POWER IN OUR HANDS

Understanding the Transfer of Anointing

"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."                                                Luke 4:40

       One of the most amazing truths mentioned in the Bible is the power associated with the ministry of laying on of hands.  In the book of Hebrews it is called a fundamental principle of the doctrine of Christ.  That means that it is a foundational truth to the teachings of Christ that we are to be wholly and actively employed in keeping.  Jesus made it an important part of his ministry, and so did the apostles.

       One of the main reasons for this needed ministry is it serves as a conduit for the power of God to be transferred from one person to another. We are carriers of God's power, and as we learn how to cooperate with the Holy Spirit, we can release that power into others. 

       The fact that Paul called it a doctrine should give us some indication as to why this is such an important ministry in the church.  In the gospel of John, Jesus said, "My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself" (John 7:16, 17).  While doctrine certainly involves teaching, there are aspects of the doctrine of Christ that also involves demonstration.  Paul points this out in writing to the church of Corinth: "And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God" (1 Cor. 2:4-5).  As much as we need the teaching of the Word, there are necessary times when we need to attend to the ministry of the laying on of hands so that God can demonstrate his power in establishing an individual believer's faith.

       "God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul" (Acts 19:11).  In Acts fourteen, it tells us that the Lord "granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands" (Acts 14:3).  The gift of the Holy Spirit, special gifts for ministry, healings, deliverances, and even the impartation of blessing were all part of the ministry of the laying on of hands (Acts 6:6; 8:17; 9:12, 17; 1 Tim. 4:14).

       One of my favorite examples of this ministry is when God instructed Moses to set Joshua over the children of Israel as his successor. Numbers chapter twenty-seven reads: "And thou shalt put some of thine honor upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient" (Num. 27:20). When the time came and Moses died, the scripture says: "And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him..." (Deut. 34:9).  It is hard to dispute the fact that through the ministry of laying on of hands there was a transfer of anointing that came on Joshua.  Though the Bible doesn't actually mention anything about hands being laid on Elisha, it is clear that through the association and influence of Elijah's ministry, a double portion of his anointing came on Elisha.  When you connect to the power associated with someone's ministry, oftentimes that same anointing will come on you.  And it is clear, that there is no greater means of transfer than through the laying on of hands.

       I like the fact that the Holy Spirit is oftentimes referred to as the "Hand of the Lord."  Over in Acts chapter eleven it says: "And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord" (Acts 11:21).  We also see this mentioned in the prayer the apostles prayed over in chapter four: "By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus" (Acts 4:30).  In other words, as they went out ministering under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, God filled their hands with his hand and his power was released through them. 

       This is such a vital part of the work of God in the church that we need to give it our undivided attention.  Jesus commissioned the church in Mark sixteen, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel."  He went on to say: "And these signs shall follow them that believe....they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover" (Mark 16:18).  Are we doing as much with this ministry as we should be?  Are we carefully living our lives in such a way that as a conduit of God's power we are maintaining our vessel so that we do not restrict the flow of heaven; so that there comes the ease, the grace, and the anointing of God being transmitted to others through the power in our hands?

       Heaven is looking for attendants who recognize this essential channel of influence and are willing to do whatever is necessary to protect and exercise this ministry, as well as demonstrate its power as part of the ministry of Christ to his church!

     Today, I look down at my hands and realize these are God's hands.  They are instruments of his power.  Whatever I touch I purpose in my heart that I will release the touch of heaven.  I am God's conduit to bring blessing through him to those I come in contact with.  I will see mighty things occur as I give myself more and more to this sacred work.