[The text below represents an edited transcript of this Tomorrow’s World whiteboard video.]
How Is the Laying on of Hands a Basic Doctrine for Christians?
Hebrews 6:2 calls the laying on of hands a foundational Christian doctrine.
But what exactly is it? And why is it used?
In this video, we’ll explore the laying on of hands in five key points, examining its purpose, symbolism, and essential lessons for Christians today.
Be sure to stick around for all the points, so you get the entire picture.
And, as always, don’t just believe us, but look up these verses—and believe it, because you can prove it from the pages of your own Bible.
Laying on of hands defined
The laying on of hands is a ceremonial act in which a servant of God prays while placing his hands on the individual he is praying for.
Yet this simple ceremony holds great spiritual importance, which we’ll explain from examples in the Bible.
Now what does it mean, and why is it used?
Point #1: The laying on of hands can symbolize a transfer or substitution
In the Old Testament, the practice was used in the sacrificial rituals.
For instance, in Leviticus 8, when Aaron and his sons were appointed to the priesthood, they laid hands on a bull before it was sacrificed as a sin offering.
Then Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the bull for the sin offering (Leviticus 8:14).
The laying on of hands represents a transfer of sins
This act symbolized the figurative transfer of their sins to the animal, cleansing and purifying Aaron and his sons from sin. The bull then became a substitute, suffering the death penalty in their place.
Of course, this was symbolic and only foreshadowed Christ’s ultimate sacrifice for our sins (John 1:29; Romans 3:23–26; Hebrews 9:9–15; Hebrews 10:3–4).
Laying on hands also symbolizes a life dedicated to God
Similarly, in Leviticus chapter 1, individuals were directed to lay hands on burnt offerings, symbolizing their dedication to God.
If his offering is a burnt sacrifice of the herd... he shall offer it of his own free will at the door of the tabernacle of meeting before the Lord. Then he shall put his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on his behalf (Leviticus 1:3–4).
This sacrifice, in which virtually the whole body was burned on the altar, pictured an entire life being dedicated to God’s will and purpose.
Old Testament sacrifices were a precursor to Jesus Christ
And just like the sin offering, the burnt offering also pointed forward to Jesus Christ. It represented His life, which was wholly submitted to God’s will and purpose (Ephesians 5:2–10). And it reflects Christians being called to present themselves as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1).
So in the Old Testament, we see that the laying on of hands was an important symbolic act in the Israelites’ worship practices. It pointed to Jesus Christ’s future sacrifice, when He would become the ultimate substitute for us to be cleansed of sin, so we could then live our life wholly dedicated and pleasing to God.
Point #2: The laying on of hands symbolizes God’s desire to set something or someone apart for a particular reason
We see this in Numbers 27.
So Moses did as the Lord commanded him. He took Joshua and set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation. And he laid his hands on him and inaugurated him, just as the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses (Numbers 27:22–23).
Joshua was not appointed over all of Israel by Moses. Moses merely laid hands on Joshua as a symbol of God’s choice for Moses’ successor.
In Acts 6, we see the apostles laying hands on the newly appointed deacons.
God was giving them authority in their new roles through His ordained and chosen servants—the apostles—who “when they had prayed, they laid hands on them” (Acts 6:6).
Later, in Acts 13, we see the leaders of the church at Antioch laid hands on Paul and Barnabas, commissioning them for their missionary journey.
In the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers.... As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away (Acts 13:1–3).
God worked through the laying on of hands in these examples to show that Joshua, the deacons, Paul, and Barnabas were all set apart for His purpose.
Point #3: The laying on of hands is used to convey inheritance and God’s blessings—including the Holy Spirit
When the patriarch Jacob, also named Israel, blessed the two sons of Joseph, Jacob said to Joseph, “Please bring them to me, and I will bless them” (Genesis 48:9).
So Joseph brought them from beside his knees, and he bowed down with his face to the earth.... Then Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on Ephraim’s head...and his left hand on Manasseh’s head…. And he blessed [them] (Genesis 48:12–15).
The blessings, originally given to Abraham, were passed down to his son Isaac, who then passed them on to Jacob. In this passage, Jacob confirms the passing of the blessings to Joseph’s two sons by laying his hands on their heads.
Of course, God gives the blessings, but the laying on of hands was again a symbolic act picturing God’s will and the transfer of the inheritance that He would give to these two boys and their descendants.
Jesus laid hands on children to bless them
Another example is when Jesus blessed small children.
Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them.... And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them (Mark 10:13–16; ref. Matthew 19:13–15).
Jesus laid His hands on them, asking for God the Father’s blessing, as a physical sign to show where and through whom God was working.
People received the Holy Spirit after baptism when the apostles laid hands on them
The same practice is used after baptism to give the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.... Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:14–17).
When Paul was being called, God sent one of His servants to baptize and lay hands on him.
And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 9:17).
When Paul came to Ephesus, realizing that the disciples there were only baptized into John’s baptism, he baptized them in the name of the Lord Jesus.
And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them (Acts 19:6).
Spiritual gifts come through the laying on of hands
And the same practice is used in the giving of other spiritual gifts.
Paul told Timothy:
Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership (1 Timothy 4:14).
He also said:
Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands (2 Timothy 1:6).
And Joshua received the spiritual gift of wisdom at his ordination.
Now Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him (Deuteronomy 34:9).
So the Bible clearly shows that God uses His servants, or His ministry, and the laying on of their hands to convey His giving of spiritual gifts, the Holy Spirit, and blessings.
Point #4: Jesus instructed His ordained servants to lay hands on the sick for healing
First, let’s note Jesus’ example:
When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them (Luke 4:40).
And when Jesus came to Nazareth, He was rejected, so that “He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them” (Mark 6:5).
It’s a sign of where—and with whom—God is working
He instructed His ministers to do this as well when someone needed healing. He told them this would be a sign indicating where God is truly working.
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.... And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name...they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mark 16:15–18).
We see Paul following this instruction.
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 his hands on him and healed him (Acts 28:8).
The Bible shows that God will heal those in need according to His will and power. And He often does it through the laying on of His servants’ hands.
Now, when you layer in points one through four together, we find a vital lesson regarding this doctrine.
Point #5: The laying on of hands is a sign of God’s authority
As we’ve seen from Scripture, God works through His appointed servants.
While God could act directly, He uses His servants to carry out His will, especially in healing, blessing, and ordaining.
The laying on of hands requires recognition of the human instruments through whom He works.
Notice the instruction in James 5:14 to anyone who is 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).
Now, it’s important to clarify—this is not a magical or mystical act.
- No minister’s hands are special or holy.
- Moses’ hands didn’t transmit wisdom to Joshua.
- Christ’s physical fingers didn’t do anything for those children.
- Paul is not the one who took away the sickness.
- Peter and John didn’t impart the Holy Spirit to the disciples.
The power does not reside in the physical act or the hands themselves.
Simon the sorcerer mistakenly thought he could purchase the power to wield himself.
When Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit” (Acts 8:18–19).
And Peter sharply rebuked him of his wickedness.
The power, gifts, healing, and authority all come from God, not the man
Even today, God works through His physical Church and His physical ministry. And God has appointed His Church to use the laying on of hands as a sign of His will, His work, and His authority.
Jesus Christ guides and rules His Church through His chosen, authorized ministry that He has placed in His Church.
This is how God reinforces the truth that Christ is the Head of the Church (Colossians 1:18).
Ordination must come through Christ’s true ministry by the laying on of hands
When individuals submit to the laying on of hands, they acknowledge this authority and submit to God’s reign over their lives.
In conclusion, the laying on of hands is a powerful symbol of God’s work through His Church. It’s not about the hands themselves, but about the God behind them.
This foundational Christian doctrine reminds us of Christ’s sacrifice, God’s authority, His blessings, and His healing power
As we understand and submit to this doctrine in our lives, we grow in our recognition of God’s work through His Church and deepen our submission to His authority.
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