Winter 1990

The Power of Impartation
Wade E Taylor

"Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence" Matt19:13-15.

Many consider bigger to be better. Because of this, pastors are asked, "How many people do you have?" However, Jesus placed a special emphasis on the small, rather than on the large. He said that we are to "Suffer little children and forbid them not."

This word "suffer" has a different meaning than the one commonly understood in our day. It means "to permit." Jesus placed great value on that which has potential, even though it appears to have no present value. "Permit little children ... to come unto me."

"And he laid his hands on them." This laying on of hands speaks of "spiritual impartation." Even though these children did not have a present capacity to understand, Jesus was able to impart into them an impartation of Spirit that would unfold and surface at a later time. A ministry that includes this personal "laying on of hands" is of great spiritual value.

In the mega-churches of our day, this is not possible. Each individual becomes part of a "corporate person" and looses his personal identity. In smaller meetings, each individual becomes important. The minister is able to sense the spiritual hunger and receptivity of each person and minister to their individual need. This personal touch is lost when the "corporate person "becomes the dominant factor and the individual is lost in the crowd.

Jesus laid His hands upon each individual child to whom He gave singular attention. This time of personal attention accomplishes much. There have been prayer lines in which an individual received this personal attention, their deep inner needs being met. Then, the minister looked up and saw a very long line. This provoked him to say, "It is not possible to pray for each of you, please form a line and I will touch each of you, as you go by." This is good, but something of great value has been lost.

When a minister is able to spend relaxed time at the altar with each individual who has needs, many hindrances to their spiritual growth are removed. Now, these are able to receive an impartation of the Spirit that brings healing, deliverance, and edification. When a minister personally lays anointed hands upon an individual, he has truly ministered to that person. People know when a minister takes a genuine interest in them and they feel the impartation that they receive.

Jesus laid his hands upon each of these children who, in child like faith, came to Him. Later He said (to us), "Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven" Matt 18:3. Jesus is saying that we are to come to Him with the same child-like faith and trust that these children had, if we expect to receive a personal impartation from Him.

Paul said to Timothy, "Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands" 2 Tim 1:6. Impartation is essential for spiritual growth.

A primary means of impartation is through the laying on of hands. This requires an environment in which adequate time is available for each one that is being ministered to. It requires that the one who is doing the laying on of hands be anointed and have within them a reservoir of spiritual life. This requires that the one doing the "laying on of hands" first spend extended times of "waiting upon the Lord" to receive of His life and power.

The laying on of hands should result in a spiritual impartation from one who has a quality spiritual experience, to one who is spiritually needy. Some years ago I attended a convention where a minister who has a well known writing ministry was present. After a long evening meeting, I asked him if he would put his hands on me and pray for me. I wanted an impartation of his ability to express on paper, the Word of God. It was quite late and he told me that I was not being considerate. I explained that I edited the Banner and desperately needed an impartation of his anointed ability.

He put his hands on me and began to pray. When he did, the power of God started to flow and he became excited as the Lord imparted from his ability to my need. Then, he apologized for his reluctance and invited me to come to his Church and minister. I gained much from that experience.

An essential ingredient of impartation is having a personal concern for the one being prayed for. Have you ever talked to someone whom you felt was not interested in your need? True ministry requires our being concerned with the needs of another. Impartation is more than just some kind of a "power" that is felt. It involves a flow of love, a genuine interest in the needs of another. When your hands are laid on another in ministry, it should include the warmth of your heart and your genuine interest.

"Permit the little children." You may say, they will not understand as they are too little. However, Jesus, with profound truth moving within Him, allowed these little children to receive from Him. His disciples were quick to remind Him that He was too important a person to be bothered by children. Yet He responded by laying His hands upon them. Then He told these same disciples that they had to become like these small children, if they intended to enter His Kingdom.

There is no further record of these children. Were we able to find them twenty years later, we would find strong Christians who had a deep personal knowledge of their Lord. We little realize the power of impartation.

For most of us, who have little ability to preach, and difficulty in our finding expression for the things of God we have seen and heard in some measure of the Spirit. We are further faced with personal lack when as part of the demands of the ministry we find ourselves being called upon to personally lay hands on those in need -- this can be tremendous challenge.

True spiritual impartation, through the laying on of sanctified hands, is effective when we have taken time to receive from the Lord and then impart of that which we have received, to those who are in need. "For of such is the Kingdom of Heaven."