Hebrews 6:2 refers to “laying on of hands” as a doctrine.

Heb 6:2  of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

What is the doctrine of “laying on of hands”?  Let’s have a closer look.

“Laying on of hands” is mentioned a number of times in different contexts throughout the Bible. 

Arrest or Apprehend

Sometimes the term is used to mean to arrest or apprehend.  Here are some examples.

Mat 21:46  But when they sought to lay hands on Him [Jesus], they feared the multitudes, because they took Him for a prophet.

Luk 21:12  But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake.

The next two examples are where an individual is set apart for death.  Note that in these cases, hands are laid on the head of the individual.

Setting apart for Sacrifice

In the Old Testament “laying on of hands” is used for selecting or setting apart an animal for sacrifice.  Here are some examples.  Note that the hands are laid on the head of the animal.

Lev 4:15  And the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands on the head of the bull before the LORD. Then the bull shall be killed before the LORD.

Lev 8:14  And he brought the bull for the sin offering. Then Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the bull for the sin offering,

Lev 8:18  Then he brought the ram as the burnt offering. And Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram,

Setting apart for Punishment

“Laying on of hands” is also used to set apart a person for punishment.  In Leviticus there is an incident where a man cursed the name of the Lord.  Those who heard him, that is the witnesses, laid their hands on his head before he was stoned.  Note that hands were laid on the head of the man.

Lev 24:11  And the Israelite woman’s son blasphemed the name of the LORD and cursed; and so they brought him to Moses. (His mother’s name was Shelomith the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan.)

Lev 24:14  “Take outside the camp him who has cursed; then let all who heard him lay their hands on his head, and let all the congregation stone him.

The remaining examples are where a person is set apart for some kind of blessing.  Note that there is no mention of laying hands on the head of the person, with one exception (see below).

Setting apart for Appointing

“Laying on of hands” is used when appointing someone.  It was used when the Levites were chosen to serve God.

Num 8:10  So you shall bring the Levites before the LORD, and the children of Israel shall lay their hands on the Levites;

It was used when Joshua was chosen as leader.

Num 27:22  So Moses did as the LORD commanded him. He took Joshua and set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation.
Num 27:23  And he laid his hands on him and inaugurated him, just as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.

Deu 34:9  Now Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; so the children of Israel heeded him, and did as the LORD had commanded Moses.

It was used in the New Testament when the seven were chosen to serve the people.

Act 6:5  And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch,
Act 6:6  whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.

It was used when the people sent off Paul and Barnabas.

Act 13:2  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.”
Act 13:3  Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.

Setting apart for Healing

“Laying on of hands” is used when healing someone.  Here are some examples.

Mar 6:5  Now He [Jesus] could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.

Mar 16:18  they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Luk 4:40  When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him [Jesus]; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them.

Luk 13:13  And He [Jesus] laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

Act 28:8  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.

Setting apart for Receiving the Holy Spirit

“Laying on of hands” is used (after baptism) when receiving the Holy Spirit.

Act 8:17  Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Act 8:18  And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,

Act 9:17  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.”

Act 19:6  And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.

1Ti 4:14  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.

2Ti 1:6  Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

Setting apart for Blessing

“Laying on of hands” is used when blessing someone.  Jesus laid His hands on the little children when He blessed them.

Mar 10:16  And He [Jesus] took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.

Jacob (Israel) also laid his hands on Ephraim and Manasseh when blessing them. 

Gen 48:14  Then Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands knowingly, for Manasseh was the firstborn.

Jacob placed his hands on his grandchildren’s heads.  As mentioned earlier, this seems to be done only when the individual is going to be killed.  Note that in this case, the instruction to lay hands on the head comes from God.  However, this example is different in two ways.  Firstly, Jacob was not following a direct command from God, it was just something he did.  Secondly, two hands weren’t laid on one head, but rather one hand on each head.

Conclusion

We have seen that, with the exception of apprehending someone, the term “laying on of hands” is used in the Bible for setting apart in six different ways: Sacrifice, Punishment, Appointing, Healing, Receiving the Holy Spirit, and Blessing.  Furthermore, Sacrifice and Punishment relate only to the Old Testament. 

Since the doctrine of “laying on of hands” is something that relates to the New Testament church, we can conclude that the doctrine of “laying on of hands” is the teaching of using laying on of hands to set a person apart for the purpose of Appointing, Healing, Receiving the Holy Spirit, or Blessing.