith. A person can receive gifts through the laying on of hands and not operate in them because of spiritual neglect. The recipient of special grace through laying on of hands has a responsibility that comes with the gift. This is in line with the charge often given when hands are laid upon an individual.

The charge is a solemn responsibility the recipient must keep. Unto whom much is given, much is required. Don't be too anxious to receive impartation through laying on of hands unless you are committed to use what you receive.

The gifts received in this way are what I call spiritual deposits. The Lord desires to make spiritual deposits in all of us. He wants us to use these deposits to be a blessing to others. In essence, the Lord expects returns on His deposits. Just as we expect interest on bank deposits, the Lord expects interest on the gifts He deposits into us.

The Lord equips us with gifts, and He expects us to do something with what He has given us. He has equipped us to do the works of Jesus. He expects apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers to perfect the saints and build up the Body of Christ.

Every believer needs to ask the question: "Am I equipped to do what the Lord has called me to do?" If you are not, then how can you fulfill your call? Is the laying on of hands for gifting and equipping strong enough in our local assemblies? Is there enough teaching in this area for the saints to operate in this doctrine? If not, how can we be equipped to do what the Lord has called us to do?

Every local church should lay hands upon people to receive the Holy Ghost. Every believer needs to be baptized with the Holy Ghost. All believers need to be equipped to do the works of Jesus. Every local church should have elders who flow strongly in the laying on of hands. The saints need the spiritual strength that is released through laying on of hands.

These things will become stronger in our assemblies if we teach and emphasize their importance. The things of God operate and are received by faith. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. As we teach the Word of God in this area, the leadership will be able to release gifts, and the saints will be able to receive gifts, through the laying on of hands.

Once this truth is taught, received and practiced, the saints will be gifted and equipped. Gifting and equipping won't just happen, but we must teach and practice the laying on of hands. It will change a local church. Our churches will be full of the gifts of the Spirit. We will see stronger anointings come forth in our churches.

Don't draw back from teaching and practicing the laying on of hands. It is a foundational doctrine to equip the saints to perform the will of God. When you lay hands on people, do it in faith. Expect the Lord to move through the laying on of hands.

Chapter 3 Separating and Releasing

As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabus and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.

So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost,...

Acts 13:2-4

The third purpose for the laying on of hands is to separate and release ministry gifts into the earth. Barnabus and Paul were separated and released into their apostolic ministries through laying on of hands. In this case, it was accompanied by prayer and fasting. Again, we see the principle that when the Lord desires to release His power into the earth, He often does it through laying on of hands.

There are several points I want to emphasize in these verses. Number one is the Holy Ghost said "separate" Barnabus and Saul. They were to be separated to the ministry they had been previously called to. The Holy Ghost had already called them to be apostles, but they had not yet been separated unto that call. There is a time period between calling and separation called preparation. The laying on of hands was for separation.

There is a time for calling, preparation, and separation. The calling is sovereign and is by the Holy Ghost. The preparation to the call depends upon the individual's willingness to pray, study, and develop the character of Christ. There are different periods of preparation for different people.

For some it is longer than others, and patience is required until the time of separation to the actual ministry. The Holy Ghost knows the time of separation. Just because a person has a call does not mean they are ready to function in that capacity.

The call is only the beginning, followed by preparation, then separation. The gifting and equipping for ministry can also come at the time of separation for ministry. In other words, you can receive the grace you need to fulfill your call, at the time of separation, through laying on of hands.

Often ministry gifts go into ministry prematurely — without the necessary equipping and separation that is accomplished through the laying on of hands. This is one reason why so many ministry gifts are weak and ineffective, not because they have not been called, but because they have not been properly equipped and separated. Separation has to be done in proper spiritual timing. It should not be done prematurely, but by the leading of the Holy Ghost.

Notice also that the apostles did not leave the church at Antioch without the blessing of the other ministry gifts present. The Holy Ghost honors submission to the presbytery that comes through laying on of hands. After Paul and Barnabus were released to minister, they were accountable to the church at Antioch. They reported to this church after their missionary journeys. They were submitted and accountable to the ones who laid hands upon them.

The were not sent forth by the Holy Ghost until they were sent away through laying on of hands by the presbytery. Even though the Holy Ghost is divine, He works through men. This is one of the ways the Holy

Ghost separates and releases ministry gifts into the earth. Barnabus and Saul had to be separated from the local church to travel as apostles. They had to be released by the church.

We see here the authority that is given to the local church by the Lord. The Lord honors and recognizes this authority because it comes from Him. That authority to separate and release ministry gifts is released through the laying on of hands.

Based on this biblical pattern seen in the church at Antioch, there are several questions to ask if you feel called into the ministry:

(1)    First, do you have the necessary preparation (training, study, wisdom, character) to be separated to the call?

(2)    Do you have the necessary gifting and equipping to fulfill the call? (This will often come at the time of separation.)

(3)    Is it the right time for separation to that call?

Remember, the calling is sovereign and comes from God through the Holy Ghost. The preparation is dependent upon how you have responded to the call. You have a part in the preparation by studying, praying, and developing the character of Christ. This will take different amounts of time for different people.

The gifting, equipping, and separation can be done through laying on of hands after the calling and preparation have been established. The separation depends on proper spiritual timing to be determined by the Holy Ghost. Gifting, equipping and separation will, in turn, hinge on how well developed the church is in the area of prophetic presbytery. Mature prophets are needed in this area to release strong prophetic utterances.

Releasing Helps

Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

Acts 6:6

Deacons were released to serve through the laying on of hands by the apostles. The result was "the word of God increased; and the number of disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly" (Acts 6:7). Deacons were set in the church, thus freeing up the apostles to give themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word. Therefore, the laying on of hands is also a channel to release the Helps ministry in the church.

In this case, the Holy Ghost did not separate them. The church separated seven men full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, and set them before the apostles. The apostles gave their approval to the selection through laying on of hands.

Later, the Apostle Paul gave qualification for deacons (1 Timothy 3:10). They must first be proved before the laying on of hands to set them in the church, releasing them to serve. Just as ministers need to be released to minister in their call, deacons also need to be released to serve through laying on of hands.

Many churches have no prophetic presbytery and, as a result, do not have the ability to gift, equip, and separate people properly into their calling. The elders (presbytery) of the local church must be able to flow in the prophetic and be established in the foundational doctrine of the laying on of hands.

Ministry gifts can then be released after they have been gifted, equipped, and separated through laying on of hands. Prophecy, prayer and fasting will accompany the laying on of hands to release the grace and power needed for effective ministry.

Checks and Balances

Lay hands suddenly upon no man,...

1 Timothy 5:22

I believe this verse applies to specific ordination, but it is also a general principle to be followed by the Church. The word suddenly has to do with spiritual timing. We must be led by the Holy Ghost as to the proper time to ordain and separate ministry gifts.

The Holy Ghost knows the call, character and preparation of every believer. He knows the proper time to tell us when to lay hands upon ministry gifts for equipping, gifting and separation. Laying hands prematurely can be harmful for the Church and the believer. Again, we must be sensitive to the Holy Ghost in the area of laying on of hands.

In a general sense, this is also a warning to the Church concerning laying hands suddenly. This is especially true because of the transference of spirits. Just as Joshua received a spirit of wisdom from Moses through laying on of hands, a person can also receive the wrong spirit.

Paul warned the Corinthians about receiving "another" spirit. In the Old Testament, the sins of the people were symbolically transferred to the scapegoat by the laying on of hands (Leviticus 16:21). The Lord does not want you to be another's scapegoat (2 Corinthians 11:4). There is such a thing as a dangerous transference of spirits. There are two extremes to avoid as a believer.

First, being so afraid of an evil transference until you become paranoid of anyone laying hands upon you, or you laying hands upon anyone. Second, allowing everyone to lay hands upon you, or you laying your hands upon everyone. "Lay hands suddenly upon no man" gives us a balance. It does not tell us not to lay hands, but rather not to do it suddenly.

Put another way, don't be too quick to lay hands on people or allow people to lay hands on you. Be led by the Holy Ghost. Don't walk in fear, but walk in faith; and keep yourself covered by the blood of Jesus. Again, the laying on of hands is a powerful doctrine given to the Church to accomplish God's divine plan and purpose in the earth.

Chapter 4

Healing and Deliverance

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.

And devils also came out many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God....

Luke 4:40-41

The fourth purpose for the laying on of hands is for healing and deliverance. Notice the response of demons to the laying on of hands. When the anointing flows through the hands, into the bodies of those oppressed by the devil, it stirs up demons and drives them out. God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and power to heal those who were oppressed of the devil (Acts 10:38).

Sickness is an oppression of the devil. It is no wonder that the demons reacted as Jesus ministered through laying on of hands. Demons hate the laying on of hands. They do not want you to lay your hands on sick people and drive them out.

Some have been taught to never lay hands on demonized people, but this is not the teaching of Jesus. He laid his hands upon people who had demons and drove them out. I am not advocating that believers look for everyone who is demonized to lay hands upon, but you should not fear laying hands upon people to drive out demons. All deliverances do not require the laying on of hands, but it is a valid administration of the ministry of deliverance.

Virtue

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.

Acts 28:8

Sometimes the word dunamis is translated as power, and at other times, as virtue. When the woman with the issue of blood touched the hem of the garment of Jesus, He perceived virtue (dunamis) had gone out of Him. Healing virtue can flow into the bodies of the sick through the laying on of hands. If a believer is filled with the power of the Holy Ghost, he is filled with virtue.

This virtue can be used to heal the sick and drive out evil spirits. Virtue and power (dunamis) are the same. Spirit-filled believers can lay hands on the sick and expect to transfer virtue into their bodies. This virtue will drive out sickness and disease, which are the works of the devil.

You shall receive power (dunamis, virtue) after the Holy Ghost is come upon you. Believers are walking reservoirs of the healing anointing. You carry with you the virtue of Christ. The Lord desires to release His virtue into the earth through laying on of hands. Paul started a healing meeting on the island through laying on of hands. "So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:" (Acts 28:9).

There was enough healing virtue in the hands of Paul to heal every sick person on that island. No wonder demons hate and fight the doctrine of laying on of hands. They do not want believers to know the power and virtue that is released through laying on of hands. They want to hide the truth from you because it is the foundation of releasing the power of God into the earth.

...they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Mark 16:18

This is a sign that is to follow every believer. Every believer can lay hands on the sick and expect them to recover. This is different from laying hands by the presbytery to equip through impartation. Every believer is not a part of the presbytery. The Holy Ghost honors the laying on of hands by the presbytery when it comes to separating ministry gifts.

Every believer cannot lay hands upon ministers to release them the way the presbytery can. But every believer can lay hands upon people to receive the Holy Ghost for healing and deliverance. This honor has all His saints.

It is the responsibility of the five-fold ministry to train the Body in these areas. The Lord wants to release His people in the area of laying on of hands. All believers should be trained and released to lay hands on the people for healing, deliverance, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.

And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.

And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.

And he laid his hands on her and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

Luke 13:10-13

Jesus loosed this woman from a spirit of infirmity through the laying on of hands. There was an immediate, instantaneous healing. Thus, we have the power of loosing and the laying on of hands. Loosing people is a manifestation of deliverance. The Church has been given the power of Binding and Loosing. One of the ways we can operate in Loosing is through laying on of hands.

In this particular case, the woman received her healing through deliverance. There are some people who will not be healed until evil spirits are cast out. There is a fine line between healing and deliverance. These two ministries often overlap. The laying on of hands is effective in both cases. Once the evil spirit is cast out, the damage done to that part of the body can then be healed. Spirits of Death and Destruction also need to be cast out, along with Infirmity, in many cases.

Unforgiveness and bitterness also need to be renounced, in most cases, before healing and deliverance through laying on of hands can be effective. Working in unison with the laying on of hands is the command of the believer. Believers need to understand the subjects of Authority and Power in addition to the laying on of hands.

Special Grace

And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

Acts 8:18-19

Simon recognized the power the apostles had through laying on of hands and tried to purchase it. He was, of course, rebuked for his wrong motives. You cannot purchase the gift of laying on of hands. The apostles evidently had a greater measure of grace in this area.

All believers can lay hands on the sick for healing, and also on others to receive the Holy Spirit, but there are some believers who have a greater ability to release the power of God through laying on of hands. There are different measures of grace given to believers.

There is a common grace given to all believers to release power through laying on of hands, but there is also special grace given to others to go beyond what is common. Some have a greater ability to lay hands for healing and deliverance. Some have a greater ability to lay hands for the baptism of the Holy Ghost. The presbytery has the ability to impart spiritual gifts and separate for ministry.

Keep in mind, all believers are called to do the works of Jesus, but some have the ability to do greater works because of special grace. Those who have special grace in this area will usually be called on to lay hands in certain circumstances, but all believers still should be encouraged to flow in this area. I encourage all believers to discover your area of grace and operate within it.

If we learn to stay within our area of grace, we will be a blessing. If we go beyond our area of grace, we will cause confusion. If you do have special grace in the area of laying on of hands, your gift will make room for you. Others in the Body should perceive the grace given unto you. Whatever your grace is, you are responsible to release God's power into the earth through laying on of hands.

The laying on of hands is more than a Bible doctrine that we follow ceremonially, out of tradition. Instead, it is a powerful way of demonstrating the power of God. I believe the Lord will use the power released through laying on of hands to break open cities and regions with the power of God. It takes a demonstration of the power of God to open the eyes of those in darkness. The Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power! (I Corinthians 4:20)

As believers are taught how to release the power of God through laying on of hands, they will fulfill the call to destroy the works of the devil.

Special Anointings

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

There are special anointings given at certain times for healing and miracles. These anointings will last for a certain period of time and come as a result of God's mercy to men. We see an example of this in Paul's ministry at Ephesus. A special anointing was released through handkerchiefs and aprons. The Scripture says that God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul.

One of the words for special is extraordinary. These were extraordinary miracles. This anointing was beyond the ordinary anointing Paul ministered in. When special anointings come, they will cause a person to do things beyond the level they usually walk in. Sometimes special anointings come for a specified period of time, and then depart. This anointing came upon Paul while at Ephesus.

Special anointings can be released through laying on of hands. Special healing and miracles come as a result of special anointings.

Recently, I was in attendance at a service when a special anointing came upon a minister who instructed everyone who needed healing to run to the front of the auditorium. As the people rushed the altar, everyone he laid his hands upon fell under the power of God and was healed. This special anointing just dropped upon him so fast, it caught most of us by surprise. And just as quickly as it came, it lifted.

It amazes me how people come, after this type of service, requesting prayer. They should have jumped into that anointing when it came and received their miracles. When the special anointing comes, the servant of God must lay his or her hands upon everyone they can before that anointing lifts.

All believers can lay hands on the sick and work miracles (John 14:12), but all believers do not have gifts of healing and working of miracles. These are special ministries given to some for the benefit of the Church. They have been set in the Church by God. These are special anointings given to some by the grace of God.

Those with gifts of healing and working of miracles will have strong manifestations of God's power through laying on of hands. There are different levels of ministry that can flow through the laying on of hands. Those with special anointings, gifts of healing or working of miracles, will operate in a higher level through laying on of hands. The results will be faster and more dramatic because of God's special anointing.

Often when I minister, I sense a special anointing as it comes upon me to minister healing to the sick through laying on of hands. There are also times I feel a special anointing to lay hands and prophecy for impartation and activation of spiritual gifts.

If I don't sense a special anointing, I can still stir up the gift of God within me and minister in faith through laying on of hands. In other words, we don't have to wait for special anointings to come to have supernatural results. We can minister healing or deliverance, by faith, with the laying on of hands.

However, when a special anointing does come, we should act quickly and flow in that anointing until it lifts. Special anointings can last for one service, or even days, weeks, months, and sometimes years. The Scripture does not specifically tell us how long the anointing for special miracles rested upon Paul during his ministry in Ephesus. The Lord, in His love and mercy to man, provides seasons of special anointings.

Special anointings can break a city open to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. A nation can be changed because of special anointings. Tremendous power can be released through the laying on of hands with God's special anointings.

Conclusion

And his brightness was as the light; he had horns coming out of his hand: and there was the hiding of his power.

Habakkuk 3:4

This verse tells us that God's power is hidden in His hand. The word horns means rays of light. The Jerusalem translation says, "His brightness is like the day, rays flash from his hands, that is where his power lies hidden."

Just as power lies in the hand of God, it also lies in the hands of His servants. "And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people..." (Acts 5:12). "And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul..." (Acts 19:11). The Lord also tells us to "cleanse our hands" (James 4:8) and "lift up holy hands" (1 Timothy 2:8). There is tremendous power released through anointed, holy hands.

When believers have anointed, holy hands laid upon them, they can receive the abundance of grace needed to reign as kings in life. Believers can receive and release grace through laying on of hands. Believers can receive and release virtue through laying on of hands.

All believers need to be taught how to receive and release God's power through the doctrine of laying on of hands. Walk in faith and believe what the Word of God teaches in this area. Your life and church will never be the same after you practice this doctrine. We are to be doers of the Word and not hearers only.

Keep this teaching strong in your life and in the church. Remember, it is a foundational doctrine. If we build our lives and churches upon the foundational doctrines of the Word, we will stand and never fall.

Stay strong in the doctrine of laying on of hands, and never depart from the truths shared in this book. Remind yourself of them and continue in them.

Laying on of hands will become a part of your life and ministry, and God's power will be released through your hands!

Promotion, Gifting, Releasing and Deliverance

God has set up an authority structure in His kingdom, and He operates through and honors this authority.

When you submit to proper spiritual authority, God's power and blessing can be released on your behalf through laying on of hands.

Your understanding will be increased and your inner man refreshed as the wisdom and insight shared on this biblically sound doctrine unfolds in its fullness.

Once local churches receive the revelation of laying on of hands and practice this doctrine, we will see a greater manifestation of God's power through His people.

About the Author

John Eckhardt is called to impart and activate the gifts of the Spirit in order to raise up strong ministries in the body of Christ. A gifted man with a true apostolic and prophetic call on his life, his desire is to infiltrate the world with the Word of God. He is dedicated to perfecting the saints and training ministers to fulfill the call of God on their lives. Along with his apostolic and pastoral responsibilities, John Eckhardt produces "Perfecting the Saints", a daily television program, a daily radio broadcast, and ministers throughout the United States and overseas.

John Eckhardt resides in a suburb of Chicago with his lovely wife, Wanda, and their five beautiful children.

Table of Contents

Introduction

1 Promotion and Exaltation

2 Gifting and Equipping

3 Separating and Releasing

4 Healing and Deliverance

Conclusion