Impartation

<<transfer>>

This is the act of giving or sharing something. Wisdom, spiritual gifts, material goods and especially the message of the gospel can all be imparted or conveyed to others (Rom 1:11; Eph 4:28; 1 Thes 2:8; 1 Tim 6:18). While it is desirable to share with others what God has given us,

Do I share about God’s attitudes and activity or my own?

the focus and credit must always be on the divine giver, not any human involvement. God can give sovereignly or through a fellow believer (Num 11:16,17,24,25; Rom 1:11,12).

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).

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

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

Holy Spirit coming 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).