Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. (Hebrews 6:1-2 KJV)
Several previous articles dealt with the first two foundational principles of the Christian life, repentance and faith. Now we proceed to the next two, baptisms and laying on of hands. In order to understand these we must turn to the law of Moses. With respect to the burnt offering we read, And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him. (Lev. 1:4) This putting of one’s hand on another (person or thing) is the laying on of hands.
Many teach that the act of laying hands onto an Old Covenant sacrifice symbolically passed one’s sins to the animal to be slaughtered for those sins, but it is more than that. It represents the actual identification of the sinner with the beast. This is why the apostles warned us not to lay hands hastily upon any man. Our act of laying hands upon someone connects us with that person in a spiritual bond. If we lay hands upon an unbeliever in an attempt to bless or impress him, we have become unequally yoked with an unbeliever. Paul warns us not to do that.
A sick woman laid her hands upon Jesus in a frantic attempt to be healed of a chronic disease. Immediately power left Jesus and the woman was healed. But, Jesus did not ignore this spiritual connection. He turned and demanded that the one who laid hands upon him confess the fact. The woman humbly admitted her act and Jesus commended her faith. But, what if a demoniac had touched Jesus with such impunity? What might have happened to that man? Lay hands hastily upon no man!
But, why is identification with a sacrificial animal important? Because it is an identification with Jesus Christ himself. Do you remember the Scripture that declares that Paul suffered persecution in order to complete was still lacking in Jesus’ sacrifice? That idea is utterly contrary to all doctrine we hear concerning Jesus. Most Christians declare that Jesus’ sacrifice accomplished everything needed for man. Why, then did Paul say this?
Paul identified himself with Christ. He knew and taught that Christ was being formed within him. He preached that the mystery of the Gospel is “Christ in you, the hope of glory!” He understood that his sacrifices of flesh meant age-lasting glory and blessings to others. He taught that he and other believers actually comprised the “body of Christ,” that they and we are really part of Him. Jesus himself taught that He and the Father were One and that we believers could also be one with them. The whole Bible, then, points toward this identification of man with God. Doesn’t the Book begin with “God made man in His own image” thus identifying man with God?
My image is my identity. God’s image is His identity. The identity of elohim is the image of God. I am Elohim. Who are you?
