Laying On Of Hands

Q

I have a question regarding the “Laying on of Hands.” Is it just symbolic or can it impart healing, spiritual gifts or an infilling with the spirit? Also do you think that a ” transferable anointing” between one person and another is Biblical?

A

In Biblical times the laying on of hands was done as a sign of acceptance or approval, or to commission someone into ministry (1 Tim 4:14). But it was not done to convey an anointing or cause someone to faint, nor was it to be done casually (1 Tim 5:22). We see examples in Acts of the Holy Spirit coming on people spontaneously (Acts 2) through preaching (Acts 10:44) and through laying on of hands (Acts 19:6) Healing and other miracles were often performed from a distance as well.

There’s no Biblical basis for a transferable anointing. One person can not “give” the Holy Spirit’s power to another, who conveys these things upon believers just as He determines, for the common good. (1 Cor. 12:7-11)