The Laying on of Hands

Please turn in your Bibles to Hebrews 6 and verses 1 and 2. The book of Hebrews, chapters 6 and verses 1 and 2. We're going to find our topic for that we'll be speaking about today in these verses. Hebrews 6 and verses 1 and 2. Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles 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, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. In verse 3, this we will do if God permits. You know, in these verses are found some of the fundamental teachings of the Bible and certainly fundamental teachings of the Church of God, the foundation of repentance from dead works. That's where we all begin, repentance from dead works that we were involved in. And then faith toward God. Brethren, that's why we're here today on the Sabbath. That's why we're not there tomorrow. That's why we live the way that we live, the six days of the work week and on this Sabbath day, because of faith toward God. And we've laid a foundation of repentance from dead works. The doctrine of baptisms. Of course, that would be both baptism by water and the baptism with God's Holy Spirit. I guess by extension there is a baptism of fire referred to in the Sermon on the Mount. Then the resurrection of the dead. We certainly do believe in that. We teach about it. The resurrection of the dead. Death is not the end of everything at all. It's just a break in the action. It's a break in the action that the dead person is not even aware of. He knows nothing. It passes without any cognizance of time. And then eternal judgment. We do believe there is an eternal judgment. And we believe that that eternal judgment is upon the house of God even right now. We're being judged by what we know and what we do with what we know. We are accountable for what God has shown to us. And we will be judged on how we handle what God has shown to us. We are being judged moment by moment. We're being judged right now by our attitude, our zeal, our enthusiasm, our intent, our motive. The deepest levels of the heart and the mind. Eternal judgment is upon the people of God. So all of these are basic, fundamental doctrines of the Bible that we all, I believe, understand quite well. But there's one in here that I would like for us to discuss today. Why is this one important? That is, in verse 2, the second one listed, of laying on of hands.

Why do we find this one right here in the midst of others on the judgment, the resurrection, repentance, faith, baptism? Why do we find laying on of hands listed as one of the basic, fundamental doctrines and teachings? I don't know if you've ever heard a sermon or not. You probably have, but you've not heard one recently, in a way. And I think it would be very important for us to consider this doctrine this morning. Why is the laying on of hands important for us to understand? It's right up there with faith, repentance, baptism, resurrection, judgment.

What is the deeper significance to you and me? To you and me, the laying on of hands. Could not understanding and appreciating this doctrine keep you from entering God's kingdom?

Now, we know that if we didn't lay a foundation of repentance, what if you did not understand repentance? You think you'd be in God's kingdom? I don't think so. Jesus said, except you repent, you'll all likewise perish. So repentance is required.

What about faith? You think you could be in God's kingdom if you had no faith?

No. Is it important to understand judgment and resurrection? Yes.

So what about the laying on of hands? Could not understanding and appreciating and applying or living by this doctrine keep you out of God's kingdom? Yes, it could.

So today, let's search God's Word for the truth on the laying on of hands, and let's let it guide our hearts and our minds and our attitudes as a basic fundamental teaching of the Bible. Let's notice two or three examples then of the laying on of hands. First of all, in the book of Acts, Acts 8 and verse 5, Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached to them. And we know that these people, some of them, believed. And in verse 12 it says, when they believed what Philip was preaching concerning the kingdom of God. Notice the message Philip was preaching was the same message Jesus brought, the kingdom of God. In the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. And verse 14, when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the Word of God, they sent Peter and John. When they came down, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for as yet he had fallen upon none of them, it had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Verse 17, then they laid their hands, or they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit of this Simon. You can read about him earlier, but when he saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money saying, give me this power that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit. And Peter said, your money perish with you. This man was not converted, even though he was baptized, he was not repentant and not really converted. But don't we see then that even here there is something very important with the laying on of hands. They had not received the Holy Spirit, the people in Samaria. They had been baptized, but they had not received the Holy Spirit until Peter and John came, and they laid hands upon these people, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Now Peter and John had no Holy Spirit to give. It didn't come from them. They had nubby hands just like you and me. But yet they laid their nubby hands on these people, and they received the Holy Spirit from God. Let's go back to another example in Genesis chapter 48.

We can see already that God is involved, can't we, with the laying on of hands? He backs it up. In Genesis chapter 48 and verse 5, the two sons of Joseph, Ephraim, and Manasseh are here, brought before Jacob, who's very close to his death, not far away. And in verse 8, Israel saw Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, and said, Who are these? So Joseph explained who they were. And so in verse 12, Joseph brought them from beside his knees, and he bowed down with his face to the earth, and he took them both, Ephraim, with his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and Manasseh with his left hand toward Israel's right hand. He wanted Jacob or Israel's hands to fall upon the firstborn, the right hand upon Manasseh, the firstborn, and the left hand to fall upon Ephraim, the second-born.

Well, Israel had not been born just yesterday. He knew how Joseph would do it. In verse 14, he stretched out his hand, right hand, and laid it on Ephraim's head, the younger, and then he crossed his hand and placed it over on Manasseh, the left hand, guiding his hands knowingly. For Manasseh was the firstborn, and he blessed Joseph, saying these words. Well, in verse 17, notice when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him.

So he took hold of his father's hand to remove it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's. And Joseph said, Not so, my father, for this one is the firstborn, but your right hand on his head. But his father refused and said, I know, my son, I know, I wasn't born yesterday. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great. But truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his descendants shall become a multitude of nations. So he blessed them that day, saying, By you Israel will bless, saying, May God make you as Ephraim and Manasseh, and thus he set Ephraim before Manasseh.

You know, the part that fits into the sermon is that Israel laid hands, Jacob laid hands upon these two boys, Manasseh and Ephraim. He laid hands upon them and made pronouncements that we have seen to be fulfilled in our own day and time. Our booklet, The United States and Britain in Bible Prophecy, then go back to this prophecy here and others preceding it in the book of Genesis. These promises have been fulfilled in our time. Long after Israel was dead, God has fulfilled the promises, let's say, the blessing that was passed on through the hands of the blessing that was pronounced upon these two sons of Joseph through the hands of Israel.

A great blessing was passed on. Now, Jacob had no power to fulfill this prophetic blessing, and yet it has been and even is being fulfilled this day. Let's go to another example of the laying on of hands. Numbers 27, verse 18. The Lord said to Moses, take Joshua, the son of Nun, with you, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him. Set him before Eliezer the priest and before all the congregation, and inaugurate him in their sight. So, reading on down, you shall give him some of your authority to him, and all the congregation of Israel may be obedient.

He shall stand before Eliezer the priest, who shall inquire before the Lord for judgment of the Urim at his word. They shall go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he and all the children of Israel. So, Moses did, as the Lord commanded him, he took Joshua and set him before Eliezer the priest and all the congregation, and he laid his hands on him, and inaugurated him just as the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses.

So, Moses, you might say, ordained Joshua to take Israel in. Let's also read Deuteronomy 34. We read the same thing about the, you might say, the ordination of Joshua to lead Israel into the land. Deuteronomy 34 and verse 7, Moses was 120 years old when he died. So, Moses was now dead, and the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab 30 days. So, the days of weeping and mourning for Moses ended. Now, verse 9, now Joshua, the son of none, was full of the spirit of wisdom.

For Moses had laid his hands on him. So, the children of Israel heeded him, and did as the Lord had commanded Moses. So, Moses was now dead, but he had been ordained to take Israel in, and he took them in with a mighty hand. You can read the story in the next book, beginning right after these verses we've read. The book of Joshua. And so, this blessing upon Joshua was, didn't happen. It didn't take place. So, you know, these three examples show great accomplishments through the laying on of hands. But the accomplishments are not by men, but by God. But yet, the accomplishments involved human hands.

God simply used Peter and John as instruments. They laid hands on the people, and God granted the power of the Holy Spirit. Jacob laid hands on the two boys, the two sons of Joseph, and prophecy has been fulfilled.

God used Moses to ordain Joshua, and Joshua led Israel in by God's miraculous power with a high hand. In the Scriptures, then, there are many uses that we see for the doctrine of the laying on of hands. So, I would like for us to spend quite a bit of time considering the use of the laying on of hands in the Scriptures. Number one, you can list the seven that I have. There may be others, but these are the seven that I, as I understand. Number one is the Holy Spirit is given. Now, we read already Acts chapter 8 and verse 17, right? Peter and John came down to Samaria, and God granted the gift of the Holy Spirit with the laying on of hands. Let's also add to that one other verse that indicates this as being something we should do at the time of baptism. Acts chapter 19 and verse 5. Acts chapter 19 and verse 5. You know, the church of God, using these verses, lays hands upon the ministers, lay hands upon the newly baptized. When the person is baptized many times while he's still dripping wet. Now, sometimes we can give a person the option, especially in colder weather, to get dry, and then we'll have the laying on of hands. After all, it was a matter of days before the Samaritans, before Peter and John were able to get there and lay hands on the people. They've been baptized maybe a few days, quite a few days, before Peter and John came. So, but usually in our case, we can lay hands upon the recently baptized immediately, sometimes while they're still dripping wet, and ask God to grant the gift of His Holy Spirit. Well, Acts 19 and verse 5 says, when they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, and when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied all the men were about twelve in all.

So, these are the two examples in the Bible. I think the only two examples we have are scriptures that give the example of laying on of hands at the time of repentance and baptism, and God granting the gift of the Holy Spirit. Okay, the second use of the laying on of hands is, are the national blessings, the national blessings of Genesis 48. We will not go back and read that again, but the national blessings that were pronounced upon the descendants of Ephraim and Manasseh. The third use of the laying on of hands, we already have read about Joshua being inaugurated or ordained. The third one would be then that men are ordained to a specific office or work. Men ordained for a specific office or work. And we read that in Numbers 27 and Deuteronomy 34 as it applied to Joshua. But I want to come to the New Testament to show that something that we do in the Church of God, when we have someone to ordain as a deacon, we lay hands upon him. Someone to ordain as an elder, a pastor, we lay hands upon him.

And we follow the biblical example of that. Let's go to Acts 6. And we'll just get a few verses in the Bible showing that men are ordained to a specific office and work by laying on of hands. Acts 6 and verse 5. This is where there was a question that came up about taking care of the needs of some of the widows. The last part of verse 1, some of the needs of the widows were being neglected in a daily distribution of some of their needs. And so the 12 apostles asked that there be brought forward men of good reputation, seven. In verse 3, seven men of good reputation.

And they would have them to take care of some of the work. And we feel this would be like the office of a deacon here. And verse 4, we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the Word. That was their job to do. But these men would take care of some of the physical needs of the church, and in this case the widows. Verse 5, the saying, Please the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith, and the Holy Spirit, and the others are listed also. Verse 6, whom they set before the apostles. And when they had prayed, they laid hands on them, and the Word of God spread. So this is like ones that would take care of some of the physical needs, so the ministry would be able to go on and help in the calling they have to preach the gospel and do the ministry of God's Word. So these seven then would have performed the work of deacons. Let's go. But they had hands laid upon them, and they were set apart for that particular work. Let's go to Acts 13. Acts 13, verse 1.

Now in the church that was at Antioch, there were certain prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon, called Niger, Lucius of Serene, Manaiyan, who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. And the last one would be, of course, the apostle Paul, the one that became the apostle Paul. Verse 2, as they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, you know, God's Spirit indicated this like God's Spirit guides and directs. It doesn't mean that God's Spirit is a separate person. Many other verses would disprove that. The God's Spirit said it indicated to the apostles what was to be done. Separate me, Barnabas and Saul, for the work to which I have called them. So Barnabas and Saul were going to be given a special work to do. Verse 3, then, having fasted and prayed and laid hands on them, they sent them away.

So the apostle Paul, let's say Paul and Barnabas both became apostles at this point, and they were ones that would go out and would preach God's Word in many areas. They would take God's Word preaching the gospel, but they laid hands upon them to set them apart for their special work. Let's also go to 1 Timothy 4 and verse 14. 1 Timothy 4 and verse 14.

Paul said to Timothy, do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Now, we believe that this gift here was Timothy's calling to be a minister, not his baptism. We believe he would have had hands laid upon him at baptism, but this gift here that was given to him is more likely than at his ordination. His ordination to be a minister of God and help Paul in preaching and serving the needs of God's people at that time. But it was through the laying on of hands of the presbytery. The presbytery would be the elders, the ministry. That is the time that this gift was granted to Timothy. 2 Timothy 1 and verse 6. Just another page over. 2 Timothy 1 and verse 6. Therefore, I remind you to stir up the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

God has not given us the spirit of fear, but power, love, and a sound mind. But the stir up the gift of God. Now, it's a little unclear here. It was Timothy to stir up God's spirit that he had received at baptism. That could be. It could also refer to his calling as a minister. But either way, the laying on of hands was involved. There's no doubt about that. When he was baptized, Timothy had the laying on of hands. And when he was ordained as a minister of God, he had the laying on of hands. So, number three, then, men are ordained to a specific office or work by the laying on of hands. And number four. Number four would be that the sick are anointed. Let's read some verses where Jesus laid hands upon people during his ministry. In Mark 6, Mark 6 and verse 5. Mark 6 and verse 5. Now, in verse 4, he said, a prophet is not without honor except in his own country. That familiarity thing. A prophet is not without honor, no respect and recognition, except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house. People say, well, I grew up with him. He can't be anybody. In a way that reflects on them. Who can they be then? Kind of grew up together. He's nobody that kind of puts them in the same category, it seems to me. But that's the argument going on here. And that's why Jesus made that remark. In verse 5, now he could do no mighty work there.

Jesus did not do any mighty work. People didn't believe in him, didn't respect him, honor him. He could do no mighty work there, except notice that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them, and he marveled at their unbelief. So Jesus laid hands upon a few sick and healed them. Let's also read Luke 4 and verse 40. Luke chapter 4 and verse 40. When the sun was setting, all those who had anyone sick with various diseases, Luke 4 and verse 40, anyone sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid hands on every one of them and healed them. Jesus just went around, he laid hands upon the sick and healed them. Let's go to Acts 28. Acts 28, the apostle in the time of the apostle Paul.

We know this is the apostle Paul on his way to Rome. He would be in prison for two years in a house arrest situation, and they were on the island of Malta on the way.

So let's read about what happened in Acts 28 and verse 7. Now in that region there was in a state of a leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days. And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. And Paul went into him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. So again, we see the laying on of hands for the sick. Verse 9, when this was done, the rest of all of those on the island who had diseases came and were healed. And you would just assume then that they also, Paul, laid hands upon them, and they were healed. Oh, we skipped one verse. Let's go back in the Gospels, Mark 16 and verse 18.

But of course, in a way, this skips forward after the ministry of Christ to the Church of God. It shows what the Church of God is to do as far as laying on of hands for the sick. In Mark 16 and verse 15, Mark 16 and verse 15, go into all the world and preach the gospel. He who believes is baptized will be saved, and he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe. In my name they will cast out demons. They will speak with new tongues. They will take up serpents, and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. So there again, it shows what we are. We take this, you know, as a commission for us how we are to deal with the person that is sick and who does believe. We are to kneel down, and we are to pray, and lay hands upon the sick. And it is God who will raise them up. Let's go to James chapter 5 and verse 14.

We also anoint with oil, as these verses instruct us to do. James, in chapter 5 and verse 14, Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

You know, actually, these verses do not say to the laying on of hands. But you know, at the time that we anoint with oil, we followed that instruction in Mark that we just read. We lay hands upon the person. We anoint him with oil, and we lay hands upon him at the same time. And in the name of Jesus Christ, we ask Almighty God to heal and to restore and to raise up. Let's start as special miracles were done by the hands of the apostle Paul, and we still follow that example today. Acts chapter 19 and verse 11.

Acts chapter 19 and verse 11.

God, Acts 19 and verse 11, God worked special or unusual miracles by the hands of Paul. You know, notice how that is stated by the hands of Paul. God, brethren, that's the underscoring thing behind all of this. All that we're going to see with the laying on of hands is that God is behind it all. He's the one that is behind the scenes doing the actual work. God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them.

I mailed out this past week a couple of anointed cloths. I usually send out at least one or two every week. Kneel down and say, Almighty God, you've not changed from working through the hands of men as you did the apostle Paul. And ask God to perform unusual miracles because he has not changed. So sometimes people live such long distances, and like back in Paul's time, he just couldn't go everywhere and be everywhere. Neither can we. But we have this example. And you know, if you ever have an anointed cloth that is not a secondary method of God healing, God heals. It's God who heals if the minister does it with his own hands in person. It is God who heals the same God if you receive an anointed cloth. There's no difference. The healing is through Almighty God either way.

So number four, the sick are anointed when they are sick and with the laying on of hands and the anointing of oil. And God raises them up. Number five, as far as the laying on of hands, children are blessed and receive God's special protection. Let's read Mark 16.

Mark 16. And for the sake of time, I don't think I'll read the other two accounts that you can find in Matthew and in Luke. There are three accounts of this in the Gospels, but they're all the same thing. Mark 10, verse 13. Then they brought young children to him that he might touch them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was greatly displeased. And he said, Let the little children come to me and do not forbid them. For of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. It's just what we do ourselves today. We follow the example of the example of Jesus Christ. We take the little children up, we place our hands upon them, and we ask God to pronounce his blessing and protection upon them.

The final two are interesting, but they certainly are uses of the laying on of hands.

Number one would be that sins are confessed by the laying on of hands in the Old Testament as a type of the forgiveness of sin or the bearing of sin. Let's notice some verses on this, beginning in Exodus 29 and verse 10. This is where Aaron and his sons are consecrated for their work in the priesthood. Exodus 29 and verse 10. There was a lot of instruction here, even pertaining to their garments they were to wear. But notice in verse 10, you shall also have the bull brought before the tabernacle of meeting, and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands on the head of the bull. So, you know, they were being set apart for being the priesthood, and Aaron was himself the high priest. And his sons, of course, would be the ones in waiting to become high priests. They were to put their hands on the head of the bull. And then in verse 11, you shall kill the bull before the Lord by the door of the tabernacle of meeting, and take the blood and put it on the horns of the altar.

Now, skipping on down to verse 15, you shall also take one ram. They had a bull in verse 10, but in verse 15, you shall take a ram, and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands on the head of the ram. And you shall kill the ram and take its blood and sprinkle it all around about the altar.

And then, skipping on down to verse 19, you shall also take the other ram. See, there were actually then one ram in verse 15. You shall take the other ram, verse 19, and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands on the head of the ram. Then you shall kill the ram and take some of its blood and put it on the tip of the right ear of Aaron, and on the tip of the right ear of his sons, on the thumb of their right hand, and on the big toe of their right foot, and sprinkle the blood all around on the altar. And you shall take some of the blood that is on the altar, and so forth. You know, this is all a matter of types of forgiveness through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. They were officiating, actually, as a type of Christ, the real High Priest. And in their job, they were to be totally set apart then for the spiritual work that they were to do and the sacrifices that they were to make. But they were to lay hands upon these animals as a part of this process of consecration, denoting, actually, that they had sins themselves. They were just human sins that would need to be forgiven by the sacrifice of the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ. Let's go to Leviticus chapter 1 and verse 4. Leviticus chapter 1 and verse 4. In the Levitical priesthood, there's quite a bit of laying on of hands referred to. Leviticus chapter 1 and verse 4. He shall put his hand on the head of the burnt offering. So this is instruction about the burnt offering here. And he shall put his hand on the head of the burnt offering. It shall be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him.

So part of this sacrificing, right away, it involved the priest laying hands upon the sacrifice. In chapter 3 and verse 2. Leviticus 3 and verse 2. This is the sacrifice of the peace offering, verse 1. Without blemish before the Lord. Verse 2. He shall lay his hands on the head of his offering and kill it at the door of the tabernacle of meeting and sprinkle the blood around the altar. Again, all this is highly symbolic of what the blood of Jesus Christ accomplishes.

Verse 8. Again, he shall lay his hand on the head of his offering and kill it before the tabernacle of meeting. And Aaron's son shall sprinkle its blood all around on the altar. And in verse 13 of this chapter 3. He shall lay his hand on its head and kill it before the tabernacle of meeting. And the sons of Aaron shall sprinkle its blood all around the altar.

In chapter 4. Leviticus 4 and verse 15. The elders of the congregation shall lay their hands on the head of the bull before the Lord. This is for the sent offering. Notice the elders of the congregation. That'd be like the ministry at large. Shall lay their hands on the head of the bull before the Lord. Then the bull shall be killed before the Lord. In verse 24. He shall lay his hand on the head of the goat and kill it at the place where they kill the burnt offering before the Lord. It is a sent offering. In verse 33. Yet again, he shall lay his hand on the head of the sent offering and slay it as a sent offering at the place where they kill the burnt offering. So the priest would lay hands upon the different animals to be sacrificed. In one case there, the elders also the congregation. And all this is symbolic, though, of the sins of the people actually being turned over to the sacrifice and the fulfillment of it turned over to Jesus Christ.

Because Jesus Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of these sacrifices. But it's interesting that the priesthood and even the elders of the people in that one case would lay hands upon the animals to be sacrificed. Now, there's one other being that is responsible also for our sins. Now, we have our part. Jesus Christ handles our part, right? His sacrifice covers all of the areas where we would have to pay for our own sins. But what about the devil? Well, he has to ultimately have the sins laid upon him. And every day of atonement, they would have a special sacrifice to place the sins of the people upon this one goat that was then led into the wilderness and let go. Let's notice the laying on of hands was involved. Leviticus 16. We read this quite often on the day of atonement. In Leviticus 16 and beginning in verse 21. Leviticus 16 and verse 21.

Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, confess over it all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions concerning all their sins, putting them on the head of the goat, and shall send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a suitable man. The goat shall bear on itself all their iniquities to an uninhabited land, and he shall release the goat in the wilderness. This goat is not killed, but he does have sins placed upon his head and is through the laying on of the hands of the priest, the high priest, that these sins are laid upon this goat, which is symbolic of Satan the devil being bound, and his part in deceiving mankind is placed upon his own shoulders. So number six, I guess we could sum it up to say that men's hands are laid on in regard to sins being confessed and forgiven by the sacrifice of Christ, and also sins being placed upon the head of Satan the devil. Hands are involved. Number seven would be that there are examples in the Bible of evildoers being expelled by the laying on of hands. Let's notice a couple of examples of that. Leviticus 24 and verse 10. Evildoers being expelled from the congregation.

There is then authority involved in this. Leviticus 24 and verse 10.

Leviticus chapter 24 and verse 10. Now the son of an Israelite woman, whose father was an Egyptian, went out among the children of Israel, and this Israelite woman's son and a son of Israel fought each other in the camp. And the Israelite woman's son blasphemed the name of the Lord and cursed. And so they brought him to Moses, and he gives the mother's name, and the tribe Dan. Verse 12. Then they put him in custody, they put him in prison, or in hold, that the mind of the Lord might be shown to them. They didn't know exactly what to do here. Verse 13. The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, Take outside the camp him who has cursed.

Then let all those who heard him lay their hands on his head. That's interesting. All the ones that heard, all the witnesses, would lay their hands on his head. And then let all the congregation stone him. Then you shall speak to the children of Israel, whoever curses his God shall bear his sin. And whoever blasphemes the name of the Lord shall surely be put to death. And all the congregation shall surely stone him, the stranger as well as him who is born in the land. When he blasphemes the name of the Lord, he shall be put to death. So the congregation was even involved in that. That shows in a way, doesn't it, that when there is wrong that needs to be dealt with, cannot be tolerated in the congregation. That there is a responsibility that falls upon the congregation to make sure that that does not continue. It should be brought to the ministry, ones that can deal with it. But it should not be sin, outright sin, and violation of God's law cannot be tolerated, such as 1 Corinthians 5, the man who had committed fornication with his own stepmother, and it was to be dealt with. And another example is Nehemiah 13, of expelling of evildoers. They don't belong in the congregation of God. If that's the way they're going to live, they are to be put out. In Nehemiah 13, beginning in verse 15, in those days, I, thus Nehemiah, saw in Judah some people treading wine presses on the Sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and loading donkeys with wine, all this work and business going on.

They brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. I warned them about the day on which they were selling provisions. Men of tired dwelt there, who brought in fish and all kinds of goods, and sold them on the Sabbath to the children of Judah and in Jerusalem. I contended with the nobles of Judah. Brother, there's a time to stand up for it. You know, sometimes people don't stand up. How about you? Somebody has the gall to just go opposite God's way, opposite what we all should know. You have the gall to stand up for it? You should. Nehemiah did. I contended with the nobles of Judah and said to them, What evil thing is this that you do, by which you profane the Sabbath day? Did not your fathers do thus, and did not our guide bring all this disaster on us and on this city? Yet you bring added wrath on Israel by profaning the Sabbath. So it was, at the gates of Jerusalem, as it began to be dark before the Sabbath, that I commanded the gates to be shut. Nehemiah took action and charged that they must not be opened till after the Sabbath. I posted some of my servants at the gates so that no burdens would be brought in on the Sabbath day. Now the merchants and sellers of all kinds of wares lodged outside Jerusalem once or twice. They wanted to do their old former habits of buying and selling on the Sabbath. So I warned them and said to them, why do you spend the night around the wall? They were right outside around the wall. You do so again, I will lay hands on you. That's a different kind of laying on the fans, isn't it?

I'll lay hands upon you. And from that time it says they came no more on the Sabbath.

There's a time for action when people are just openly violating God's law, and it's not to be tolerated in the congregation. So brethren, I ask you, I've gone through a lot of verses today deliberately, verses that we probably have not read recently, maybe are not aware of even being there.

Are we beginning to see the importance of the laying on of hands?

God is doing His work, but He's doing it, and He's doing it through human hands. In all ages, down through history, God has been doing a work. He did a work back in the days of Noah, but whose hands built the ark? Hands of Noah and his sons. God is doing His work through hands.

Down through history, God has used men of God as instruments to perform and accomplish His will.

And it is very important that we understand that, and that we see beyond the human being that God is using, and never say, well, you're just a man.

Well, you know, all of us are just men, but some are just men of God, chosen, appointed, assigned to a certain work and a certain office. And we must always be able to see that and respect it. Or, I believe we're in trouble. Let's go to Acts 8, verse 27.

The eunuch understood that God does His work through human hands.

Acts 8. Remember, this is after what we read earlier, with Peter and John laying hands on the people in Samaria. And Philip went on his way, and there was this eunuch that he encountered.

And so let's just pick up the story in verse 27. Verse 26, An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, Rise and go toward the south along the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This desert three rows and went, and behold a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of Ethiopians, who had charge of all of her treasury. So this man was very high up in the government. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning. Sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah. The Spirit said to Philip, Go near and overtake this chariot. So Philip ran and heard him reading the prophet and said, Do you understand what you're reading? And he said, the eunuch said, How can I, unless someone guides me? He understood that he needed someone that would teach him and explain it to him. How can I, unless someone guides me? He asked Philip to come up and sit with him. The place in the scripture that he read was from Isaiah 53. He was led as a sheep to the slaughter, like a lamb silent before its shearer. So he opened up his mouth and his humiliation as his justice was taken away. Who will declare his generation for his life has taken from the earth as a prophecy about the first coming of Jesus Christ. So verse 34, the eunuch answered Philip and said, I ask you of whom does the prophet say this? Of himself or some other man? Philip opened his mouth and beginning at this scripture preached Jesus Christ, explained all about Jesus Christ to him. And verse 36 must have explained some things about baptism and the church and what was going on after the death of Jesus Christ. They came to some water, verse 36, and the eunuch said, See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized? And Philip said, If you believe with all your heart, you may. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He commanded the chariot to stand still. Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and he baptized him. You know, it's interesting. This man had never understood about Jesus Christ before Philip explained it to him. And he was baptized that very same day that he came to understand about Jesus Christ. But God was working there and opening his mind. But the eunuch said, How can I unless somebody explains it to me and helps me to understand it? He understood that the principle of God working through human hands.

Let's also go to Romans chapter 10 and verse 14. Romans chapter 10 and verse 14. Yes, God does work through human hands. It's an important thing for us to understand.

Romans 10 and verse 14. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? How can they hear without a preacher, a man of God that will explain and teach the word of God? How shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, how beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things.

So it is God that chooses and sends teachers and preachers. He uses their feet to get them where they need to be. And he uses their hands to perform the work that he wants them to do. God used the hands of Abraham to do the work he wanted done at that time. He used the hands of the patriarchs. He used the hands of David and the prophets. He used the hands of the 12 apostles and of Paul. All were just men, but they weren't just men either. They were men of God, whose hands were used by God to do his work. More recently, in our time, God used powerful the hands of Herbert W. Armstrong, beginning back in the 1930s, all the way till his death in 1986.

Since that time, we know what has happened in about the next decade after Mr. Armstrong's death.

And since 1995, when there was a need for something to be done to happen, God has powerfully used and is using a council of elders and a president and his ministry to continue his work. But you know, not everybody might see that quite so clearly.

But it's important that we do. Very important. In the days ahead, God will use the hands of two men in a very powerful way, called the two witnesses in Revelation 11. But they won't be doing anything on their own. But they will be used to do a powerful witness and a powerful work. But God will use their hands to perform his work at that time. A final witness of this work. And so today, brethren, it is important for us to realize very deeply that God has not changed and he continues to do his work through human hands. God guides and directs the hands of his ministry. There is leadership in the church. He guides and leads through his human, his chosen ministry. It is he that places every member in the body as it pleases him. Let's read about that in 1 Corinthians 12.28. 1 Corinthians 12.28. God has appointed these in the church. First, that is this God. And of course, in verse 18 earlier, 1 Corinthians 12 and verse 18, now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as he pleased. In verse 28, God has appointed these in the church. First, apostles. Second, prophets. Third, teachers. After that, miracles. Then gifts of healings. Helps, administrations. Varieties of tongues. Let's also read over in Ephesians 4. In Ephesians 4 and verse 11, he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets. Ephesians 4 and verse 11, he gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers. So that is, you know, God's doing.

I did not go to Ambassador College. I didn't realize it until just recently. I've been thinking 50 years ago, 1958. That was back in ancient history, right? 50 years ago that I would have been graduating from high school in May of 1958. In fact, I've got an invitation that something is in the work for my graduating class of 1958. There were just under 100 of us. I wonder how many will be there. I've not been to a single region, but I do want to go to this one. It'll be in May. If I possibly can, I want to be there. It'd be interesting to see my old classmates. Many I've not seen since I graduated because I went directly to Ambassador College and a different course. But who was it? I don't think it was me. Did Mr. Armstrong choose himself? No. He felt very unqualified. He said he didn't know why God didn't choose somebody else. I feel that way about me.

It's God that does the works. And it's important for all of us to realize that. It's important for me. There are ones over me in the Lord. When we don't know the answers to questions, do I come up with them or do I go to those over me? I go to those over me. There are judgments to be made, decisions to be made. Sometimes there are doctrinal questions. Where do we go?

Scriptures tell us to go to our headquarters, go to the home office. That's what we are to do. So, you know, this laying on of hands takes on a very important dimension when you realize it gets to the way that God is accomplishing his work. So many scriptures admonish us then that we do have a loyalty and that we do have an attitude of obedience and respect, that we should be supportive and loyal to those who are over us in the Lord. You know, let me just say this. Is there anyone at the human level that doesn't have somebody over them? You could say, well, the Council of Elders, they're the top governing body in United. The 12 men that we have there, even, you know, the president responds to the overall direction of the 12 men. The president is not the top leader. He is just the top executive leader to implement then the direction that the council, the 12 men, set in place. So who's the 12 men then don't have anybody over them, right? Wrong. They have Jesus Christ over them. And I think each of them realizes that, and they keep reminding themselves that they serve under Jesus Christ, the head of the church. They're responsible to Jesus Christ. So nobody humanly has, you know, just does what he wants to do. Everybody has somebody over them. Let's go to Hebrews chapter 13 and verse 7.

But this thing of government and the right attitude and respect and obedience, knowing that the way that God works is important. I don't think we'll be in God's kingdom, you know, unless we understand government and unless we are obedient. If we just want to be a law unto ourselves and say, well, I'm just going to do what I want to do. You know, there is that independent spirit. I've seen some of it in the last 10 years, and I just imagine you have, but we don't want to have an independent spirit. Nobody's going to tell me what to do.

We don't want to be that way. Hebrews chapter 13 and verse 7 says, to remember those who rule over you, remember them who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. Realizing this is the way God is working. It's all to prepare us for God's kingdom. Verse 17 says, Obey those who rule over you and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. And then verse 24, a third verse referring to this, in this chapter, greet all those who rule over you and all the saints, those from Italy, greet you.

So we are to be supportive and submissive and obedient. Let's go to Matthew chapter 16.

You know, judgments, there are areas that might become a problem for you. What if the church makes a judgment that is not in line with what you believe?

What you're going to do? Or you'll be tested. But we should respect that God is guiding and directing. If anything is not in order, it will come out in due time, we can be sure.

Matthew chapter 16 and verse 18 says, I say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades, or the grave, will not prevail against it. First night will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Now, this gets into areas of judgment that the church makes. Now, what do you think would happen if the council of elders were to take this verse and say, well, I think that I will loose the Sabbath. We don't have to keep it anymore. No, you know, they don't, there's not that kind of authority. These decisions and decisions and judgments have to do with other matters than, you know, clear laws of God like the Sabbath and Holy Days. There are judgments. There have been judgments made on the administration of the Third Tithe. You can read about that. It's online. Our teaching on Third Tithe is different than it would have been at one time. There are judgments on divorce and remarriage and how we handle that. There are judgments being made all the time, both at the home office level and the council of elders level, as well as at the local level here. There are judgments and decisions being made. And those who make those judgments, I can assure you, strive to do it using every law and principle of God, considering what God's Word says very carefully so that every judgment is properly made and stands up and is the will of God. And, you know, with that, you know, everyone that is in that position to judge knows that that's the way that the judgment has to be done. And then guess what? God's Spirit guides in those judgments that are made, those decisions, God's Spirit guides and directs. Those whose hands are used of God do realize the need for God to guide those hands and to depend upon God for His guidance and direction. Let's go to Acts 15. Here's a judgment that was an example of a judgment that was made back at that time in the early church.

In Acts 15, it won't even take time to go into extensively except to say that when we are aware of the circumcision issue that came up in verses 1 and 2, and you'll read about that dispute whether or not circumcision was required for salvation. Some people thought you can't be saved unless you're circumcised. I mean, that's fleshly physical circumcision. You can't be saved. They believed that was the judgment they made.

You cannot be saved unless you are circumcised. Well, I'm sure we're familiar with this chapter. I wish we had time to read the whole thing, but maybe we'll do that sometime.

But the disciples came together, the apostles, and they discussed it back and forth.

They concluded that circumcision was not required of the Gentiles to be saved. And that was the judgment. But who led? What led? God led them. God's Spirit led them. And we look back at it. That's a no-brainer, right? We look back at it now. We say, well, how could anybody have thought you had to be circumcised to be saved? But that was a big issue back at that time. And it took a conference meeting at Jerusalem to determine. The judgment made, led by God's Spirit, was that circumcision is not required for salvation. But the thing I'd like to also point out is, let's read verses 30 and 31. When they brought this decision to the people, they realized that where God was working. Verse 30. So, Acts 15 and verse 30, when they were sent off, they came to Antioch, and when they had gathered the multitude together, that means all the congregation there, in Antioch, they delivered the letter about the decision on circumcision. Verse 31, when they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement. The church was completely receptive because they knew where God was working, and they understood the decision, and they accepted the judgment that was given through God's church.

You know, I'm going to be here next week in Raleigh. I'll need to leave before too late, or right at the end of the service, because I'll be going over to China Grove for an afternoon service over there. They have an afternoon service in social next week, but I think I would like to have a part two on this. The laying on of hands.

This would be part one, and next week we would have part two. So, time is...what I'm saying is, I'm getting the red light. I'm getting the buzzer, in fact. It's time to stop. But, you know, I hope that you say that the laying on of hands is very important. I hope that we can see why it's in there with faith, repentance from dead works, baptisms, resurrection, and judgment. The laying on of hands is very important for you and me to understand, to appreciate, and to apply in our lives. And so we'll pick up with a part two next week.