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been separated by the Spirit of God unto a special work. Barnabas we know was already
"full of holy spirit" (11: 24), and the laying on of the hands of their fellow "prophets and
teachers" did not confer any gift, but simply gave a solemn ratification of the call of the
Spirit. Chapter 19: 6 is a repetition of the case cited in chapter 8:, for the holy spirit
came upon the men when Paul laid his hands upon them. Paul also in chapter 28: 8
lays his hands on the father of Publius and heals him. In I Tim. 5: 22 Timothy is charged
to "lay hands suddenly on no man", and the context (see 3:) speaks of the great care
necessary in appointing "bishops and deacons" over the church of God. I Tim. 4: 14
speaks of the laying on of the hands of the elders, while II Tim. 1: 6 speaks of something
imparted by the laying on of the hands of the apostle ("my hands"). The whole teaching
of the laying on of hands therefore may be reduced to three heads.
(1). The healing of the sick and raising of the dead.
(2). The imparting of "the Holy Spirit".
(3). The confirmation of an appointment to some office in the Church.
Looking at the facts recorded in the Acts, only the apostles had the power to confer
"holy spirit", while both the apostles and others are said to lay their hands on men who
had been set apart for some special ministry. The references to Timothy come under
headings 2 and 3, for not only is there no indication that Timothy had the gift of healing,
but on the contrary there is definite witness that he was advised to resort to the medical
value of a little wine for his "often infirmities". Let us examine the passages cited in
your letter.
"This charge I commit to thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies as to thee
preceding, in order that thou mightest war by them the good warfare, maintaining faith
and a good conscience; which (last) some having put away, have made shipwreck as to
faith" (I Tim. 1: 18, 19).
Timothy is here spoken of as a man concerning whom prophecy went before, and
indicated him as a minister chosen by Christ. The apostle, therefore, because of this
special calling, deposits or entrusts to Timothy a special "charge". What is this charge?
It appears from the passage quoted to have reference to the endeavour to "maintain faith
and a good conscience" among those who were making shipwreck of faith. Earlier in the
chapter the apostle had defined "the charge"; Timothy was to remain at Ephesus that he
might "charge" some not to teach other doctrines (1: 3). Verse 5 reads, "now the end of
the commandment", and by the rendering "commandment", the mind of the reader is
turned aside from the true current of the apostle's thought. Translate the verse, "now the
end of the charge is love out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith
unfeigned, which some having swerved have turned aside, etc.", and its connection with
"this charge" of verses 18, 19 is very evident. "The charge" receives amplification in
chapters 2: and 3: where various items of doctrine and practice are specified. The
attitude of the church toward kings and governments, the place of man and woman in the
ministry, the relation of husband and wife, the qualifications necessary for the office of
bishop and deacon. The careful direction of these things was to be Timothy's difficult
task at Ephesus. Paul therefore reminds him that there had been special marks of divine