Good Shepherd Church Seminary; Doctor of Healing Ministry, Lesson One

Doctor of Healing Ministry 

Lesson 1 - Laying on of Hands

Welcome to Lesson one of the Doctor of Healing Ministry Programme, a discourse that talks about the dynamics of Healing Ministry.

Laying on of Hands

The laying on of hands is a ritual act wherein hands are placed on a person or animal in order to establish some spiritual communion.

One of the oldest therapies known to humanity, healing - or the laying on of hands - is seen in its simplest form in the love a mother has for her child.

Mothers soothe by touch, loving thoughts and words.

In India, many mothers routinely massage their infants with loving touch, deepening the maternal-infant

bond . a

Healers seek to tap into and use this unseen energy source in order to benefit those in need and seeking help and healing.

Jesus Christ used the laying on of hands to heal in His messianic ministry.

The following are two of the many examples of His ministry b ; -

(1) Matthew 20;34 - "And Jesus, being moved with pity, put His Fingers on their eyes; and straight away they were able to see, and they followed Him."

(2) Matthew 8;3 - "Jesus reached out and touched the man. 'I am willing,' He said. 'Be clean!' Immediately He was cleansed of his leprosy."

History of Healing

We are all healers, in that we possess the ability to exert positive healing influence on ourselves, others and the world by using the power of touch and thought.

Healing philosophy is an integral part of many ancient religions.

The practice of laying on of hands occurred during the Neolithic Era (New Stone Age), c 10,200 BC and ending between 4,500 and 2000 BC. Evidence of this was discovered in Neolithic cave paintings in the Pyrenees, France.c

Ancient Babylonian healers used laying on of hands as a healing technique. d

In Egypt, hands-on healing was part of the spiritual practices of the temple priests.

Sanatoria in some Egyptian temples provided a place where the sick could rest and await healing.

The Egyptian priest-physicians were skilled in the knowledge and application of  spiritual healing, massage, and early medicine.

Imhotep (c 2600 BC), the physician to King Djozer of the Third Dynasty, was so respected that after his death he was revered as a god of healing.

Doctors in ancient Egypt believed that spirits blocked the channels of the body, thus affecting the way the body functioned and playing a vital role in causing disease.

The laying on of hands was practised from the earliest times by the Temple Priest. This form of healing was

extensively used in the Temples of Osiris, Isis and Serapis.

The text for Aha-nakt confirms the practice of  the laying on of hands;

 "The scribe of the hall of judgement, Aha-nakt. I am a wab priest of Sekhmet, capable and skilled of his brotherhood, who places a hand on a man when he knows it . . . "e

Early explorers of China reported the occurrence of hands on healing.

The Indians and the Jews of ancient times were well acquainted with this form of healing.

The early Greeks used the laying on of hands in order to facilitate healing, attested to by the great Hippocrates in the following words,

"It is believed by experienced doctors that the heat which oozes out of the hand, on being applied to the sick, is highly salutary.

It has often appeared, while I have been soothing my patients, as if there was a singular property in my hands to pull and draw away from the affected parts aches and diverse impurities, by laying my hands upon the place, and extending my fingers towards it.

Thus it is known to some of the learned that health may be implanted in the sick by certain gestures, and by contact. . ."

Aesculapius treated diseases by hand massage.

The ancient Druids treated ailments in the same way.

Laying on of hands is the preferred method of many healers.

Jesus often laid hands on people before healing them (Mark 6;5, Luke 4;40, 13;13).

Jesus prophesied about His followers that "they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well," (Mark 16;18)

Paul laid hands on a sick person who was forthwith healed (Acts 28;8).

Healing systems are important in tribal cultures, whose shamans oversee return to health.

The laying on of hands has been called the 'King's touch' in medieval France and England.

St Patrick reportedly healed blindness by laying his hands on the afflicted person's eyes.

King Olaf of Norway had the gift of healing by laying on of hands.

St Bernard is reported in Cologne as having cured twelve lame people, three persons unable to speak, and ten of deafness - all in a single day, and by means of the laying on of hands.

Valentine Greatrakes (1629 - 1683) received the gift of healing by laying on of hands, and healed many.

George Rust, Bishop of Dromore in Ireland and Joseph Glanville, Chaplain to King Charles II, attested to the healings.

In 17th century London, a gardener named Levret performed many healings by the laying on of hands.

The Healing Tradition

The Healing Tradition was an important part of the early Christian Church.

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick was instituted over the centuries to enshrine Jesus' action of the Laying on of Hands of the Sick.

This Sacrament was alluded to by Mark, and was recommended to Christians by James the apostle and brother of the Lord (Mark 6:13;  Jas 5:14-15).

It is believed that the Anointing of the Sick conveys grace and gifts of strengthening from the Holy Spirit of God.

Matthew believed that the Sacrament was linked to the great Prophecy of Isaiah in the Holy Torah regarding the Messiah, "for this was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, 'He took our infirmities and bore our diseases' " (Matt 8:17).

Mark referred to the Sacrament when he told of how Jesus sent out the twelve disciples to preach, and they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them (Mark 6:13).

James emphasized the institution of the Sacrament of the Sick when he gave the mandate for the sick to call for the elders of the church to be prayed over and anointed with oil in the Name of Jesus (Jas 5:14-15).

In c350, Bishop Serapion prayed for healing powers of Jesus Christ to be infused into the anointing oil, so the afflicted could return to bodily and spiritual health. f

Healing ministries abound today.

Anointing of the Sick, Laying on of Hands, bioenergy healing, astral healing, reiki, massage, intuitive healing, pranic healing among others are practised continually in all corners of the globe.

Does God heal people?

The way that God heals is manifold.

Firstly, God instituted healing powers in nature, and a continual return to healing, homeostasis and balance.

The state of harmony, with all in balance, is continually sought towards by all elements of the universe, earth and the human body.

An area laid waste by fire, eventually heals; new trees grow, plants flourish, and vegetation eventually over time returns to normal.

A person with illness yearns to be returned to health, to harmony.

The body has inbuilt healing powers, such as the immune system.

The body possesses innate abilities to heal; torn tissue to mend, wounds to granulate, bones to knit.

Secondly, God inspires healers to come forth in all generations and from all areas of the globe to selflessly save lives and promote healing.

Third, God created the planet world; the world from whence we draw healing herbs, tinctures, oils and beneficial medications which have the power to heal many illnesses.

Fourth, God sent Prophets, ancient Healers, and His own Son Jesus Christ to heal the sick, give comfort to the weak, give hope to the despairing, and in some cases, raise the dead.

People hunger and thirst to know God in a direct, experiential way.

And the sick today still need healing, just as much as they did in Elijah's day, and when Jesus walked upon this earth.

Luke 7:22 resounds with Jesus' command; "Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard; the blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor."

Jesus mandated His disciples to continue the healing ministry.

Peter and John healed the man who had been crippled (Acts 3;11-26).

The power of healing was done in the Name of Jesus.

Divine healing happens, and is common.

The power of prayer and the laying on of hands has a role in the healing ministry.

Jesus Christ has inspired those who follow in His Way by prophesying that His followers would do even greater works than He did (John 14:12).

Healing - Prophetic Action

Prophets and prophetesses raised their charismatic voices throughout the history of ancient Israel.

By doing so, they confronted the people with God's Healing - as carried out by healers in the Torah and by Jesus Christ and His followers -as a sign.

Healing is a sign of the eschatological reality that the Kingdom of God is no longer coming; it is in the here and now; it is in our midst, among us.

Healing is not an end in itself; it is a sign pointing towards the Universal Healer, God.

Healing is a proof that God, indeed, exists.

How do we know this?

God made this clear, by inspiring His Prophets to witness that healing would be a distinguishing sign of the new Kingdom He would usher in.

Holistic health was to be a sign of the New Jerusalem.

Jesus announced the coming of the Kingdom among us when He expounded Scripture in the synagogue of Nazareth on the sabbath day.

Jesus was given the sacred Torah scroll.

He unrolled it to the Gospel of the Poor in the Prophet Isaiah.

"The Spirit of the God is upon me, because He has anointed me.

He has sent me to preach good news to the poor,

To proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind;

To set the oppressed free,

To proclaim the year of the Lord's favour." (Luke 4:18-19).

Jesus then uttered the words which definitively ushered in the messianic age of hope, forgiveness and healing;

"Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." (Luke 4:21).

What was Jesus saying?

Jesus was saying that He, in His own Person, was completing the promise of the Isaian prophecy.

This was controversial as He was a man relatively young in years, unknown, and without political, familial, societal or temple influence.

Jesus was saying that He, in the synagogue of His ancestral town in Nazareth, was the embodiment of the beginning of the long awaited Liberation.

Jesus was declaring that He was the fulfilment of the promise of the Isaian prophecy.

The great sign of the Liberation to come was healing for all.

Jesus was making official claim that all have equal claim through Him to be a full and permanent citizen of eternal Heaven.

Jesus was explaining that all members of humanity in all ages, from all corners of the earth, have - without exception - claim to His healing and liberating powers.

And thus the immense forward movement of the Healing Ministry intensified.

The Early Christians

The healing ministry of the early Christians greatly influenced the spread of the gospel, and occurred at key points in the mission.

Among them were;

1 - The healing of the lame man (Acts 3). This healing gave emphasis to the Pentecostal events (Acts 2).

2 - Stephen's signs and wonders. (Acts 6:8)These, together with his proclamation of Jesus as Messiah and Stephens' martyrdom, preceded the Dispersa. g

3 - The healing of Saul's sight by Ananias (Acts 9:10-19).

4 - The exorcism of the Philippian slave girl (Acts 16:16-18) led to opportunities for evangelism in what became the first Christian Church in Europe.

The early Christians were enthusiastic in their healing ministry, and used the practical lesson of a physically notable healing to underline the moral lesson.

Physical healings were a visible sign of the authenticity of Jesus Christ as Messiah.

Jesus' Power and Presence was clearly manifested among His early followers.

Beginning at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-41), He galvanized His disciples into missionary action.

The Book of Acts was written thereafter, and shows clearly that the power of the Risen Christ can not only cause healing, but change the face of society.

Healing Work of the Early Christian Community

The healing work of the early Christian community took place in an evangelical context.

Jesus showed His love for others by ministering to people, and healing their sicknesses (Mk 1:33-34).

Just so did the disciples have an unwavering desire to continue the healing ministry of Jesus.

Christ's attitude towards sickness was unequivocal; every time He met with evil - whether spiritual, psychological or physical - He treated it as an enemy.

When a sick person came to Him in faith, He healed that person.

Sickness of the body was part of that kingdom of satan He had come to destroy.

Jesus taught His disciples to take the same uncompromising stand towards sickness.

He commissioned the twelve to preach (Luke 9;1-10) and sent out the seventy-two (Luke 10;1-23).

Jesus also gave the mandate to heal the sick (Lk 9:2) and they drove out evil spirits (exorcism) (Lk 10:17).

The members of the early Church were obedient to Jesus' commission, and in His Name, teaching and healing began to flourish.

Indeed, such a ministry grew up that a tradition of healing and spirituality flourished.

Monks, nuns and dedicated Christians studied and ministered in many centers of healing.

Monasteries became centers of healing.

Nonmedical therapies such as prayer, blessing, presence, laying on of hands, as well as medical healing were the norm.

Fragments of a Coptic medical handbook were recovered from the coenobium of Apa Jeremias in Saqqara, attesting to the use of medical healing. h

Today, many Christians offer healing ministry in Hospitals, Nursing Homes and Hospices in the Christian tradition stemming from Jesus Christ.

Healing and Preaching

The juxtaposition of healing and preaching continued in Acts as the author proceeded to drive the importance of the message home.

The healing of Saul's blindness has a history.

The ministrant Ananias had been extremely unwilling to perform the healing task, when asked to do so by the Resurrected Jesus.

He had reason to demur, as Saul had been imprisoning and executing Christians; he was a man dangerous to those following Christ.

Ananias' devotion to Jesus and his depth of faith overcame his reasonable objection, and he set out for Straight Street whereupon he laid hands on Saul and healed him.

Saul has been praised for centuries for his dedicated work under the new name he took in his role as Apostle of Christ; namely Paul.

I concurrently always sing the praises of Ananias.

Without Mary we would not have had Jesus and without Ananias we would not have had Paul.

Ananias' healing ministry to Saul demonstrated the clearly emerging Service of Healing in the New Church;

"Then Ananias went to the house and entered it.

Placing his hands on Saul, he said, 'Brother Saul, the Lord - Jesus, Who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here - has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.'

Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again.

He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength'" (Acts 9: 17-19)

Thereafter Saul stayed with the disciples for several days in Damascus, during which time he must have learned more about the life of Jesus.

Thereafter Saul began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.

Without the physical - and spiritual and emotional - healing of Saul by the ministry of Ananias, one of the great missionaries of the Early Christian Church would never have been enabled to ministry.

Questions for Reflection

1.How do you view healing, and what part does healing play in your life?

2. What difference to the world do you think the ministry of healing from earliest times has made?

3. Have you ever had an experience of personal healing?

4. Why do you think Jesus chose to heal?

a Leboyer, Frederick; Loving Hands, the Traditional Art of Baby Massage, Newmarket Press, New York, 1976

b The New Testament, Gospel of St Matthew

c Sherwood, Keith; The Art of Spiritual Healing, Llewellyn Publications, USA, 1985, p 142

d Geller, MJ; Akkadian Healing Therapies in the Babylonian Talmud, Max-Planck Institut fur Wissenschaftsgeschichte, 204, p4

e Nunn, John F; Ancient Egyptian Medicine, University of Oklahoma Press, 1996, p135

f The Sacramentary of Serapion 29:1

g The great dispersion of the early Church beyond Jerusalem and into the territory of the Gentiles

h Crislip, Andrew Todd; From Monastery to Hospital Christian Monasticism & the Transformation of Health Care in Late Antiquity, University of Michigan Press, USA, 2005, pp25 and 32

Rev Catherine Nicolette Whittle DD

 

Use freely for any worthy purpose