Christ gives the church the authority to act on his behalf. The laying on of hands is a symbol of this authority, used from earliest times by the people of God to ask him to give his blessing, to set a person apart for himself in a special way, or to bestow the power of his Spirit.

Jesus and his apostles used this sign – sometimes together with anointing – to forgive sins, heal the sick, raise the dead, drive out demons, give blessings, commission messengers of the gospel, and pray for the Spirit to fill the believers. As members of Christ’s body, we are charged to do the same. Among us, this church action usually takes place in a worship meeting when a servant of the Word places his hands on the head of the person concerned and says a prayer of intercession.

The laying on of hands is also used to dedicate a newborn child. We do this after the example of Jesus, who laid his hands on little children and prayed for them. When parents present their baby to the gathered community, they acknowledge that the child belongs to God. In a special prayer, the child receives a blessing and the parents are commissioned to raise the little one in God’s stead.

* This online version of Foundations is for reference only. For the authoritative version, see the print edition.