Imparting the Holy Spirit

To impart means to give a part or share. When given a gift from the Holy Spirit, we are to impart that gift to others.

Example: When the Holy Spirit gives a word of knowledge or wisdom we are to impart them to others as He intended.

But can we impart the Holy Spirit to others? This question was foremost after reading what God said to Moses.

“I will take of the Spirit that is upon you and will put the same upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone.” (Numbers 11:17)

While there are instances of the Holy Spirit in operation in the Old Testament, the work of the Holy Spirit, while the same, is different in application in God’s new covenant relationship with us. While God gave the Holy Spirit to various individuals to fulfill His work, to us He gives the Holy Spirit without measure.

We’ve been given the fullness of the Holy Spirit when we come to belief, and God no longer needs to siphon some off to give to others. Instead He gives freely the Holy Spirit to all who ask.

Jesus said, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.” (Luke 11:13)

And while we have been given the fullness of the Holy Spirit upon belief, there’s a further impartation waiting. Right before He ascended into heaven Jesus commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, where they would be endued with God’s heavenly power. (Acts 1:4-8; Luke 24:49)

And so, while we can’t impart the Holy Spirit, God imparts the Holy Spirit in a larger and more complete way as He pours the Holy Spirit out through the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.