Impartation

<<transfer>>

This is the act of giving or sharing something.

God uses a variety of means to work in, and transfer spiritual blessings, gifts, wisdom and knowledge to His people to equip and empower for His purposes. These methods include the laying on of hands, prophetic utterance, teaching and instruction, prayer, and the work

Do I 'share' God with others?

of the Holy Spirit. The impartation of spiritual gifts is essential for the growth and maturity of the church (1 Cor 12:4-7). Material goods and the message of the gospel can also be imparted or conveyed to others (Eph 4:28; 1 Thes 2:8; 1 Tim 6:18). While it is desirable to share with others what God has given us, the focus and credit must always be on the divine giver, not any human involved who is only a channel through which the blessing is transferred.

Sometimes God can give or work sovereignly (Num 11:16,17,24,25). However, mostly God uses others in the body of Christ and various ministries “for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry” (Eph 4:11,12). Paul desired to see others develop effective Holy Spirit ministry, giving away from himself those things God had placed within him, “For I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift…” (Rom 1:11,12). He was not content with just having a powerful personal ministry but understood he could replicate or equip others through impartation of spiritual gifts, healings and greater infilling of the Holy Spirit. Jesus passed on to His disciples what He had; He gave delegated authority to do as He did (Mt 10:1, 28:19,20; Mk 16:17,18). Peter said to a crippled man who was begging for money, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, walk…He jumped to his feet and began to walk” (Act 3:6,8). As believers we should be walking in health, victory and the joy of the Lord so we can impart or give away from the storehouse within to bless hurting humanity (Jn 7:38).

Jesus imparted a blessing to children and healing to those sick in body (Mk 10:13-16; Lk 4:40,41). To a crippled beggar, Peter said, “Money I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus, walk” and the man jumped to his feet praising God (Act 3:2,6-8). Although God works through human channels it is crucial to continually recognise it is not by our own power or godliness that there is a demonstration of His life transforming power (Zech 4:6; Act 3:12,16). The streams of living water that Jesus said would flow from His followers is the work of the Holy Spirit, bringing blessing to those around us (Jn 7:38). Do I encounter God and see Him working through my life? It is essential to be godly, sensitive and obedient to the Spirit's leading.

Jesus “appointed the disciples that He might send them out to preach and drive out demons” and later said various signs would be evident in the lives of His followers, using the authority invested in His name to give divine release to suffering humanity (Mk 3:13-15, 16:17,18). As an obedient believer Ananias was able to impart healing to Saul through restoration of his sight (Act 9:17-20).

Prayer is asking God to intervene in people’s lives and impart some of the riches of heaven into their situation and provide strength to enable them to accomplish God’s call on their lives. This is often actioned through the ‘laying on of hands’ and may include extra infillings of the Holy Spirit coming

Do I pass on to others the blessings I have received from the Lord?

on believers (Act 8:15,17). As we mix with others we can transmit the attitudes and emotional state within, yet as we can’t give out what we don’t have, it is essential to be continually full of the Spirit so we can give the favour of heaven generously into the lives of hurting humanity (Eph 5:18).

Note: impartation and imputation are sometimes confused. Righteousness, is not imparted, it is imputed – meaning it is credited to the account
of another. For example, “Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness” (Rom 4:3,20-22).