page_title: Laying on of hands
section_title: Christian traditions
hierarchical_section_title: Laying on of hands / Christian traditions
caption_attribution_description: English: Laying on of hands Finnish Lutheran ordination in Oulu
context_page_description: The laying on of hands is a religious practice. In Judaism semikhah accompanies the conferring of a blessing or authority.
  In Christian churches, this practice is used as both a symbolic and formal method of invoking the Holy Spirit primarily during baptisms and confirmations, healing services, blessings, and ordination of priests, ministers, elders, deacons, and other church officers, along with a variety of other church sacraments and holy ceremonies.
  The practice of laying on of hands is also used in Navajo religious ceremonies.
context_section_description: In the New Testament the laying on of hands was associated with the receiving of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 8:14–19). Initially the Apostles laid hands on new believers as well as believers (see Acts 6:5–6). 
  The New Testament also associates the laying on of hands with the conferral of authority or designation of a person to a position of responsibility. (See Acts 6:6, Acts 13:3; and 1 Timothy 4:14. Also possibly Acts 14:23, where "ordained"—Greek: χειροτονήσαντες—may be translated "extended the hand".) The use of the laying on of hands for the ordination of church officers has continued in many branches of Christianity.
caption: Laying on of hands Finnish Lutheran ordination in Oulu, Finland
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