Biblical teaching on "laying on of hands"

In the Scriptures, laying on of hands was performed ONLY by SELECTED people who hold special role in God's plan and ONLY for specific reasons. This privilege is not given just to anybody in Israel or in the Church.

Laying on of hands in the Old testament and its purpose

1. Patriarchs -The patriarchs such as Jacob, Isaac, Joseph and Moses laid their hands on their deathbeds for the purpose of pronouncing blessings to their sons (Genesis 48:13-20; Numbers 27:18-20; 2).

2. Prophets -The Prophet Elisha did the same while on his deathbed (Kings 13:15-17). When Elisha was dying of an illness, Joash, Israel's king arrived and cried over him. Elisha then placed his hands on the king's hands (not on the head). Elisha directed the king to open the window on the east side of the house and shoot the arrow there as "the Lord's arrow of deliverance'. Then Isaiah prophesied that Joash will smite the Syrians in Aphek and will consume them." Elisha's laying on of his hands on the kings hands was a confirmation of king Joash's impending victory over God's enemy. No power has been imparted to Joash and his character has not been changed. He actually followed in the footsteps of his father Jeroboam allowing the veneration of the golden calves in Israel (2 Kings 13:11). Josephus even called him an "evil king."

3.  Priests and Levites - Laying on of hands was practiced by the Priest and Levites in connection with the offerings of animal sacrifices. They lay their hands on the heads of animals symbolizing the transfer of liability of sin of the offender to the animal and the substitution of an animal's death for the offender's. (2 Chronicles 29:23-24; Exodus 29:10)

Laying on of hands in the New Testament and its purpose

ONLY the apostles practiced laying on of hands in the New Testament. Some say that Jesus did practice the same but He simply did not lay His hands on people when healing the sick or when raising people from the dead. He simply touched them. Laying on of hands is not equivalent to touching a person but placing hands over the head of a person/persons. Here are 2 reasons cited in the NT for laying on of hands.

1. For the believers to receive the Holy Spirit.
The Apostles laid their hands on the believers to receive the Holy Spirit. "When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money" (Acts 8:18)

2. For commissioning missionaries
The Apostles laid their hands on Barnabas and Paul before they embarked on their missionary journey.
"Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away." (Acts 13:3)

Conclusion

Laying on of hands to receive the Spirit is a privilege that was only bestowed upon the apostles during the infancy of the Church. The apostles served as the foundation of the Church. Since there are only 12 apostles and there will be no other apostles to come after them as evidenced by the 12 foundations of the New Jerusalem with the names of the 12 disciples written on them, ("The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb" Rev 21:14) the laying on of hands to receive God's Spirit is no longer in effect since there are no more apostles today. The Spirit of God is being received today not by laying on of hands but by believing in the Gospel through hearing of God's Words.

There is also no Biblical support or mandate that laying on of hands should be practiced by believers to impart spiritual gifts or to heal the sick. It is not to be treated as a formula to claim some special powers and authority. Laying on of hands as formula for healing and anointing is not supported by the Scriptures.