Note 14 at Ac 6:6: The laying on of hands was not new with the church age. The whole tribe of Levi was separated unto the work of God by the Israelites laying hands on them (Nu 8:10) at the Lord's command. The Lord directed the priests to lay hands on the head of the sacrifices, symbolizing the transferal of sins to the animal (Le 1:4, 16:21; and Nu 8:12).

Through the laying on of hands, blessings were conferred (Ge 48:14-15). In the N.T., people were separated unto God through the laying on of hands (here and Ac 13:2-3). The Holy Ghost was given through the laying on of hands (Ac 8:17 and 19:6). Paul spoke of gifts that had been imparted to Timothy through the laying on of his hands (1Ti 4:14 and 2Ti 1:6). Heb 6:2 speaks of the doctrine of the laying on of hands as being one of the foundational truths of the Gospel of Christ (see note 17 at Mr 16:18).