The laying on of hands is one of the first principles of the doctrine of Christ, which indicates its importance doctrinally and practically. The Lords wants us to thoroughly understand its meaning and application.

Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits.  Hebrews 6:1–3 (NKJV)

In ordination, laying on of hands can impart spiritual gifts, grace, and authority. It also symbolizes an identification or union between the minister and the one upon whom hands are laid. The one receiving the ministry may also act as a substitute for the one or ones doing the laying on of hands.

Identification and Substitution Relating to Christ’s Sacrificial Death

As an example of identification and substitution, in the Old Testament, offerers laid their hands upon the animals they brought to be sacrificed by the priests, thereby symbolically imparting their sins and offenses against God to the animal, which died in their place. A good example of this is when the “escape” goat was released into the wilderness bearing Israel’s sins. May believe this foreshadowed our Lord carrying our sins into hell after his crucifixion.

21 Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, confess over it all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions, concerning all their sins, putting them on the head of the goat, and shall send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a suitable man. 22 The goat shall bear on itself all their iniquities to an uninhabited land; and he shall release the goat in the wilderness.  Leviticus 16:21–22 (NKJV)

When Jesus the Lamb of God was crucified, God placed our sins on him. He was completely identified with us and our sin. When he died, we died. Since he paid the penalty for our sins, so did we because we were in him. There can be no double jeopardy in God’s justice system.

5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 6:5–11 (NKJV) 

Jesus also acted as our substitute by dying in our place. Because God the Father accepted his offering on our behalf, we received the gift of his right standing with God (justification) through identification or union with Christ.

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.  2 Corinthians 5:21 (NASB95)

We were placed “in” Christ so that when he died, so did we. When he rose, we did, too.

For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15 and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.  2 Corinthians 5:14–15 (NASB95)

The identification/substitution aspect of the laying on of hands must be understood if we are to grasp the nature of the finished work of Christ on our behalf, but it also relates to ordination into ministry and the impartation of gifts and blessings.  

Identification and Substitution Regarding Ordination to Ministry

In the Old Testament, every firstborn son belonged to the Lord. Instead of requiring them to enter service to the Lord’s tabernacle, God set apart men from the tribe of Levi to substitute for the first born.

Thus you shall separate the Levites from among the sons of Israel, and the Levites shall be Mine. 15 “Then after that the Levites may go in to serve the tent of meeting. But you shall cleanse them and present them as a wave offering; 16 for they are wholly given to Me from among the sons of Israel. I have taken them for Myself instead of every first issue of the womb, the firstborn of all the sons of Israel.  Numbers 8:14–16 (NASB95)

God used the laying on of hands to symbolize, formalize, and communicate the grace needed for the Levites to carry out this service.

and present the Levites before the Lord; and the sons of Israel shall lay their hands on the Levites. 11 “Aaron then shall present the Levites before the Lord as a wave offering from the sons of Israel, that they may qualify to perform the service of the Lord.  Numbers 8:10–11 (NASB95)

This concept carries over into the New Testament. When the Holy Spirit called Paul and Barnabas to take the gospel to foreign lands, the leaders of the church recognized this calling by laying hands upon the two.

One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” 3 So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.  Acts 13:2–3 (NLT)

By so doing, they sent Paul and Barnabas out as representatives of the local church at Antioch. They also acted as substitutes for the rest of the church, since the entire church was called to spread the good news. The church got behind them in prayer and financial support. In addition, blessings and grace were imparted. They committed these men to the grace of God, just as Paul did later when he ordained elders through the laying on of hands.

Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. 24 Then they traveled back through Pisidia to Pamphylia. 25 They preached the word in Perga, then went down to Attalia.  Acts 14:23–25 (NLT)

Although the laying on of hands is not specifically mentioned, I believe we can assume that they did so. Grace is communicated at the time of ordination.

Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you.  1 Timothy 4:14 (NLT)

When we ordain someone, it does not transform them on the inside into new people. Rather, governmental leaders should only ordain those in whom God has already been at work preparing them for ministry. The Lord should have already made clear that he has appointed them to the work.

We lay hands upon those whom God has already laid his hand upon.  

In addition, the laying on of hands does not impart character, only grace and gifting for ministry. Character is an inner ongoing work of the Spirit of God and is vital in the life of anyone ordained to ministry.

God’s gifts and the pressures of ministry can only flourish without crushing us over time if we have a strong foundation of godly character.

Once we ordain someone, they become formally identified with us. Therefore, we should be careful to only ordain proven people. Otherwise, we may become identified with their failures and sin. The reputation of God’s church is at stake.

Do not lay hands on anyone hastily and so identify with the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.  1 Timothy 5:22 (NET)

When hands are laid on individuals to ordain them to governmental ministry, authority is conveyed to them by those in authority.

Then Moses said to the Lord, 16 “O Lord, you are the God who gives breath to all creatures. Please appoint a new man as leader for the community. 17 Give them someone who will guide them wherever they go and will lead them into battle, so the community of the Lord will not be like sheep without a shepherd.” 18 The Lord replied, “Take Joshua son of Nun, who has the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him. 19 Present him to Eleazar the priest before the whole community, and publicly commission him to lead the people. 20 Transfer some of your authority to him so the whole community of Israel will obey him.  Numbers 27:15–20 (NLT)

God gives grace and authority to those to whom he gives responsibility.

Responsibility without authority is an exercise in frustration. Authority without responsibility is an ego trip.

Laying on of Hands to Impart Blessings and Spiritual Gifts

The laying on of hands is also used to impart blessings outside of ordination. Jesus laid his hands on children to bless them.

One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. 14 But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” 15 And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left.  Matthew 19:13–15 (NLT)

It should be our practice to lay hands on people, with their permission, to bless them and pray for them. We never know what God may communicate to them through this gesture. He may impart healing, a miracle, or a sensation of his presence. The baptism in the Spirit is often imparted through laying our hands upon people and praying for them.

As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new believers to receive the Holy Spirit. 16 The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.  Acts 8:15–17 (NLT)

Jesus laid his hands upon the sick as part of communicating healing to them and setting them free from demonic oppression.

While the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and laying His hands on each one of them, He was healing them. 41 Demons also were coming out of many, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But rebuking them, He would not allow them to speak, because they knew Him to be the Christ.  Luke 4:40–41 (NASB95)

…they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”  Mark 16:18b (NKJV)

Some people teach that we should not cast out demons by laying on of hands because the demon might enter us, but that is not scriptural. We are protected from demonization by the Lord, unless we open a door by deliberate sin. Often sick people are afflicted by demons, and sometimes it is difficult to discern if the sickness comes from natural or demonic sources. When we lay hands upon the sick, we may find that people are delivered, as seemed to happen when Jesus prayed for the sick and laid hands on them. Generally, we should simply cast them out with a command in Jesus’ name.

Conclusion

In summary, the laying on of hands is one of the first principles of the doctrine of Christ. It carries with it the idea of substitution and identification. Blessings are imparted, responsibility given, and authority communicated. Even those who do not have roles of responsibility and authority in the church can practice the laying on of hands in prayer, blessing, healing, and casting out evil spirits. I believe that the laying on of hands is underutilized by the church as an evangelistic tool. Many people will allow us to pray for them, even if they are not currently open to the gospel. Once we pray and lay hands upon people to bless them, we cross over an unseen barrier that allows us to talk more freely with them about spiritual things in the future.