Expert: Elder Greg Madden - 11/26/2006

Question
Can you impart anointings of your spiritual gifts to someone else if they ask you to?  If not , what did the laying on of hands in the early church do for believers?

Answer
Marsha,

Thank you for your question. The Bible teaches us that the gifts of the Spirit are given to Believers by the Spirit Himself, and are subject to His dispersal.

1 Cor. 12:4
Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.  
12:5
And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.  
12:6
And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.  
12:7
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal
12:11
But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

I can find no Scripture evidence of one of these spiritual gifts being imparted from one believer to another. But as these Scriptures teach, it is the Spirit that gives them as He wills.
However, the Bible does teaches us that believers can impart spiritual callings, anointings, and the Baptism of the Holy Ghost.

1 Tim. 4:14
Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

The word gift here is defined as "...denoting extraordinary powers, distinguishing certain Christians and enabling them to serve the church of Christ, the reception of which is due to the power of divine grace operating on their souls by the Holy Spirit"

Acts 8:17
Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Acts 19:6
And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Please let me know if this helps, or if you have any further questions.
Elder Greg Madden