Some Background Info on Roots of Hypnosis

The first recorded use of hypnosis is found in the book of Genesis 2:21-22 (ASV) "So the Lord caused a deep sleep to fall upon man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh; and the rib which God took from the man He made into woman and brought her to the man." In this incident God used hypnosis as an anesthesia so that Adam felt no pain during the removal of his rib. Since that time, hypnosis has been used in almost every age and culture under a variety of names.

...ancient sources concerning Egyptian "Sleep Temples," The "Sleep Temples" are described in the Ebers Papyrus which are over three thousand years old. In the temple, the Egyptian priests used a hypnotic-like procedure to improve health. While the subjects were in the hypnotic state, suggestions for healing and health were given by the priest. The temple became so popular and successful that they spread to Greece and throughout Asia Minor.

Chaplain W. Leo Peacock gives a number of New Testament illustrations of hypnosis in his paper "Religious Hypnosis and Personal Control." He mentions that there are two words used for sleep in the New Testament. They are "Katheud" and "Koimoni". The latter is transliterated with the sound "hypnos" and translated as "sleep" or "restful sleep". Chaplain Peacock makes a point with his interpretation of Matthew's account of Joseph's dream concerning taking Mary as his wife (Matthew 1:20-25).

When Joseph discovered that Mary was expecting a child, he decided to break his engagement for he knew that the child was not his. The story told of an 'angel' or 'messenger' coming to Joseph in a dream. In this dream, the angel told Joseph to marry Mary. Upon wakening, Joseph did as the angel suggested.

Peacock writes that this is a clear description of an individual being hypnotized, and while under hypnosis being given a post-hypnotic suggestion, which he immediately acts upon following the trance. [W. Leo Peacok, "Religious Hypnosis and Personal Control", Dwight David Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Fort Gordon, Ga., p2]

Peacock also mentions the experience of Jesus with Peter, James, and John on the Mount of Transfiguration. Upon wakening from sleep, Peter, James, and John witness Moses and Elijah standing with Jesus (Luke 8:28-37). This experience was used as a positive force to enable the disciples to be able to accept that which was to later develop in Jerusalem. [Peacock, p4]

Though there are no direct references to Jesus using hypnosis (the word had not been used at the time of the original translation into English), he did use the power of suggestion in many of his healings. Jesus often used healing, touch and suggestions for healing. The leper was healed by Jesus' touch and words. Jesus put forth his hand and touching him said, "be thou clean and immediately his leprosy was cleansed" (Matthew 8:1-3). Of course, many other examples could be reported. I leave it to you to read the Gospel and discover other illustrations.

Paul speaks of being in a trance while he was praying in the temple (Acts 22:17). Peter "fell into a trance" and from that experience came to see that God loves all people and accepts all people who come to him. Peter had been invited by a centurion who was devout in his faith, but he was not Jewish. At that time, it was religiously unlawful for Peter to visit the centurion's house. After the dream, Peter went to visit the centurion (Acts 10:1-48).

Throughout the Book of Acts, there are a number of references to the apostles looking into the eyes or gazing into the eyes of a person which resulted in the person being healed. This man was listening to Paul as he spoke, who when he fixed his gaze upon him, and had seen that he had faith to be made well, said with a loud voice, "Stand upright on your feet", and he leaped up and began to walk (Acts 14:9-10).

The practice of "Laying on of Hands" mentioned in the Bible, uses some of the techniques of hypnosis. In the Book of Acts we read, "And it came about that the father of Publius was lying (i)n bed afflicted with recurrent fever and dysentery; and Paul went in to see him and after he prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him." (Acts 28:8).

In the Eighteenth Century, two Roman Catholic priests used hypnotic procedures and gained a reputation as healers. Due to their influence on Dr. Franz Anton Mesmer, they played a significant role in the history of hypnosis.

Father Gassner would have those desiring to healed brought into a room where they were told to wait. As their expectation mounted, Father Gassner would wait and then majestically enter the room, lower his cross on the head of a patient and command "be healed". The patient would collapse and upon command would rise praising God for healing. [Morton, p15]

Father Hell used hypnotic techniques and metal plates. He believed that illness occurred when the magnetism of the body was out of polarization. He would have the patients lie down and pass metal plates over them. His suggestion and the passes of the metal plates seemed to cure those whom came to him for healing. 

Source used: http://www.durbinhypnosis.com/historyofhypnosis.htm