Acts 6:6
These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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While this rite signifies the apostles' confirmation of the church's choice and a prayer for God's blessing, the laying on of hands itself wasn't about the apostles giving the Spirit or power. It was a public designation, a visible sign that these men were being officially commissioned by God through His apostles for this specific service.
The church is growing so fast that practical needs are starting to outstrip the apostles' capacity to manage them, leading to complaints from Greek-speaking believers that their widows are being overlooked. To address this, the apostles propose that the congregation select seven capable men to oversee this daily distribution, so the apostles can focus on prayer and teaching the Word. After the congregation chooses these seven, they are presented to the apostles, who then pray for them and officially set them apart for their ministry by laying hands on them.
When the apostles laid hands on the seven chosen men, it was more than just a formality. It was a deeply symbolic act with ancient roots, signifying God's favor and empowerment.
The laying on of hands, as seen here in Acts 6:6, wasn't new. The Jewish tradition used this gesture for blessing, like Jacob with his grandsons (Genesis 48), and for passing on authority, as Moses did with Joshua (Numbers 27).
For the apostles, this act was a solemn dedication. It signaled that these seven men were being set apart for a sacred task, consecrated to God for their ministry. It was about concentrating spiritual energy, asking God to equip them with the gifts needed for their specific office, whether that was 'serving tables' or something more.
This ritual wasn't about the apostles imparting power from themselves, but rather acting as instruments through whom God's blessing and commission were conveyed. It was a tangible expression of God's endorsement on their service.
The seven were chosen by the people, but their official commissioning came through the apostles. What does this reveal about the partnership in the early church?
This passage beautifully illustrates a crucial partnership between the congregation and the apostles. The people were tasked with identifying and choosing individuals who were 'of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom' (Acts 6:3).
However, the choice of the congregation wasn't the final step. These chosen men were then 'set before the apostles.' This meant the apostles had the responsibility to confirm the selection and officially set them apart.
The laying on of hands by the apostles served as this confirmation and ordination. It showed that while the church community had discernment and the right to choose, the apostles held the ultimate authority to commission and authorize leaders within the body of Christ. It was a united front, with the people electing and the apostles consecrating.
Understand the original words
apostolos · Greek Noun
The authorized leaders of the early church, appointed by Jesus to be eyewitnesses of his resurrection, tasked with proclaiming the gospel and establishing the church.
epitithēmi cheiras · Greek Verb phrase
An act of dedication, commissioning, or invoking God's blessing and power upon a person for a specific task or office.
c. 30-33 AD
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
The foundational event for the Christian faith, leading to the formation of the early Church.
c. 33 AD
Pentecost and the Holy Spirit's Descent
The Holy Spirit empowers the apostles and the first believers, marking the public inauguration of the Church.
c. 33-47 AD
Early Church Growth and Initial Challenges
The Church in Jerusalem experiences rapid growth, but internal tensions begin to surface regarding resource distribution.
c. 47 AD— this verse
Selection of the Seven Deacons
To address a dispute over daily distribution to Hellenistic widows, the apostles guide the congregation to select seven capable men.
c. 47 AD
Apostolic Ordination of the Seven
The apostles pray and lay hands on the chosen seven, officially commissioning them for their service within the church.
This passage describes God's command to Moses to lay his hands on Joshua, signifying the transmission of authority and ability for leadership, mirroring the commissioning of the seven in Acts.
1 Timothy 5:22Paul instructs Timothy not to be hasty in laying on hands, showing that this rite was a significant act of appointment and bestowal of spiritual responsibility within the early church, just as seen with the deacons.
Hebrews 6:2The laying on of hands is listed as a foundational teaching of Christianity, highlighting its importance as a symbolic act of dedication and the impartation of spiritual gifts for ministry.
Genesis 48:14Jacob laying his hands on Ephraim and Manasseh, crossing his hands to bless the younger over the elder, demonstrates the ancient practice of laying on hands for blessing and setting apart individuals, a concept present in the Acts passage.
ellicottActs 6:6: "Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them."
(6) When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. —This is the first mention of the act in the New Testament. It had had an analogous meaning in the ritual of Israel ( Numbers 27:23 ) in acts of blessing ( Genesis 48:13-14 ) and the transmission of functions. Its primary symbolism would seem to be that of the concentration for the moment of all the spiritual energy of prayer upon him o…
barnesActs 6:6: "Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them."
And when they had prayed - Invoking in this manner the blessing of God to attend them in the discharge of the duties of their office. They laid their hands ... - Among the Jews it was customary to lay hands on the head of a person who was set apart to any particular office, Numbers 27:18; Compare Acts 8:19. This was done, not to impart any power or ability, but to "designate" that they receiv…
While this rite signifies the apostles' confirmation of the church's choice and a prayer for God's blessing, the laying on of hands itself wasn't about the apostles giving the Spirit or power. It was a public designation, a visible sign that these men were being officially commissioned by God through His apostles for this specific service.
The church is growing so fast that practical needs are starting to outstrip the apostles' capacity to manage them, leading to complaints from Greek-speaking believers that their widows are being overlooked. To address this, the apostles propose that the congregation select seven capable men to oversee this daily distribution, so the apostles can focus on prayer and teaching the Word. After the congregation chooses these seven, they are presented to the apostles, who then pray for them and officially set them apart for their ministry by laying hands on them.
The church is growing so fast that practical needs are starting to outstrip the apostles' capacity to manage them, leading to complaints from Greek-speaking believers that their widows are being overlooked. To address this, the apostles propose that the congregation select seven capable men to oversee this daily distribution, so the apostles can focus on prayer and teaching the Word. After the congregation chooses these seven, they are presented to the apostles, who then pray for them and officially set them apart for their ministry by laying hands on them.
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c. 47-49 AD
Stephen's Ministry and Martyrdom
One of the seven, Stephen, performs great wonders and disputations, eventually becoming the first Christian martyr.
"These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them." — While this rite signifies the apostles' confirmation of the church's choice and a prayer for God's blessing, the laying on of hands itself wasn't about the apostles giving the Spirit or power. It w…
