Excerpt from: The Power of Touch: Divine Impartation Through Touch, by Dr. Eva S. Benevento, 2015.
On Impartation
With the exception of the verb form in Romans 1:11 and Luke 3:11 in some translations, the word “impartation” (impart—metadidomi in Greek, meaning to share) is not found in Scripture, just as words like Sunday School, mysticism, church boards, and missionary are also not specifically found in Scripture. Nevertheless, biblical texts, church tradition, and theological grounding support the conceptual meaning and use of these words in church life. Impartation, a commonly used term in contemporary Charismatic, Pentecostal, and Third Wave circles, is relatively new and carries meaning more than simple sharing.
In recent years, “impartation” is a word commonly used in Charismatic circles used to describe such spiritual activity and Charismatic experiences as the receiving of healing, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, receiving blessing, receiving spiritual gifts and anointings, prophetic experiences, and receiving commissioning for service or ordination. Earlier groups were more likely to refer to the experience of impartation with words like visitation, blessing, baptism, filling, and encounter. Regardless of the term used, the concept is that the believer experiences God in a personal and distinct way that is different from how they communicate with the divine in their usual prayer and worship. It is an experience whereby from God to the person, sometimes through the ministry of another person whose prayer and imposition of hands act as a transfer agent.
In Hebrews 6:2, the writer of Hebrews specifically describes the “laying on of hands” as an elementary doctrine (translated as “teaching” in some versions). Although impartation per se is not listed as an elementary doctrine in Hebrews 6:2, impartation is inseparable from the laying on of hands doctrine. Impartation is the underlying motive and reason for the practice when hands are imposed, whether it is for blessing, sacramental impartation, empowerment, infilling, or healing. It is the release of the intended purpose in facilitating the transference of the anticipated blessing.
The laying on of hands is the physical action that involves humans interacting with each other; and the impartation is the spiritual action that involves the Holy Spirit interacting with humans at the same time. One may view this as an effective three-way participation among God, the person imposing hands, and the recipient. Impartation can occur with or without imposition of hands, but the laying on of hands serves God’s purpose when used, even if viewed as nothing more than symbolic of the transference.
For Christians, the words, deeds, and instructions of Jesus and the apostles under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in Scripture are paramount. New Testament examples of the impartation of blessing, healing, and spiritual gifts in the life of Jesus and the apostles are numerous. Several events in the ministry of Jesus give examples of where Jesus imposed His hands to bless people or heal the sick. Jesus’ injunctions of Mark 16:15–18 that include the imposition of hands given just prior to His Ascension were not simply parting words of suggestion. They have clarity and intentionality to be taken seriously and literally. By the nature of the relationship, disciples follow the life examples and words of their master and teacher, and so we too lay hands on people for impartations of blessing and healing.
Copyright 2015 by Eva S. Benevento. All Rights Reserved.
Photo by: Ricardo Gomez Angel, unsplash.com