THE LAYING ON OF HANDS AND THE GIFT OF CHRIST
We often hear it said — sometimes loudly, sometimes carelessly — that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). And indeed He is; His character does not change, His compassion does not waver, His sovereignty does not flicker like a candle in the wind.
But the unchanging Christ does not always repeat the same works. He does not walk again upon Galilee’s waves, nor does He call forth another Lazarus from Bethany’s tomb; these miracles served the purpose of their hour, and that hour has passed into sacred history. His sameness of nature does not demand sameness of action; His eternal strength does not require repeated signs.
In the New Testament era, the Spirit distributed miraculous gifts “for the confirmation of the word” (Hebrews 2:3-4); they were signs pointing to the truth before the Scriptures stood complete. And the ordinary way these gifts were bestowed was through the laying on of the apostles’ hands.
Philip could preach with power, but only Peter and John could impart the Spirit’s extraordinary manifestations (Acts 8:14-18). Paul longed to visit the Romans—not simply for fellowship, but “that I may impart to you some spiritual gift” (Romans 1:11). Apostolic hands were conduits of temporary gifts; apostolic teaching became the foundation of our permanent faith.
And now the apostles have finished their course; their hands rest in the dust, but their words live. No one today walks with their authority, for no one today stands as an eyewitness of the risen Christ. Consequently, the signs and wonders tied to their ministry have fulfilled their purpose.
The Spirit has not ceased to work—but He works now in the fashion promised for the ages: not in tongues, visions, and healings, but in conviction, regeneration, sanctification; shaping us, sealing us, filling us with holy hope.
The gift of the Spirit is Christ Himself dwelling within—Christ in us, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). The Father lays His hand upon us by laying His Son within us; the indwelling Christ is God’s touch upon the human heart, His presence breathed into our weakness, His grace written upon our days.
And so, though we do not expect the signs of the apostolic age, we expect something better: the steady, transforming, soul-deep work of the Spirit; the quiet miracles of repentance and new creation; the peace that settles when Christ makes His home in us; the life that rises when the gospel softens what sin had hardened. The gifts fade; the Giver remains. And the Giver gives Himself.
Lord Jesus, unchanging Savior, lay Your hand upon my heart through Your Word and through Your indwelling presence. Deliver me from chasing signs when You have given me Yourself. Teach me to rest in the finished Scriptures, to trust the steady work of the Spirit, and to rejoice that Christ is the gift, Christ is the promise, Christ is the power within me. Shape me, fill me, and keep me faithful, until I see You face to face. Amen.
BDD
