Laying on of hands

==Christian traditions==
[[File:Laying on of hands Finnish Lutheran ordination in Oulu.JPG|thumb|right|Laying on of hands during a Finnish Lutheran ordination in Oulu, Finland]]
[[File:Priesterweihe in Schwyz.jpg|thumb|right|Laying on of hands during a [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] priestly ordination in Germany]]
{{main|Christian laying on of hands}}
In the [[New Testament]] the laying on of hands was associated with the receiving of the [[Holy Spirit]] (see [[Acts of the Apostles|Acts]] {{bibleverse-nb||Acts|8:14–19|KJV}}). Initially the [[Twelve Apostles|Apostles]] laid hands on new believers as well as believers (see {{bibleverse||Acts|6:5–6|KJV}}).

The [[New Testament]] also associates the laying on of hands with the conferral of authority or designation of a person to a position of responsibility. (See [[Acts of the Apostles|Acts]] {{bibleverse-nb||Acts|6:6|KJV}}, [[Acts of the Apostles|Acts]] {{bibleverse-nb||Acts|13:3|KJV}}; and {{bibleverse|1|Timothy|4:14|KJV}}. Also possibly [[Acts of the Apostles|Acts]] {{bibleverse-nb||Acts|14:23|KJV}}, where "ordained"—Greek: {{Lang|grc|χειροτονήσαντες}}—may be translated "extended the hand".) The use of the laying on of hands for the [[ordination]] of church officers has continued in many branches of Christianity.

=== Anglicanism ===
Laying on of hands is part of Anglican confirmation,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stmarks.byethost9.com/|title=for example: Book of Alternative Services – Anglican Church of Canada, p. 628}}</ref> [[anointing of the sick]],<ref>http://stmarks.byethost9.com/ for example: Book of Alternative Services – Anglican Church of Canada, p. 555</ref> and other parts of liturgy and pastoral offices.
The rubric in the confirmation service requires the bishop to lay only one hand, symbolising that he has less spiritual authority than an apostle who laid both hands.

=== The Catholic Church ===
In the [[Roman Catholic Church]], the laying on of hands has been and continues to be used in some of the rites for the Seven [[Sacraments of the Catholic Church]]. First, it is the essential gesture (or "matter") for the Sacrament of [[Holy Orders]] (diaconate, priesthood, and episcopacy). Second, it accompanies the anointing with Sacred [[Chrism]] in the Sacrament of [[Confirmation (sacrament)|Confirmation]]. Third, it is part of the ritual for the Sacrament of the [[Anointing of the Sick]], taken after the command in the [[Epistle of James]]: "Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord" (James 5:14 ESV).

=== Eastern Christianity ===
In [[Eastern Christianity]], laying on of hands is used for the ordination (called {{Lang|grc-latn|cheirotonia}}) of the [[Holy Orders|higher clergy]] (bishops, priests and deacons), and is also performed at the end of the sacrament of [[unction]].

=== Evangelicalism ===
[[File: Laying on of hands, Dr. Ebenezer Markwei.jpg|thumb|right|Laying on of hands for healing in Living Streams International Church, [[Accra]], [[Ghana]], 2018]]
In [[Evangelical Christianity]], the laying on of hands takes place for pastoral [[ordination]].<ref>Walter A. Elwell, ''Evangelical Dictionary of Theology'', Baker Academic, USA, 2001, p. 678</ref>

==== Baptists ====
In few [[Baptist]] churches, the laying on of hands rarely takes place after a [[believer's baptism]] although this is traditional to some sects and not practiced as a Biblical command nor example.<ref>John H. Y. Briggs, ''A Dictionary of European Baptist Life and Thought'', Wipf and Stock Publishers, USA, 2009, p. 296</ref> This is one of the two points which was added in the [[1689 Baptist Confession of Faith]] in 1742.<ref>William H. Brackney, ''Historical Dictionary of the Baptists'', Scarecrow Press, USA, 2009, p.525-526</ref><ref>Bill J. Leonard, ''Baptists in America'', Columbia University Press, USA, 2005, p. 76</ref> [[Southern Baptist Convention|Southern Baptist]] Christians employ the laying on of hands during the ordination of clergymen (such as deacons, assistant, and senior pastors) as well as situations of calling for [[Supernatural healing|divine healing]].

==== Pentecostalism ====
[[Pentecostal]] Christians practice the laying on of hands as part of prayer for divine healing ([[faith healing]]) and the anointing of the sick.<ref>Christopher A. Stephenson, ''Types of Pentecostal Theology: Method, System, Spirit'', OUP USA, USA, 2012, p. 64</ref> Former Australia Prime Minister [[Scott Morrison]] practises the laying on of hands.

=== Latter-day Saints ===
[[File:Latter Day Saint confirmation (Mayhew 1852).png|thumb|An 1850s depiction of a Latter Day Saint confirmation featuring the laying on of hands]]

Members of [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] believe the restoration of Christ's priesthood came about by the laying on of hands by the resurrected [[John the Baptist]] to [[Joseph Smith]] and [[Oliver Cowdery]] in 1829,<ref>{{cite book |title=The Doctrine and Covenants |date=1981 |publisher=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |location=Salt Lake City, Utah |isbn= 978-1-59297-503-7 |page=24, section 13 verses 1-2 |edition=1981 |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/13?lang=eng |access-date=18 July 2022}}</ref> and laying on of hands is seen as a necessary part of Confirmation.<ref>{{cite web |title=General Handbook of Instruction |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/general-handbook/18-priesthood-ordinances-and-blessings?lang=eng#title_number2 |website=churchofjesuschrist.org |publisher=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |access-date=18 July 2022 |ref=see section 18.8}}</ref>  Latter-day Saints lay on hands when ordaining members to<ref>{{cite web |title=General Handbook of Instructions |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/general-handbook/18-priesthood-ordinances-and-blessings?lang=eng#title_number34 |website=churchofjesuschrist.org |publisher=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |access-date=18 July 2022 |ref=section 18.10.5}}</ref> to the [[Aaronic priesthood (Latter Day Saints)|Aaronic]] and [[Melchizedek priesthood (Latter Day Saints)|Melchizedek]] priesthoods and when setting members apart to serve in other positions in the church.<ref>{{cite web |title=General Handbook of Instructions |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/general-handbook/18-priesthood-ordinances-and-blessings?lang=eng#title_number38 |website=churchofjesuschrist.org |publisher=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |access-date=18 July 2022 |ref=Section 18.11.2}}</ref>  When asked by a member who is ill, two elders of the Church anoint the sick member's head with consecrated olive oil and then lay hands upon their head and as guided by the Holy Spirit, bless them.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Performing Priesthood Ordinances and Blessings, section 18.13.2 |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/general-handbook/18-priesthood-ordinances-and-blessings?lang=eng#title_number44 |access-date=18 July 2022 |website=churchofjesuschrist.org}}</ref>