The Sense of Touch in Worship

Of the five senses and their use in worship, perhaps the one that is easiest to overlook is the sense of touch. Many of us may even think that physical touch is not a vital part of worship, and we may find it odd to even consider it at all. Yet when we think about it carefully, the sense of touch has always been incorporated into the worship of God’s people.

Consider, for instance, the laying on of hands. Under the old covenant administration, the laity regularly used touch in worship, for they would lay their hands on the sacrificial animals in order to identify themselves with the creatures that they were about to offer up (e.g., Lev. 1:4). In the ordination of the clergy, touch played an important part as well. As we saw in our study of Exodus 29, the Israelite priests received anointing with blood and oil in the process of installing them as priests.

Some of these practices have continued into the new covenant. The laying on of hands that was involved in ordaining old covenant priests has a counterpart today, for most churches lay hands on the men being ordained to vocational ministry. In Reformed churches, for instance, existing elders will lay hands on new elders as they are being ordained to the office. Paul alludes to this practice in today’s passage when he tells Timothy not to be hasty in the laying on of hands (1 Tim. 5:22). The New Testament even prescribes anointing people with oil. “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord” (James 5:14).

Lay Christians also use touch in worship. Depending on the church and its liturgy, there is usually a time in which people are encouraged to greet one another before, during, or after the worship service. Some churches refer to this as “passing the peace.” The practice finds its roots in texts such as Romans 16:16, where the Apostle Paul encourages the members of the church at Rome to “greet one another with a holy kiss.” While the form of greeting might vary from culture to culture, it is good for physical signs of fellowship to be part of worship in every age.

God values appropriate touch in the life of His people. Christ healed people by touching them, as is evident in texts such as Matthew 8:3, 15. If Christ used physical touch in ministering to others, there is a place for us to do so as well.