Acts 6:6

Whom they set. Probably for examination, instruction, and of course for ordination.

Prayed. The Greek makes clear that it was the apostles who prayed before laying their hands on the seven chosen men. The early church took no major step without first praying (see on ch. 1:14, 24; 2:42).

Laid their hands. This is the first mention of the act in the NT. In the OT, however, it had already been used for the act of blessing (see on Gen. 48:13, 14), in the consecration of the priests (see on Num. 8:10), and in the dedication of Joshua to leadership (see on Num. 27:18, 23). The significance of the act was therefore not unknown to the faithful Jew. To the Christian there was added import in that the Master often healed the sick by laying His hands on them (Mark 6:5; Luke 4:40; 13:13; cf. Mark 16:18). Similarly, He blessed the children (Matt. 19:15). The apostles, then, had good precedent for blessing and dedicating the seven by the laying on of hands. They continued to use this method in similar situations, as may be seen in Acts 8:17; 13:3; 19:6. In the apostolic church hands were laid on men in ordination to the ministry (1 Tim. 4:14; 5:22; 2 Tim. 1:6). It appears from Heb. 6:2 that the practice crystallized into an accepted procedure in church polity. It should signify a close spiritual connection between the Lord and the one on whom the hands are laid (AA 161, 162).