The theology of impartation

The word “impart “appears 4 times in the scriptures but the implication of the word is implied in many places without the word itself being used.

First mention of the word – Job 39:17

Luke 3:11 – let him impart

Rom 1:11, 1 These 2:8

The word “impart “or “impartation “is from the Greek “Metadidomi “and it means to “hand over or give over“

It implies the sharing or transfer of an item or spiritual abilities from one person to the other.

In the 4 times the word impart is used we find that it is used three times to refer to non-physical tangibility which are “understanding “, spiritual gift, our souls.

So we see three main things that comes with impartation or that word in scriptures

1. Understanding.
2. Spiritual gift
3. Mindset, Response and lifestyle

Understanding.

The most important thing a believer requires after salvation is an understanding of what has been for him in Christ. If he lacks this understanding there will be a limitation in what he can achieve.

Eph 1:17-20, Eph 3:15-19

In these two chapters, there are words used her e that relate with understanding and knowledge.

Comprehend – katalambano. This means to eagerly seize something! He is saying that as a believer you should eagerly seize or possess knowledge! He is praying that this is YOU!

To know – Ginosko – This means to understand.

So a man is filled with all the fullness of God by understanding!!

See also in Eph 1

Understanding-diaonia- the faculty of the mind

May know – eido – This refers to being aware. Being conscious of the facts!

So where it concerns impartation of understanding, the focus is in the faculty of the mind. For it is by the mind men receive knowledge.

This knowledge is imparted.

2Tim 2:2, Acts 18:24-26

A Man’s knowledge is determined by who he learns from and what is handed over to him.

Spiritual Gift.

This is the most popular and most sought after. It usually occurs by one man laying hands on another for transfer of spiritual ability. Also used to transfer spiritual gifts is words.

We see examples in the Old Testament

Isaac to Jacob – Genesis 27:24-30 (words)

Jacob to Manasseh and Ephraim – Genesis 48:13-15

Moses to Joshua – Deut 34:9

Elisha to Elijah 1kings 19:19,2kings 2:13-18

One major thing to see where impartation is concerned is that this transfer doesn’t happen without a relationship.

There is no single place where a man was imparted with spirituals where he didn’t have a current, ongoing relationship with the person who imparted him. We have no single example.

Elisha – Elijah example.

There is a difference between “activations “and receiving a portion of ministry GRACE

Let’s examine the request of Elisha.

2 kings 2:9 – A double portion of thy spirit.

He was asking to be the lead prophet who takes Elijah’s place. He was asking to stand in Elijah’s office.

There is laying on of hands for spiritual activation but there is a laying hand to ordain a man into Ministry work. A man can flow in the things of the spirit and not yet have been ordained to stand in any office. If he mimics an office because he flows in gifts he will find that what accompanies that office will not accompany him.

Elisha was asking for ordination into Elijah office and not asking for just spiritual activation. For he already was a son of the prophet. He was activated in the prophetic already hence he knew that Elijah was leaving.

There is always a period of time between when God calls a man and when he is sent off to fulfil what God has called him to do .

Calling and ordination to fulfil the call are not the same.

We see this in the lives of the following men. They were called but weren’t sent immediately into their assignment.

1. David
2. Paul
3. Elisha
4. Moses
5. Samuel
6. Jesus

There is always a period of learning before being sent forth!

Impartation goes hand in glove with associating with one who already stands in an office for it is that fellow that has the spiritual authority to ORDAIN you into ministry giving to you or handing over a ministerial portion to YOU.

Now there are different kinds of people God calls.

We have:

1. Pioneers – They are sent to start a work or emphasize a forgotten truth or promise – Moses, Paul. Pioneers are apostolic in what they do in that they are sent to seemingly blaze a trail or start a work.
2. Partners – This category is called alongside pioneers to achieve a particular purpose. God never calls a pioneer without a partner called alongside with him e.g. Moses, Aaron, Miriam, Hur then Paul, Barnabas and Silas.
3. Waterers – These ones don’t plant a church but are sent by God to establish what has been planted. They don’t begin but ensure that what has begun thrives and doesn’t die e.g. Apollos
4. Sons and Associates – These arise as a result of the mentorship of ministry gifts. They are partners after they are sons. E.g. Timothy, Titus to Paul.

When you get called into the ministry by the lord, it is imperative to get clarity on what the call is and be trained for it.

Training in the call you are called into is very important. Don’t just run off and try to fulfil that call without any training and deeper understanding as to what exactly you have been called to do.

It is in the training process that you receive important clarity and then you are sent to the work by ordination.

I hope this helps?