Laying on of hands - is it necessary for receiving the Holy Spirit?

[YosefHayim]

Some may say you can't gain the holy spirit unless you have the laying on of hands

Acts 8 –
“But when they [the Samaritans] believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done. Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.” (vs. 12-17)

Acts 9 –
“And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.” (vs. 17-18)

Acts 19 –
“And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Now the men were about twelve in all.” (vs. 1-7)

Hebrews 6 –
“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. And this we will do if God permits.” (vs. 1-3)

1 Timothy 4 –
“Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 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 eldership.” (vs. 13-14)

2 Timothy 1 –
“Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. … Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.” (vs. 6-7, 13-14)

What about the Holy Spirit coming upon the people at pentecost, and this scripture here?

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

 

[Kathi]

There is no Biblcal requirement for laying on of hands.Laying on of hands has no power in its own.It was used by God in the Bible.

 

[His_nee (Jeff)]

As you said, God used the laying on of hands in the Bible, and ever since then also, btw. Just since before 300a.d. the believers who know and knew the power of God and lived His Way have been driven into hiding in most countries on earth. They don't ask about the laying on of hands, or the healing, or the casting out demons. They simply do. (and many of them can't read or write english and don't have a Bible of their own).


don't ask for any references other than the martyrs website(s) like voiceofthemartyrs (which I don't endorse nor UN-endorse) .

the people of God, the people of the book, are too poor in most places of the world to have a computer,
and in many other places the believers are not allowed access to a computer (or to other 'facilities' that worldly pagans are 'entitled' to and 'enjoying').

 

[Andrew Mason]

Laying on of hands is a Biblical method for praying for the release of the Holy Spirit in greater measure as well as it is for praying for physical healing. However, it is not required for God to move in those ways. It's merely a contact point of faith to help people receive what God is doing.

 

[Knotical]

Though God used the laying on of hands for some people to receive the Holy Spirit, we must also remember that no one touched the disciples when they received Him.

 

[His_nee (Jeff)]

Yhwh gave the disciples other times for the laying on of hands.(*) It does no good to study though, until there is life. (i.e. a lot of scribes and pharisees and idol-sellers wanted the gifts, but no matter what could not benefit from them, because they remained outside of Truth, outside of Abba's assembly/body of Christ/ were not immersed in Yeshua. People from the outside looking in can try to use and copy and talk about the life of the spirit, without ever realizing or experiencing it.


(*)One in particular to note, is that Yeshua laid hands on the sick, to heal, but HE NEVER laid hands on a demon possessed person. He just commanded the demon to go. People who don't remember this have gotten themselves in deep doo doo.(to put it most politely).

 

[Sparkey]

So often we look for 'formulas' for the expression of our faith. We are told to seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 basically lays out the way things work - we repent, are baptized in water and shall be baptized in the Holy Ghost. Yes, we see examples of the Laying of Hands prior to the Holy Spirit being poured out, but it is not a necessity. Laying of hands is one of the things that Believers do.

Repent: Have a change of mind and do an about face. We turn from sin and toward God.
Baptism: Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist as an example for us to follow. Any believer can baptize you.
Ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit and seek Him

Jesus said, "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened... how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" (Luke 11:9,10 & 13

When you receive the Holy Spirit, you receive the love of God and the power of God (to help your life and to help others)
see: Luke 24:39; Acts 1:8; Romans 5:5

"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. "Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.…

 

[Tony Hyman]

I think 1 Corinthians 12 regarding the Gifts of the Spirit to the Glory of God applies here. vv9-11 "healing" "prophecy" "tongues"
ect.as the Spirit determins v 11.There was no spesial laying of hands when the Spirit entered the whole cogregation in Acts 2 :4
All of them were flled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them for example (one of the gifts)."

The Spirit enters "all who believe" John 1:12-13 Yet to all who recieved him , to those who believed in his name he gave the right to become the children of God nor of human decision or a husbands will , but born of God. NIV No person has the say or power to control who recieves the Spirit or not.We can only set things up.