Laying on of Hands in Early Christianity
Early Christians linked laying on of hands with receiving the Holy Spirit, ordaining leaders, blessing, healing, and restoring repentant believers. Cyprian, Origen, the Apostolic Constitutions, and the Treatise on Re-Baptism all treat it as a real Church practice, not a rare symbol. Key Bible passages include Acts 8:17, Acts 6:6, Acts 13:3, 1 Timothy 4:14, and 1 Timothy 5:22.
93 early-church witnesses · 157 source quotations · compared with Scripture
What did early Christians believe about laying on of Hands?
Early Christian writers taught that laying on of hands was a normal Church act for giving the Holy Spirit, restoring repentant believers, and ordaining clergy. Cyprian, Origen, the Apostolic Constitutions, and the anonymous Treatise on Re-Baptism all connect it with receiving the Spirit after baptism or after coming back to the Church. The Bible passages most directly tied to this practice are Acts 8:17, Acts 6:6, Acts 13:3, 1 Timothy 4:14, and 1 Timothy 5:22.
The evidence is broad and fairly consistent, though some passages are about healing, blessing, or Old Testament background rather than the Church rite itself. Many more early Christian quotations, Bible passages, and source links are gathered below so you can study the evidence for yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Laying on of hands was used for receiving the Holy Spirit after baptism.
- It was also used in ordination and sending church workers.
- Some early writers tied it to restoring repentant believers to the Church.
- The strongest direct texts are Acts 8:17, Acts 6:6, Acts 13:3, 1 Timothy 4:14, and 1 Timothy 5:22.
Questions Answered by the Sources
Did early Christians believe laying on of hands gave the Holy Spirit after baptism?
Several early writers say the Holy Spirit was given by the bishop's or apostles' hands after baptism, and they appeal to Acts as the pattern. The Bible cards used here point to the same practice in Acts and the pastoral letters.
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Cyprian, Epistles Direct teaching
...o had already been baptized by John before the Holy Spirit had been sent by the Lord, and then laid hands on them so that they might receive the Holy Spirit. But what are we to make of this: we see that Paul, after John's baptism, baptized his disciples again, yet we hesitate to baptize those who come to the Church from heresy after their unholy and profane dipping. Unless, perhaps, Paul was inferior to the bishops of these times, so that these bishops can indeed give the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands alone to those heretics who come to the Church, while Paul was not able to give the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands to those who had been baptized by John unless he had first also baptized them with the baptism of the Church.
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Anonymous, Treatise on Re-Baptism Direct teaching
For when by imposition of the bishop's hands the Holy Spirit is given to every one that believes, as in the case of the Samaritans, after Philip's baptism, the apostles did to them by laying on of hands;
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Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness
viz., that prayer being made for them, and hands being imposed, the Holy Spirit should be invoked and poured out upon them, which now too is done among us, so that they who are baptized in the Church are brought to the prelates of the Church, and by our prayers and by the imposition of hands obtain the Holy Spirit, and are perfected with the Lord's seal.
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Origen, De Principiis (On First Principles) Supporting witness
In the Acts of the Apostles, the Holy Spirit was given by the imposition of the apostles' hands in baptism.
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Origen, De Principiis (On First Principles) Supporting witness
Lastly, for this reason was the grace and revelation of the Holy Spirit bestowed by the imposition of the apostles' hands after baptism.
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Anonymous, Treatise on Re-Baptism Supporting witness
that is, that by the imposition of hands alone of the bishop— because baptism in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ has gone before it — may the Holy Spirit also be given to another man who repents and believes.
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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness
and that imposition of hands shall be to him instead of baptism: for by the laying on of our hands the Holy Ghost was given to believers.
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Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness
Unless, perchance, Paul was inferior to the bishops of these times, so that these indeed can by imposition of hands alone give the Holy Spirit to those heretics who come (to the Church), while Paul was not fitted to give the Holy Spirit by imposition of hands to those who had been baptized by John, unless he had first baptized them also with the baptism of the Church.
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Anonymous, Treatise on Re-Baptism Supporting witness
...ose who seem to have departed this life without that benefit would necessarily be required from the hands of the bishops. Further, as you are not ignorant, the Holy Spirit is found to have been given by the Lord without baptism of water to men who believe, as it is written in Acts of the Apostles in this way: “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had also been poured out on the Gentiles. For they heard them speak in tongues, and they magnified God. Then Peter answered, ‘Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?’ And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.” Acts 10:44-48 Peter also later taught us very fully about these same Gentiles, saying: “And He made no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.” Acts 15:9 And so there will be no doubt that men may be baptized with the Holy Spirit without water, since you see that these were baptized before they were baptized with water. In this way, the d
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Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness
in the name of the same Christ, the imposition of hands might avail also for the reception of the Holy Spirit;
More related quotations from this section 11 shown
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1 Timothy 5:22 Direct teaching
Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.
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Hebrews 6:2 Direct teaching
and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
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1 Timothy 4:14 Direct teaching
Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
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Acts 8:19 Direct teaching
saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
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Acts 8:17 Direct teaching
Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
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Anonymous, Treatise on Re-Baptism Supporting witness
...hink, my brother? If a man is not baptized by a bishop in such a way as to receive the laying on of hands at once, and yet dies before receiving the Holy Spirit, would you judge that he has received salvation or not? For even the apostles themselves, and the disciples who also baptized others and had themselves been baptized by the Lord, did not receive the Holy Spirit at once. For the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet been glorified. And after His resurrection, a considerable time passed before that happened. In the same way, when the Samaritans were baptized by Philip, they did not receive the gift until the apostles, who were invited from Jerusalem to Samaria, came down to them, laid hands on them, and gave them the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands. During that interval, any one of them who had not received the Holy Spirit might have been cut off by death, and died deprived of the grace of the Holy Spirit. Nor can it be doubted that the same kind of thing is common in the present day and happens often: many people, after baptism, leave this life without the laying on of the bishop's hands, and yet are considered complete believers. Just so, the Eth
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Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book I Supporting witness
...by God's power. Regarding their ability to fill believers with the Holy Spirit through laying on of hands, which was preached by them in Christ Jesus, he suspected this was done through a greater knowledge of magic. He offered money to the apostles, thinking he might also receive the power to give the Holy Spirit to anyone he chose. Peter said to him, "May your money perish with you, because you thought the gift of God could be bought with money. You have no part or share in this matter, for your heart is not right before God; for I see that you are full of bitterness and a captive to sin." He did not place any more faith in God and eagerly tried to oppose the apostles so that he might appear to be someone marvelous himself. He dedicated himself even more to studying magic, hoping to better confuse and control large crowds. He acted this way during the reign of Claudius Caesar, who is said to have honored him with a statue because of his magical power. Many glorified this man as if he were a god, and he taught that he was the one who appeared to the Jews as the Son, descended in Samaria as the Father, and came to other nations as the Holy Spirit. In short, he portrayed himself a
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Origen, De Principiis (On First Principles) Supporting witness
...reates for Himself a new people and renews the face of the earth, when, by the grace of the Spirit, laying aside the old man with his deeds, they begin to walk in newness of life. Therefore this expression is fitly applied to the Holy Spirit, because He will dwell not in all men, nor in those who are flesh, but in those whose land has been renewed. Lastly, for this reason the grace and revelation of the Holy Spirit was bestowed by the laying on of the apostles' hands after baptism. Our Savior also, after the resurrection, when old things had already passed away and all things had become new, Himself being a new man and the first-born from the dead, and His apostles also being renewed by faith in His resurrection, says, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” This is no doubt what the Lord the Savior meant to convey in the Gospel when He said that new wine cannot be put into old bottles, but commanded that the bottles should be made new. That is, men should walk in newness of life, so that they might receive the new wine, that is, the newness of the grace of the Holy Spirit. In this way, then, the working of the power of God the Father and of the Son extends without distinction to every creat
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Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book I Supporting witness
and with respect to their filling with the Holy Ghost, through the imposition of hands, those that believed in God through Him who was preached by them, namely, Christ Jesus—suspecting that even this was done through a kind of greater knowledge of magic, and offering money to the apostles, thought he, too, might receive this power of bestowing the Holy Spirit on whomsoever he would,—was addressed in these words by Peter: “Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God can be purchased with money: thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter, for thy heart is not right in the sight of God;
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Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness
Why does not the same majesty of the same name avail in the imposition of hands, which, they contend, availed in the sanctification of baptism?
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Tertullian, On Baptism Supporting witness
In the next place the hand is laid on us, invoking and inviting the Holy Spirit through benediction.
Did early Christians ordain ministers by laying on of hands?
The supplied sources repeatedly describe bishops, presbyters, deacons, and priests as being ordained through prayer and laying on of hands. The Bible cards selected here also show ordination language in Acts and the pastoral epistles.
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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching
...know that those named by us bishops, and presbyters, and deacons, were made so by prayer and by the laying on of hands, and that the difference in their names shows the difference in their duties. For not everyone who wants to be ordained is ordained, as was the case in that spurious and counterfeit priesthood of the calves under Jeroboam, 1 Kings 13:33, but only he who is called by God. For if there were no rule or distinction of orders, it would be enough to perform all the offices under one name. But being taught by the Lord the order of things, we distributed the functions of the high-priesthood to the bishops, those of the priesthood to the presbyters, and the ministration under both of them to the deacons, so that the divine worship might be performed in purity. For it is not lawful for a deacon to offer the sacrifice, or to baptize, or to give either the greater or the lesser blessing. Nor may a presbyter perform ordination. For it is not agreeable to holiness for this order to be perverted. For God is not the God of confusion, so that those in lower rank should tyrannically take for themselves the functions that belong to their superiors, making a new scheme of laws to t
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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching
...ity to perform any of the duties that belong to the priesthood, such as the sacrifice, baptism, the laying on of hands, or the blessing, whether the lesser or the greater. For no one takes this honor for himself, but only he who is called by God, as Hebrews 5:4 says. Such sacred duties are given through the laying on of the bishop's hands. But if a person has not been entrusted with such an office and seizes it for himself, he will undergo the punishment of Uzziah.
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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching
Concerning the ordination of deacons, I, Philip, make this constitution: O bishop, you shall ordain a deacon by laying your hands on him in the presence of the whole presbytery and the deacons, and you shall pray and say:
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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness
Amen. And let the deacon say: Bow down for the laying on of hands.
More related quotations from this section 1 shown
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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness
Hebrews 5:4 For such sacred offices are conferred by the laying on of the hands of the bishop.
Did early Christians use laying on of hands to restore repentant believers?
One strong source says a repentant person should be restored to the flock by the laying on of hands, and another says this imposition of hands was used for reception and renewal. These cards show a pastoral, reconciling use of the rite.
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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching
...e instructed and baptized him, so also let all join in prayers for this man, and restore him by the laying on of hands to his former place among the flock, as one purified by repentance. And that laying on of hands shall be to him instead of baptism. For by the laying on of our hands the Holy Ghost was given to believers. And if one of those brothers who had stood immovable accuses you because you are reconciled to him, say to him: "You are always with me, and all that I have is yours. It was fitting to make merry and be glad. For this your brother was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found." For God not only receives the penitent, but also restores them to their former dignity. Holy David is a sufficient witness, who, after his sin in the matter of Uriah, prayed to God and said: "Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your free Spirit." And again: "Turn Your face from my sins, and blot out all my offenses. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit in my inward parts. Cast me not away from Your presence, and take not Your Holy Spirit from me." Therefore, as a compassionate physician, heal all who have sinned, making use of savi
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Anonymous, Treatise on Re-Baptism Supporting witness
...ed outside the Church, but still in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, it would be enough that only hands should be laid on them by the bishop for their reception of the Holy Spirit, and that this laying on of hands would provide them with the renewed and perfected seal of faith. Or whether a repetition of baptism would in fact be necessary for them, as if they should receive nothing if they had not obtained baptism afresh, just as if they had never been baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Therefore, on this new question, some things were spoken of as having been written and answered, in which both sides tried with the greatest eagerness to tear down what had been written by their opponents. In this kind of debate, as it seems to me, no controversy or discussion could have arisen at all if each one of us had been content with the venerable authority of all the churches, and with fitting humility had wished to introduce nothing new, since there was no room for contradiction. For everything that is doubtful and ambiguous, and is established in differing opinions among prudent and faithful men, if it is judged to be against the ancient, memorable, and most solemn observance of al
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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness
And as you receive an heathen after you have instructed and baptized him, so do you let all join in prayers for this man, and restore him by imposition of hands to his ancient place among the flock, as one purified by repentance;
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Anonymous, Treatise on Re-Baptism Supporting witness
And it cannot be doubted also, that in the present day this sort of thing is usual, and happens frequently, that many after baptism depart from this life without imposition of the bishop's hands, and yet are esteemed perfected believers.
Did early Christians also connect laying on of hands with healing or blessing?
A few early sources mention healing the sick or blessing with hands laid on, but these are weaker than the baptism, ordination, and restoration texts. They still show that laying on of hands was not limited to one setting.
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Clement of Alexandria, Who Is the Rich Man That Shall Be Saved? Direct teaching
and disease at its height is subdued, put to flight by the laying on of hands;
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Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book II Supporting witness
Others still, heal the sick by laying their hands upon them, and they are made whole.
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Tatian, The Diatessaron Typology
And he laid his hand 52 on them one by one and healed them: Matthew 8:17 that that might be fulfilled which was said 53 in the prophet Isaiah, who said, He takes our pains and bears our diseases.
More related quotations from this section 7 shown
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Tertullian, On the Resurrection of the Flesh Supporting witness
the flesh is shadowed with the imposition of hands, that the soul also maybe illuminated by the Spirit;
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Numbers 27:23 Typology
And he laid his hands on him and inaugurated him, just as the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses.
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2 Kings 13:16 Typology
And he said to the king, Put thy hand on the bow. And Joash put his hand upon it: and Elisha put his hands upon the king’s hands.
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Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho Background
The prophet Moses did not act without purpose when Hur and Aaron held up his hands until evening. Likewise, the Lord remained on the tree almost until evening and was buried at nightfall; then on the third day, He rose again. David spoke about this event: ‘With my voice, I cried to the Lord, and He heard me from His holy hill. I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me.’ Isaiah also described how He would die: ‘I have spread out My hands to a disobedient and opposing people, who walk in a way that is not good.’ Isaiah also foretold His resurrection: ‘His burial has been removed, and I will give the rich for His death.’ In the twenty-first Psalm, David refers to the suffering and the cross in a mysterious parable: ‘They pierced my hands and my feet; they counted all my bones. They stared and looked at me; they divided my garments among themselves and cast lots for my clothing.’ When they crucified Him, they drove in the nails, piercing His hands and feet, and those who crucified Him divided His clothes, casting lots for what they wanted to take, each receiving according to the lot's decision. You argue that this Psalm does not refer to Christ because you are completely
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Tertullian, On Baptism Background
with his hands laid on them and interchanged, and indeed so transversely slanted one over the other, that, by delineating Christ, they even portended the future benediction into Christ.
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Mark 10:16 Background
And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
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2 Kings 4:34 Background
And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands; and bowed himself upon him, and the flesh of the child grew warm.
Common Questions
What did early Christians use laying on of hands for?
They used it for receiving the Holy Spirit, ordaining church leaders, blessing, healing, and restoring repentant believers.
Did early Christians connect laying on of hands with the Holy Spirit?
Yes. Cyprian, Origen, and the Treatise on Re-Baptism connect it with receiving the Holy Spirit, especially after baptism.
Is laying on of hands in the Bible?
Yes. Acts 6:6, Acts 8:17, Acts 13:3, 1 Timothy 4:14, and 1 Timothy 5:22 are the clearest passages.
Source Index for Laying on of Hands
The guided sections above show the strongest quotations. This compact index highlights 144 ranked source links from 157 compiled sources for deeper study.
Source index 144 ranked links shown
Early Christian Writings 80 shown of 93
Primary-source quotations from early Christian writers and church documents.
Bible Passages 64 included
Related Bible passages saved for comparison with the early Christian quotations.
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Book 79 1:34
Related Resources
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Laying hands on the sick
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