1 Timothy 4:14 “Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.” (see also 2 Timothy 1:6 “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands,”)

Huh? Can elders give gifts of the Spirit to people?

In short, no. Let’s examine Scripture.

Timothy’s gift was leadership with an emphasis on preaching and teaching (1 Timothy 4:6, 11, 13; 2 Timothy 4:2)

• Identified by a revelation from God and apostolic confirmation. (1 Timothy 1:18)
• Greek word for “previously made” literally means “leading the way to” implying a series of prophecies given from God about Timothy in connection with his spiritual gifts and calling.
• Apostolic confirmation probably when he joined Paul on his second missionary journey (Acts 16:1-3).

“When the elders laid their hands on you”

• 1 Timothy 5:22 “Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.” This phrase is referring to a public ceremony that affirmed a man’s suitability for and acceptance into public ministry as a pastor/elder/overseer
• Came from OT practice of laying hands on a sacrificial animal to identify with it (Exodus 29:10, 15, 19; Leviticus 4:15; Numbers 8:10, 27:18-23; Deuteronomy 34:9; Acts 8:17-18, 9:17; Hebrews 6:2).
• The laying on of hands was a public affirmation of Timothy’s call to ministry.

Thus his ministry was confirmed subjectively (by means of his spiritual gifts, which only the Holy Spirit gives), objectively (through the revelation from God in a prophecy about him), and collectively (by the affirmation of the church, represented by the elders).

The Bible is explicitly clear: the Holy Spirit is the One who gives gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4-11, especially verse 11), not people. These verses are not teaching otherwise.