Introduction
As believers in Jesus Christ, we recognize the importance of understanding the various ways that God imparts wisdom, revelation, and spiritual gifts to His people. Throughout the Bible, we find multiple instances of impartation—God’s act of transferring spiritual knowledge, abilities, or blessings from one person to another. It is important for us to explore the different ways in which this transfer occurs, so we can better understand how God desires to work in our lives and through our relationships with others.
In this blog post, we will examine several types of impartation found in the Bible, with a focus on the New King James Version (NKJV). By examining these different forms of impartation, we will gain a more comprehensive understanding of how God operates in the lives of His people and the role impartation plays in the overall life of the believer. This knowledge will empower us to become more effective in our own Christian walk and in our service to others.
Impartation through the Laying on of Hands
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One of the most common types of impartation in the Bible is through the laying on of hands. This practice is often used to confer a blessing, commission someone for ministry, or transfer a spiritual gift.
For example, in the Old Testament, Moses laid his hands on Joshua to commission him as the new leader of Israel (Numbers 27:18-23, NKJV). This impartation transferred some of Moses’ authority and the spirit of wisdom to Joshua, empowering him to lead the nation. In the New Testament, the apostles laid their hands on believers to impart the Holy Spirit and various spiritual gifts, as seen in Acts 8:17 (NKJV): “Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.”
The laying on of hands is still practiced in many Christian traditions today, especially for ordination and the impartation of spiritual gifts.
Impartation through Prophetic Utterance
Another form of impartation is through prophetic utterance. God often used prophets in the Bible to deliver His message and to impart specific knowledge, insight, or spiritual gifts to His people.
For example, in 1 Timothy 4:14 (NKJV), Paul reminds Timothy of the gift he received through a prophetic word: “Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.” In this case, the prophetic word, accompanied by the laying on of hands, served as a means of impartation of a spiritual gift to Timothy.
Prophetic impartation can also occur without the laying on of hands. In Acts 21:10-11 (NKJV), the prophet Agabus prophesied to Paul about his impending arrest, imparting knowledge of future events: “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'”
Impartation through Teaching and Instruction
Impartation can also take place through teaching and instruction. Throughout the Bible, God has used individuals to teach and instruct others, imparting wisdom and knowledge.
In the Old Testament, we find numerous examples of teaching and instruction as a means of impartation, such as Moses instructing the Israelites in the ways of the Lord (Exodus 18:19-20, NKJV). In the New Testament, Jesus Himself is our greatest example of a teacher who imparts wisdom and revelation to His disciples (Matthew 5-7, NKJV).
The Apostle Paul also demonstrates the importance of teaching and instruction as a form of impartation. In 2 Timothy 2:2 (NKJV), Paul writes to Timothy, “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” This verse highlights the importance of passing on spiritual knowledge and wisdom through teaching and instruction, creating a ripple effect of impartation throughout the generations of believers.
Impartation through Prayer
Prayer is another powerful means of impartation in the Bible. Through prayer, believers can ask God to impart specific blessings, wisdom, or spiritual gifts to themselves or others.
In Ephesians 1:17-18 (NKJV), the Apostle Paul prays for the Ephesian believers, asking God to impart wisdom and revelation to them: “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened.” Through prayer, Paul is asking God to impart spiritual wisdom and understanding to the believers in Ephesus.
Similarly, in Colossians 1:9-10 (NKJV), Paul prays for the believers in Colossae, asking God to fill them with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding: “For this reason we also…do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.” This passage demonstrates the power of prayer as a means of impartation.
Impartation through the Holy Spirit
Lastly, the Holy Spirit plays a central role in impartation in the Bible. As the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit imparts spiritual gifts, guidance, and empowerment to believers.
In Acts 2:1-4 (NKJV), we read about the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the believers, imparting spiritual gifts and the ability to speak in other languages: “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” This event marks a significant moment in the early church, as the Holy Spirit empowered believers for ministry and mission.
Furthermore, the Holy Spirit imparts guidance and direction to believers. In Acts 16:6-7 (NKJV), we read that the Holy Spirit prevented Paul and his companions from preaching in certain regions, directing them instead towards Macedonia. This guidance from the Holy Spirit demonstrates another form of impartation, as the Spirit provides wisdom and direction to believers.
Conclusion
As we conclude our exploration of the types of impartation in the Bible, we can see that God uses a variety of means to transfer spiritual blessings, gifts, and knowledge to His people. These methods include the laying on of hands, prophetic utterance, teaching and instruction, prayer, and the work of the Holy Spirit.
Understanding these different types of impartation can help us to recognize the ways that God is at work in our own lives and the lives of others. As we grow in our relationship with Christ and seek to serve Him, we can be confident that God will use impartation to equip and empower us for His purposes.
As we seek to follow God’s guidance in our lives and minister to others, let us be open to the various ways He imparts His blessings, gifts, and wisdom. By understanding and embracing the different types of impartation found in the Bible, we can grow in our faith, deepen our relationship with God, and effectively serve those around us, ultimately advancing His Kingdom on earth.
