🔮 Laying on of Hands: Touching the Divine Power 💪⛪
Expanded Definition & Meaning
“Laying on of hands” refers to the ancient and sacred practice of applying hands physically on a person to convey power, blessings, healing, or to dedicate them to a holy task. Imagine a divine high-five, only with more solemnity and significantly less slapping.
Synonyms
- Divine Touch
- Holy Handshake (not to be confused with a secret handshake)
- Sacred Patting
Antonyms
- Waving from a distance
- Sending an email blessing
- Holy Air-Five
Key Takeaways
- Symbolizes transfer of divine authority or power.
- Used for blessings, healing, and ordination.
- A practice with roots deep in biblical history.
Importance This practice remains pivotal in religious settings to indicate the calling of a sacred duty, such as ordination, or to seek divine intervention for healing and blessings. Essentially, it’s like downloading an app for divine purposes: what’s worth noting is that it’s been free since pretty much forever!
Types and Examples
Biblical Times
- Old Testament: Sometimes referred to physical harm. When the angels told Abraham to lay not his hand upon the boy (Isaac), that’s a “don’t touch” of the divine kind.
- New Testament: Remember when Ananias laid hands on Saul to restore his sight? Acts 9:12 is basically the Bible’s equivalent of “turn it off and back on again” in healing.
Modern Church
- Ordination of Elders: When elders are ordained, they don’t just get a certificate; they get a divine power download via hands placed on their heads.
- Healing Services: Ministers or pastors laying hands on the sick asking for divine intervention.
Funny Humor-Filled Quotes
- “Laying on of hands. Because the divine hotline doesn’t have hold music!” 📞🙌 – Pastor Punny
- “Wondering about ‘Laying on of Hands?’ Think of it as God’s Bluetooth—hands-free is great for calls, but not for divine interventions!” – Reverend Jest
Suggested Literature
- “The Hands of God: Biblical Touch and Healing” by Faith Healswell.
- “Power Surge: Divine Authority Through Physical Contact” by Holly Anoint.
Witty Proverbs and Quotations
- “Blessed are those who lay hands, for they speak the language of divine download.”
Related Terms and Definitions
- Ordination: The ceremony in which individuals are consecrated as clergy.
- Healing Prayer: A special prayer intended to bring health and recovery.
- Anointing: Smearing or rubbing with oil as a sign of the Lord’s blessing or calling.
Comparison to Related Terms
Laying on of Hands vs. Anointing with Oil
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Pros (Laying on of Hands):
- Direct and personal.
- Instantly symbolizes the transfer of power.
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Cons:
- Might require hand sanitizer in flu season.
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Pros (Anointing with Oil):
- Can be stored in a small vial—making it portable.
- Also biblically rooted and symbolic.
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Cons:
- Oil spills could ruin your favorite pastoral robes.
Quizzes
Ah, dear reader, as you lay one year’s lessons onto the next, remember: the power isn’t always just in the hands—sometimes it’s in the humor. Until we church-laugh again! ✋🤣⛪
Yours Full of Fun and Wisdom,
Handy Mandy
October 11, 2023
