Thta is still true in the catholic church. the priest is a SPECIAL SET ASIDE person who can perform rituals that ordinary men can not
Apparently, it is the Holy Spirit's own will to move by the laying on of the hands:
The laying of hands dated back to Genesis. Jacob laid hands on his children and pronounced various blessings on them (Gen. 48:17).
Laying of hands was done to invoke blessings on someone. Jesus laid hands on children to show His approval of them (Mt. 19:15).
During a sacrifice the Priest would lay hands on the animal symbolically transferring the sins of the people to the animal
The laying on of hands was also an OT tradition that symbolized the giving of authority, it was a commission
The NT indicates three events where the Holy Spirit was imparted by the laying on of hands.BUT we also see the Holy Spirit come on men and women through other means
My Pastor was ordained as were all the other elders in our church by the laying on of hands, a commission, a sending forth by the people to go and serve the Lord.. He has told us that He was so comforted by that act as the hands and prayer confirmed the call he had felt by God..
To believe on can order the Holy Spirit to come down and impart special gifts based on our action is nothing more that the sin of pride . It is almost as prideful as believing one can lock Jesus up in a little golden box