Weekly Devotional 6-20-16 Charlatan(s)
Several years ago my wife and I were asked by a pastor, ordained by whom we did not know, to participate in services he was conducting at a certain church. At the end of one of the services he gave an altar call and as persons came forward he, and others, knelt in prayer with them. Then hands were laid on them supposedly imparting to said persons some spiritual benefit or another. This was repeated time after time in the services that followed. It became evident over the next few months that whatever supposed benefits were being imparted they were not resulting in tangible ways.
Sad to say, this pastor proved to be a charlatan and was exposed as such. But, a greater damage had been done to those to whom he deceived into thinking that he was imparting to them some spiritual benefit. There are many today also who are being deceived by like persons. Tuning-in to many of the religious broadcasts on television on any given day, one will see such things going on there. As cited above, great damage is being done. When the promise of receiving some spiritual benefit by the laying on of hands is not realized, the recipient slips into doubt, dismay, or sometimes even despair.
Laying on of hands was Scriptural during the first century of the church, but it seems that it was meant for verification of one’s ministry, or a signet of support. Leaders of the church at Antioch, for instance, laid their hands on Paul and Barnabas assuring them that they were being sent with the blessing and assurance that this church would be participating as a supporting role in their mission (Acts 13:1-4). The apostleship of Paul was authenticated when at the laying on of his hands twelve disciples at Ephesus received the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:1-7 NKJV).
Concerning the laying on of hands by some of our day consider the following excerpt from the editors of GotQuestions.org.: “Undoubtedly, the laying on of hands in the early church was a means of connecting the message with the messenger, or the spiritual gift with the gifted giver. It provided a “sign” authenticating him through whom the physical manifestation of a spiritual gift was bestowed. We need to understand very carefully that there are no magical biblical formulas for the ministry of the church. Laying on of hands has no power in itself. Laying on of hands is only used by God when it is done in agreement with God’s Word.”
We Christians of today are called upon to study, accept, and believe the word of God which is the Bible. We are to look for miracles, but miracles that come by such endeavors; not by the bestowment of someone who claims to be especially gifted. It is the word of God that is used by the Holy Spirit in calling one out of spiritual darkness, convincing and convicting him of sin and his need of God’s redeeming grace. It is also the word of God that matures us in Christ.
stevelampman@comcast.net stevelampman.com
Transforming Power; The Work of God on Behalf of Man
Steve Lampman