Acts 28:8

And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid hands on him, and healed him.

1. The father of this prominent man is very sick. Luke, the physician, tells us that he has a high fever and dysentery. Adam Clarke suggests that this might be cholera - because of the storm and drinking contaminated water.

2. Paul learned of this very sick man, went to him. He laid hands on him, and healed him

3. "Laying on hands" has four meanings in the New Testament.

1. Laying on hands was used to empower early Christians. The apostles had the power to bestow some spiritual gift by the laying on of hands.

2. Laying on hands was also an act of blessing or wishing well. The brethren laid hands on Paul and Barnabas as they began their first missionary journey.

3. This term is also use of violence. When Paul was in Jerusalem, the Jews laid hands on him. That is, they grabbed him to hold him under arrest.

4. Here the term is used to bestow healing or help.