This is about caring for each other in a relationship of service and fellowship. Jesus often ministered to people by reaching out his hand and healing the sick, lifting them up, feeding them and so on. Our hands are the means God has given us to show love and care for others. When we meet someone, we grasp their hands, we lay hands on their shoulder or arm to comfort them, and we hug them to show joy.

We express ourselves with the touch of a hand. This is not in an abusive or immoral way but in a holy manner as God’s children. Jesus ministered to bruised and broken lives by touching people with the love and power of his Father. We can do the same as his hands extended.

Through touch, we can help a needy person, and by identifying with them, we become an avenue for God’s divine love and power. When a person is full of the Spirit of God, a simple touch can bring deliverance. Our hands are the extension of his hands through the authority that Jesus gives us. (Matthew 28:18-20).

The Five Purposes of the Laying on of Hands

A hand has five fingers, so the laying on of hands is used in five ways:

• Healing: Mark 16:18, Luke 4:40-41, 13:11-13, Matthew 8:14-15. 

• Imparting Spiritual Blessings and Gifts: 1 Timothy 4:14, 2 Timothy 1:6. 

• Ordination: Acts 6:6, 13:2-3, Deuteronomy 34:9, Numbers 27:18-20.

• For the impartation of the Holy Spirit: Acts 8:17, 9:17, 19:6.

• Commissioning God’s Missionaries – Acts 15:1-3.

Laying on of hands is a means to impart God’s gifts and blessings to others.

Receiving Before Giving

Before we can give a gift, however, we must receive it from God. This is done by faith, prayer, and even fasting. This very important principle speaks of being in fellowship with others.

The touch of a hand cannot be experienced in isolation, and disciples of Jesus are called into fellowship and unity. The visible church is ordained by God to be the pillar and ground of truth. (1 Timothy 3:15).

Fellowship in the Church

By “church” I do not mean a historical building but the living Spirit-filled body of Christ meeting together in fellowship and praise and prayer, Bible study, fellowship and caring for one another in communion. (Acts 2:42).

The body of Christ should be structured along New Testament patterns and empowered by the Holy Spirit with prophets, evangelists, teachers and pastors functioning in apostolic teams. (Ephesians 4:11).

Believers are called to serve one another, and the mark of a great person is their service and humility. Jesus himself set the example. (John 13:13-14). It is in this kind of fellowship that we learn to love, serve and relate to others.

Growing Together, Not in Isolation

It is how we grow, not in isolation but wherever possible with others. Goats are independent wild creatures found individually or in small numbers running around the hills, whereas sheep live in flocks with shepherds to guide them to green pastures.

The Lord calls his followers as sheep, not goats. In a flock of sheep, it is the isolated and single ones that are vulnerable to predators, and so it is with believers: the devil attacks those who are isolated. (Hebrews 10:24-25).

This highlights the need for having strong relationships with other believers. Members of the flock who are weak, sick, young or old should be cared for by others in the flock. This is all part of true fellowship.

Join me as we continue on our journey through “A Life of Faith.”

Blog series Five – Principles for Life in Christ:

Episode 7: Resurrection of the Dead

Episode 8: Judgement, Eternal Judgement

Episode 9: Growing Up in Christ