The practice of laying hands on those entering the ministry goes back thousands of years. It was a common practice in the early church, and it has its roots in the Bible.
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." Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.One of the primary things that happens when hands are laid on someone in the church is a transfer of spiritual ability to fulfill a particular position.
(Acts 13:2-3)
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, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.
(Acts 6:5-6)
This is demonstrated in the book of Numbers. Moses needed men to help him oversee the people of Israel. They needed a special anointing from the Holy Spirit; God gave them the same anointing that Moses had.
So the LORD said to Moses: "Gather to Me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; bring them to the tabernacle of meeting, that they may stand there with you.
"Then I will come down and talk with you there. I will take of the Spirit that is upon you and will put the same upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone."
(Num. 11:16-17)
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