Book of Acts - Chapter 6 - Verse 6

The verse 'Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them' from Acts 6:6 highlights an important practice in the early Christian church known as the laying on of hands. This ritual was a symbol of commissioning and blessing, often done to ordain individuals for specific roles within the church. In this particular context, the apostles were setting apart individuals for service in the distribution of food to widows. By laying their hands on these individuals after praying, the apostles were invoking the power of the Holy Spirit to empower and guide them in their ministry. The act of laying on of hands was a way for the church to recognize and affirm the calling of those being commissioned, as well as a means of imparting spiritual authority and support. This practice continues to be an important tradition in many Christian denominations today, often used in ordination ceremonies and other significant moments in the life of the church.

In this verse, the act of setting individuals before the apostles followed by prayer and the laying on of hands is deeply significant in the theological interpretation of ordination and commissioning within the Christian tradition. The laying on of hands is a symbolic act found throughout the Bible, where it signifies the conferral of blessing, authority, or commissioning. In this context, the laying on of hands is associated with the transmission of the Holy Spirit and the empowering of individuals for ministry. The apostles, as leaders in the early church, played a crucial role in selecting and authorizing others for service. This practice can be traced back to the Old Testament, where Moses laid hands on Joshua to commission him as his successor. Through this act, individuals were set apart for a specific purpose and were believed to receive special grace and empowerment from God for their ministry. The theological richness of this verse invites us to reflect on the significance of ordination and commissioning in the church today, as we continue the tradition of recognizing and equipping individuals for service in the Kingdom of God.