Laying On of Hands

Years ago while working for Billy Graham ’s film ministry, our department started the week with a chapel service. Initially, any employee could sign up to preach a twenty minute message. One Monday morning, I taught on healing. At the end, I asked those who needed healing to raise their hands. Then I instructed those who sat next to them to lay hands on that person. I’d seen that done before in various churches. The next day one of my coworkers approached me and said my message “offended” some people’s religious beliefs. I suspect he was the one offended. No one else complained to me. However, our chapel services soon changed. Only supervisors were allowed to give the message. I wasn’t one of them. Laying hands on people shouldn’t offend believers who know what the word of God says. It’s part of the Great Commission. Jesus said in Mark 16:17-18, “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons…they will lay hands on the sick, and they will rec