Rev. Roland J. Wells, Jr. - Pastor

Second Sunday of Easter - April 27, 2003

Lessons: II Kings 2:1-15; Acts 19:1-6; John 20:19-23

"Passing On The Spirit"

Introduction:

On June 10, 1979, in the mid-afternoon, I found myself on my knees in my home church. A couple hundred people had gathered for my ordination. Six pastors who meant a lot to me all came forward at that time, and they laid hands on me, praying for God to stir up gifts. That happened 24 years ago, but it remains very, very vivid in my mind. The laying on of hands.

I have now been teaching confirmation for 32 years, with very little time off for good behavior. I have performed the Rite of Confirmation for 24 years. The act of Confirmation comes with the laying on of hands.

Every wedding is celebrated with the laying on of hands in blessing. So is every baptism, which also now contains the anointing with oil.

Hundreds of times we have laid hands on each other here, praying over each other, and asking for the healing of God's Spirit by the laying on of hands.

I) The Laying on of Hands- Biblical Background

It's not a topic we talk much about. I couldn't find a really good source anywhere in my library on this topic and what it means. A couple theological dictionaries gave it a couple paragraphs, but not much more. Our texts today speak of the impartation of God's Spirit, although in John 20, Jesus does not lay on hands, but simply 'blows' on the disciples. But still the Spirit is imparted, passed on from Jesus.

Dozens of times in the Bible, from Genesis to the NT, we see instances of people 'laying on hands.' In Genesis we see the blessings of Isaac and Jacob to their children. In the law we read of many times when hands are laid on sacrifices, to transfer the sin and guilt to the animal. Hands are laid on the Passover lambs. In Jesus' day more than 200,000 lambs would have been killed, their blood running down the Temple mount, and filling the Kidron Brook, which Jesus crossed over on the way to the Garden of Gethsemane. I wonder what he thought, when he, the lamb of God, crossed a river of blood of lambs, knowing that his own blood would join theirs.

Levites, who served the religious life of the people were consecrated with the 'laying on of hands.' Moses laid his hands on Joshua, on whom the Spirit already dwelt, and laid his hands on him to consecrate him. Hands are laid on the blasphemer before stoning. (Lev. 23:14) Interestingly, Naaman the Syrian is disappointed when Elisha doesn't lay hands on him! A king is blessed by Elisha (2 King 13:16) In the NT, roughly 20 times hands are laid on people for healing or consecration. (See list below) Jesus lays his hands on children to bless them, hands are laid on sick people many times, and they are healed. The Disciples lay on hands and folks are healed, delivered and set apart for service. Sometimes it is done as part of Baptism, and/or the infilling of the Holy Spirit.

Some of the most interesting passages about the laying on of hands come late in the NT-

1 Tim. 4:14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

1 Tim. 5:22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. (Don't ordain folks until they're ready!) Keep yourself pure.

2 Tim. 1:6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

Hebrews 6:1-2

Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

We can see in these the earliest ideas of ordination.

II) What is the 'Laying on of Hands?'

So, what is going on? What is this thing of 'laying on of hands?' It's interesting that spiritual things happen by simple human touch. When I was in seminary, they taught us to hug everybody. Today in seminary, they teach you if you hug somebody wrong, it's a felony! People need touch. Back during WWII, the orphanages filled up with newly orphaned babies. The babies were being fed and cared for, but they kept dying! They were warm, full and safe- and kept dying. They finally discovered that the problem was they weren't being held. They brought in volunteers to hold the babies every day for a few hours- and the babies thrived. Before that, for lack of touch, they were giving up.

It's interesting, that from the beginning, blessings and even the presence of God's Spirit were passed along with the 'laying on of hands.' Even sin is passed on to sheep and goats by... the laying on of hands. Our God is a personal God. He's not a spiritual 'force.' He's not a theological principle. He's not a big computer in the sky- he's a personal God. He created people in a relationship with him and with each other. And for some reason, as a major conduit, God chooses to pass his Spirit from one person to another.

We read that really strange story of the passing of the 'mantle' from Elijah to Elisha. Elisha asks for one thing- to receive a double portion of Elijah's Spirit. The Spirit is passed on through the mantle, the coat of Elijah. In the Book of Acts, we have an even stranger story- (Acts 19:11-12) God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, [12] so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. But it's still a personal touch. Even Luke seems to think this is weird. It is.

In our other texts today, Paul speaks to folks near Ephesus about Jesus; teaching them more fully, they were baptized again, and then Paul laid hands on them. They were filled with God's Spirit. In our Gospel, Jesus blows on them, and they receive the Spirit. A few days later, the Spirit became visible, being poured out at Pentecost.

God has chosen to pass his Spirit through the people of his Church. This connectedness is part of what it means to be the 'Body of Christ.' We're connected. One Lord, one faith, one baptism. We are called to bear one another's burdens, laying on hands when anyone is sick. We lay hands on folks to bless them, like marriage and baptism. We lay hands on folks to experience the infilling of the Spirit at Confirmation and Ordination- all forms of prayer. We consecrate our leaders, missionaries, anyone we send out.

2 Tim. 1:6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. during one of the 'Alpha Course' films Nicky Gumble makes a good point. He calls us to notice how many times it says, over and over again, that the same people were 'filled with the Holy Spirit.' It didn't leak out- they just needed to be renewed again and again. So do we. We had hands laid on us at Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage, and for healing and in prayer. There's no limit to this. You can be prayed for with the laying of hands at any time. You can pray, with the laying on of hands for strength and renewing any time. That's what the Apostles did. That's what the Body of Christ is about. We bear each other's burdens. We reach out with touch, and share God's overflowing Spirit with each other. Even the little babies knew they needed that touch, or they gave up. Our faith needs a renewing touch from time to time as well.

We are in that joyful season, between Easter and Pentecost. A season we celebrate the presence of our Risen Lord. Now is the time to hear his promise and receive his renewing. It's for you. It's the blessing of your birthright in the Kingdom of God. Invitation; Amen.

Easter 2- 4/27

2 Kings 2:1-15

When the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. [2] Elijah said to Elisha, "Stay here; the LORD has sent me to Bethel."

But Elisha said, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you." So they went down to Bethel.

[3] The company of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and asked, "Do you know that the LORD is going to take your master from you today?"

"Yes, I know," Elisha replied, "but do not speak of it."

[4] Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here, Elisha; the LORD has sent me to Jericho."

And he replied, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you." So they went to Jericho.

[5] The company of the prophets at Jericho went up to Elisha and asked him, "Do you know that the LORD is going to take your master from you today?"

"Yes, I know," he replied, "but do not speak of it." [6] Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here; the LORD has sent me to the Jordan." And he replied, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you." So the two of them walked on.

[7] Fifty men of the company of the prophets went and stood at a distance, facing the place where Elijah and Elisha had stopped at the Jordan. [8] Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water with it. The water divided to the right and to the left, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground.

[9] When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?" "Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit," Elisha replied.

[10] "You have asked a difficult thing," Elijah said, "yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours--otherwise not."

[11] As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. [12] Elisha saw this and cried out, "My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!" And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them apart.

[13] He picked up the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. [14] Then he took the cloak that had fallen from him and struck the water with it. "Where now is the LORD, the God of Elijah?" he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over.

[15] The company of the prophets from Jericho, who were watching, said, "The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha." And they went to meet him and bowed to the ground before him.

Acts 19:1-6

While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples [2] and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."

[3] So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?" "John's baptism," they replied.

[4] Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." [5] On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. [6] When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

John 20:19-23

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" [20] After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

[21] Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." [22] And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. [23] If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."

Laying on of hands:

Matthew 19:13

Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.

Matthew 19:15

When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.

Mark 5:23

and pleaded earnestly with him, "My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live."

Mark 6:5

He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them.

Mark 8:23

He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?"

Mark 8:25

Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.

Mark 10:16

And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

Luke 4:40

When the sun was setting, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them.

Luke 13:13

Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.

Luke 24:50

When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them.

Acts 6:6

They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

Acts 8:17-19

Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

[18] When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money [19] and said, "Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."

Acts 9:12

In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight."

Acts 9:17

Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord--Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here--has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit."

Acts 13:3

So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

Acts 19:6

When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

Acts 28:8

His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him.

1 Tim. 4:14

Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

1 Tim. 5:22

Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

2 Tim. 1:6

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

Hebrews 6:2

instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

Matthew 19:13, 15

Mark 5:23; 6:5; 8:23; 8:25; 10:16

Luke 4:40; 13:13; 24:50

Acts 6:6; 8:17-19; 9:12; 9:17; 13:3; 19:6; 28:8

1 Tim. 4:14; 5:22

2 Tim. 1:6

Hebrews 6:2

HAND

Matthew 8:3

He stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, "I do choose. Be made clean!" Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

Matthew 8:15

he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she got up and began to serve him.

Matthew 9:18

While he was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader of the synagogue came in and knelt before him, saying, "My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live."

Matthew 9:25

But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up.

Mark 1:31

He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

Mark 1:41

Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, "I do choose. Be made clean!"

Mark 5:41

He took her by the hand and said to her, "Talitha cum," which means, "Little girl, get up!"

Mark 7:32

They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him.

Mark 9:27

But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he was able to stand.

Luke 5:13

Then Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, "I do choose. Be made clean." Immediately the leprosy left him.

Luke 8:54

But he took her by the hand and called out, "Child, get up!"

Acts 4:30

while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus."

Matthew 8:3Matthew 8:15Matthew 9:18Matthew 9:25Mark 1:31Mark 1:41Mark 5:41Mark 7:32Mark 9:27Luke 5:13Luke 8:54Acts 4:30