What is the Laying on of Hands?
Fundamental Role of the Laying on of Hands in Scripture
Hebrews 6:1-2, “Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of…instruction about…the laying on of hands…”
The laying on of hands is a consistently biblical practice with significant theological roots. Hebrews 6:2 lists it among the “elementary doctrine[s] of Christ,” placing it alongside repentance, faith, baptism, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment as a fundamental Christian belief.
From the sacrifices of Leviticus to the commissioning of leaders in Acts, laying on of hands is never portrayed as merely a ritual. It is a visible act that marks who belongs to God, who has been called to serve, or who has been blessed with divine favor.
1. Old Testament Background
A. Sacrificial Identification
Leviticus 1:4 explains: “He shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.” By placing hands on the animal, the worshiper designated it as his offering. Groups could also lay hands together on sacrificial animals, signifying collective ownership (Exodus 29:10; Numbers 8:12). This was an act of attribution (the offering belonged to the worshiper), not necessarily a transfer of guilt.
B. Ritual Confession
On the Day of Atonement, Aaron laid both hands on the scapegoat and confessed the sins of Israel, designating the goat as the symbolic bearer of iniquity to carry the sins to Azazel (Leviticus 16:21). Similarly, witnesses laid hands on a blasphemer before execution (Leviticus 24:14), marking him as guilty.
C. Blessing and Succession
Hands were also laid in blessing and for the purpose of leadership succession. Jacob blessed Ephraim and Manasseh by crossing his hands on their heads (Genesis 48:14). Moses laid hands on Joshua, commissioning him as leader of Israel: “Joshua…was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him” (Deuteronomy 34:9). The act symbolized God’s Spirit equipping Joshua for his task.
2. Four New Testament Purposes
A. Blessing
Jesus laid His hands on children to bless them (Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 10:16). This continued the Old Testament pattern, showing that divine favor and covenantal identity could be confirmed with a touch.
B. Healing
Jesus frequently healed the sick by laying hands on them (Luke 4:40). Ananias restored Paul’s sight and prayed for him to be filled with the Spirit through this gesture (Acts 9:17). Paul himself healed Publius’s father by laying hands on him (Acts 28:8).
C. Reception of the Holy Spirit
In Acts 8:17, Peter and John laid hands on Samaritan believers, who then received the Holy Spirit. Paul did the same for disciples in Ephesus (Acts 19:6). Timothy was reminded to stir up the gift imparted to him “through the laying on of my hands” (2 Timothy 1:6).
D. Ordination and Commissioning
The early church used laying on of hands to commission leaders and missionaries. The Seven were appointed to serve in Acts 6:6. The church in Antioch sent out Paul and Barnabas after prayer and the laying on of hands (Acts 13:3). Timothy received his ministry through the hands of the elders (1 Timothy 4:14).
3. Laying on of Hands in Acts
Ordination – Acts 6:6: “They prayed and laid their hands on them.”
Spirit Reception – Acts 8:17: “They laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.”
Healing and the Spirit – Acts 9:12, 17: Ananias lays hands on Paul, who regains sight and receives the Spirit.
Commissioning – Acts 13:3: Paul and Barnabas are sent out with fasting, prayer, and laying on of hands.
Spirit Empowerment – Acts 19:6: “The Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.”
Healing – Acts 28:8: Paul lays hands on Publius’s father and heals him.
4. The Holy Spirit Without Laying on of Hands
Pentecost (Acts 2:1–4) – The disciples receive the Spirit directly, with no human mediation: “They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
Cornelius and his household (Acts 10:44-48) – While Peter is still preaching, the Spirit falls on all who hear the word: “The Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word… For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God.”
Gentile believers in Antioch of Pisidia (Acts 13:48-52) – After Paul’s preaching, “the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit” without reference to hands.
Saul/Paul’s initial conversion (Acts 9:3-6, later clarified in 22:16) – Though Ananias lays hands on him for sight and Spirit, Paul’s baptism in connection with his calling also emphasizes Spirit-gift directly from Christ (see Acts 22:16).
John 20:21-22 – After the resurrection, Jesus breathes on the disciples and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” No laying on of hands is mentioned.
Galatians 3:2-5 – Paul argues the Galatians received the Spirit not by works or ritual, but “by hearing with faith.”
5. Historical Development in the Church
Baptism – In the early church, the laying on of hands was often associated with baptism, symbolizing the believer’s incorporation into Christ and the community of faith. In some traditions, it was used immediately following baptism to signify the seal of the Spirit’s presence (Acts 8:17).
Healing – Following the example of Jesus and the apostles, the church continued to practice the laying on of hands for healing the sick. This act was not viewed as an empty ritual, but rather as a channel of God’s mercy, often paired with prayer and sometimes accompanied by anointing with oil (Mark 6:5; Acts 28:8; James 5:14).
Confirmation – Some communities developed the practice of laying on hands after baptism to emphasize the gift of the Holy Spirit. While baptism signified cleansing and new birth, confirmation through this gesture highlighted empowerment for Christian life and witness, particularly in connection with Acts 8:14-17.
Ordination – The act became central in setting apart ministers for service, drawing on the biblical examples of Moses with Joshua and the apostles with deacons and missionaries. Episcopal traditions especially emphasized continuity in leadership through this act, seeing it as a visible link of authority back to the apostles themselves (1 Tim. 4:14; Acts 13:3).
Penance – In some early Christian and monastic contexts, the laying on of hands became a sign of reconciliation for those who had strayed and repented. It served as a visible gesture of restoring penitents to the fellowship of the church, embodying God’s forgiveness and acceptance.
Blessing – Beyond formal sacraments, the church also used the gesture for moments of pastoral care and spiritual encouragement: blessing children, commissioning missionaries, and asking God’s favor in times of crisis or transition. In this way, it became a flexible act of intercession and encouragement for the people of God.
Bible Verses on the Laying on of Hands
Leviticus 1:4 – “He shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.”
Leviticus 16:21 – “Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over it all the iniquities of the people of Israel.”
Numbers 27:23 – “He laid his hands on him and commissioned him as the Lord directed through Moses.”
Deuteronomy 34:9 – “Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him.”
Matthew 19:15 – “And he laid his hands on them and went away.”
Luke 4:40 – “He laid his hands on every one of them and healed them.”
Acts 6:6 – “They prayed and laid their hands on them.”
Acts 8:17 – “They laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 13:3 – “After fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.”
2 Timothy 1:6 – “Fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”
