What role does the "laying on of hands" play in Acts 6:6? Setting the Scene “ They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.” (Acts 6:6) What the Gesture Meant in This Moment • Recognition of God’s choice • Public endorsement before the congregation • Transfer of delegated authority for service • Impartation of spiritual enablement through prayer Old-Testament Roots • Moses and Joshua — “Lay your hands on him… You are to confer on him some of your authority” (Numbers 27:18-20). • Result: “Joshua was filled with the spirit of wisdom, because Moses had laid his hands on him” (Deuteronomy 34:9). The apostles follow the same God-given pattern. New-Testament Continuity • Commissioning workers — “After they had fasted and prayed, they laid hands on them and sent them off” (Acts 13:3). • Imparting gifts — “Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the elders” (1 Timothy 4:14). • Passing the torch — “Fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands” (2 Timothy 1:6). • Foundational teaching — “The laying on of hands” is listed among the elementary doctrines (Hebrews 6:2). Four Key Roles in Acts 6:6 1. Identification — The apostles visibly link themselves with the seven, declaring, “These men serve under our oversight.” 2. Authorization — Authority to oversee the daily distribution is conferred; the church will honor their directives. 3. Intercession — Prayer accompanies the gesture, seeking the Spirit’s power for wisdom, fairness, and unity. 4. Impartation — God answers that prayer, granting the grace needed for their new ministry (compare Acts 6:8). Why It Matters for Today • Ministry should be publicly affirmed, not assumed. • Spiritual authority is delegated, not self-claimed. • Service and prayer belong together; practical tasks still demand supernatural help. • The church thrives when giftings are recognized and released in a biblical, orderly way. |
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