Chapter 16

THE LAYING ON OF HANDS AND ACTIVATION OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS 

I.    Laying on of Hands in the New Testament

The laying on of hands (epithesis cheirōn) was used in Scripture for several purposes — not all identical:

1.               Commissioning or ordination to ministry

Acts 13:2–3 — Paul and Barnabas were set apart for ministry by the laying on of hands.

1 Timothy 4:14 — Timothy received a ministry gift “through prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.”

2. Blessing or healing Mark 10:16 — Jesus laid hands on children to bless Mark 16:18 — Believers lay hands on the sick for recovery.

3.               Receiving the Holy Spirit

Acts 8:17–18 — The apostles laid hands on the Samaritans, and they received the Holy Spirit. Acts 19:6 — Paul laid hands on believers in Ephesus, and the Holy Spirit came upon them.  

Key Point:

Laying on of hands is a biblical means of ministry, but the power or gift given is always from God, never from the individual performing the act. The human minister is a vessel or instrument through whom God imparts or activates what He Himself gives.

II.  “Activation” or Stirring Up Gifts

Paul uses this language explicitly with Timothy: “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”

• 2 Timothy 1:6

Here Paul acknowledges that through his laying on of hands, Timothy’s gift was activated or confirmed. However, note the distinction:

• Paul did not create the gift; it was “the gift of ”
• The laying on of hands served as the means or moment through which God chose to impart or awaken what He had already purposed for

In other words, laying on of hands is instrumental, not independent — the Spirit is the true source.  

III.  Relationship to Romans 1:11

Now let’s connect this to Paul’s statement: “I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established.”— Romans 1:11 In Romans, Paul is not describing a ceremonial laying on of hands or a transfer of power. Instead, he’s expressing his apostolic desire to strengthen the Roman believers through his ministry — preaching, teaching, and fellowship in the Spirit. However, Paul’s broader ministry elsewhere (e.g., 2 Timothy 1:6; Acts 19:6) shows that personal presence and prayer could indeed be occasions when God activated spiritual gifts already appointed by His will.  

IV.  Theologically Sound Perspective

From a biblical and theological standpoint:

1. Only God gives spiritual

“There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit… distributing to each one individually as He wills.” 1 Corinthians 12:4,11

2. Human ministers can serve as channels of activation or confirmation through preaching, prayer, or laying on of hands; but they are not the New Testament.

“For we are God’s fellow workers.” — 1 Corinthians 3:9

3. The laying on of hands symbolizes identification, blessing, and commissioning, not magical The gift is of the Spirit, not of man.
4. Activation means stirring into use what God has already deposited — through encouragement, faith, and obedience (2 Timothy 1:6).

 

Conclusion:

Paul’s longing to “impart a spiritual gift” (Romans 1:11) refers to his desire to strengthen and build up believers through his Spirit-led ministry — not to make them prophets or transfer supernatural abilities by his own power. When the laying on of hands or “activation” occurs (as in Timothy’s case), it is simply a means God uses to confirm, awaken, or empower a gift He Himself gives — always for the edification of the body of Christ and the glory of God, never the exaltation of man.