Down the centuries, the laying on of hands has made a huge contribution to the fostering of the great evil of sacramentalism. While most of today's evangelical and Reformed churches have a low view of ordination coupled with the laying on of hands, nevertheless, sacramentalism is never far removed from the procedure - even in those churches. And as always, it is what people in the pew think - not what the theologians tell them to think. And, never forget, when we find sacramentalism, sacerdotalism is never far behind. This book is no ivory-tower study. Sacramentalism and a return to the Fathers is on the march, and in the most surprising of quarters. The laying on of hands, therefore, unless properly weighed in the balances according to Scripture, may yet mistakenly come to play a very important role in the churches in the not-too-distant future. It may yet assume its full sacramental - not to say, sacerdotal - dress even in some of today's most 'orthodox' of evangelical or Reformed churches. Already, where the rite is used, it is regarded as the pinnacle of the ordination service. Consequently, in this book, David Gay gets to grips with something which is far from trivial.