1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
The laying on of hands is given by God for the transmission of His gifts from one person to another person. There are three distinct applications of the laying on hand. First the Holy Spirit was received through the laying on of hands. Second healing was received through the laying on of hand. Third spiritual gifts were received through the laying on of hands.
The Gift of Holy Spirit received through the laying on of hands
14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God they sent unto them Peter and John:
15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
--- Acts 8:14-17
1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
7 And all the men were about twelve.
--- Acts 19:1-7
The Apostles had the gift to lay hands on the disciples to receive the Holy Spirit. That was Peter, John, and Paul. Even today there are men and women with that gift. There is no where in the scriptures where it says or reads that that gift or ability was limited to the apostles or the early church.
The Gift of Healing received through the laying on hands
40 Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.
--- Luke 4:40
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
--- Mark 16:15-18
One of the primary ways Jesus healed was through the laying of his hands. He commissioned the apostles to go into all the world and declared that one of the signs that would follow people who believed the gospel was they would lay hands on the sick and they would recover. The laying on of hands on the sick is for any believer.
The laying on of hands for the receiving of Spiritual Gifts
6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
--- 1 Timothy 1:6-7
14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands
of the presbytery.
--- 1 Timothy 4:14
9 And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the Lord commanded Moses.
--- Deuteronomy 34:9
The apostle Paul laid hands on Timothy and released gifts into and upon him. Moses released the spirit of wisdom unto Joshua by laying hands on him. The laying on of hands releases the Holy Spirit, healing and gifts.