The idea of impartation is linked to the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the enabling of spiritual gifts, and the laying on of hands. The objective of this blog is to explain the commonalities, the differences, and how they are all related. Paul uses the word in his letter to the Romans:
For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you – that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.
The term impart is used to describe a transference or an awakening of a spiritual gift from the Holy Spirit. Looking back at Pentecost, we see the gift of tongues prominently displayed, which manifests once the apostles are filled with the Holy Spirit. There is a direct connection between the apostles being baptized in the Holy Spirit and the spiritual gift of tongues being received or activated. Spiritual gifts originate from and are expressions of the Holy Spirit:
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
There is commonality between the baptism of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost in Acts 2 with the story of Cornelius and later Paul laying on hands at Ephesus, most notably the use of tongues once they are filled with the Spirit:
While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God.
And [Paul] said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.
Although common, and not required as demonstrated by Pentecost and Cornelius, the laying on of hands is linked with the enabling of spiritual gifts through the Holy Spirit. Paul tells Timothy:
Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.
Paul says something similar in his second letter to Timothy:
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands …
Even Simon the sorcerer understood the connection between the laying on of hands and the baptism of the Holy Spirit:
Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
The best summary and explanation I can muster is this:
- Spiritual gifts are given by the Holy Spirit
- Baptism of the Holy Spirit is connected to the enabling of spiritual gifts
- The name impartation is the term to describe the concept
My prayer for you:
Jesus please baptize us in your Holy Spirit! We ask for spiritual gifts; please strengthen a gift or activate a new one in us. We ask that you would pour our your power and Spirit on us that we can serve you. We give you all the glory, in Jesus’ name amen!
You may also be interested in this sermon from Randy Clark on impartation: