Laying on Hands (Part 2)

Receiving the Holy Spirit

Parents will do almost anything for their children. Because they love them, they are concerned about feeding them correctly, their education, safety, comfort, and their general well-being. Even when they become adults, parents still do whatever they can for their children.

So does our Father in heaven. He will do everything for His children, and to ensure the growth, understanding, and protection of His children, He gives us the Holy Spirit.

The laying on of hands is the main process by which people can and do receive the Holy Spirit. This is not the only way, but it is the most common way that people received the Holy Spirit in biblical times and is the most common method used today.

There are two things that go together regarding receiving the Holy Spirit. First, a person must be baptized in water and understand what that act means. (This was covered in the last few lessons). Secondly, the person must have hands laid on them to receive the Holy Spirit.

Understanding these two things is important. Baptism begins our journey as Christians as through it we die with Christ and are raised with Him as new creations. Through baptism, we receive freedom from sin, freedom from the law, and righteousness by faith. All of this happens at baptism.

But that is just a start. We receive the Holy Spirit so we can learn to walk with Christ daily. The work of the Holy Spirit is to transform us into the image of Jesus Christ, who is in the image of the Father, who is perfect. And the work of the Holy Spirit is to bring us to perfection in Jesus Christ.

That is why it is so important to have hands laid upon every Christian so that they can receive the Holy Spirit promised by God.

Consider these questions: 

• Do you realize that the Holy Spirit does not just come upon you when you believe or when you are baptized? 
• Have you had hands laid upon you to receive the Holy Spirit?

A prayer point: 

• Ask the Lord to give you an understanding of the Holy Spirit's role as there is much confusion over who He is and what He does. And if you already have the Holy Spirit, ask the Lord to help you understand how the Holy Spirit helps and works in your life.