Topical Encyclopedia
Delegation is a concept that appears throughout the Bible, reflecting the practice of entrusting authority and responsibility to others to accomplish tasks or fulfill roles. This principle is evident in both the Old and New Testaments, where leaders and figures of authority distribute duties to others to ensure effective governance, ministry, and service.
Old Testament ExamplesOne of the earliest examples of delegation is found in the account of Moses. As the leader of the Israelites, Moses faced the overwhelming task of judging the people's disputes. In
Exodus 18, Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, observed the burden Moses was carrying and advised him to delegate responsibilities. Jethro suggested appointing capable men to serve as leaders over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, allowing them to handle minor disputes while Moses focused on more significant matters. This advice is recorded in
Exodus 18:21-22 : "But select capable men from among the people—God-fearing, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain. Appoint them over the people as leaders of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. Have these men judge the people at all times. They can bring every major case to you, but decide every minor case themselves."
Another instance of delegation is seen in the organization of the Levitical priesthood. God appointed Aaron and his sons to serve as priests, while the Levites were given specific duties related to the tabernacle and its services (
Numbers 3:5-10). This division of labor ensured that the worship and sacrificial system functioned smoothly and according to God's commands.
New Testament ExamplesIn the New Testament, Jesus exemplified delegation in His ministry. He appointed the twelve apostles, giving them authority to preach, heal, and cast out demons (
Mark 3:14-15). Jesus also sent out seventy-two disciples in pairs to prepare the way for His visits to various towns, instructing them to heal the sick and proclaim the kingdom of God (
Luke 10:1-9). These acts of delegation allowed the message of the Gospel to spread more widely and effectively.
The early church also practiced delegation. In
Acts 6, the apostles faced the challenge of distributing food to widows, which was causing tension within the community. To address this, they delegated the responsibility to seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, so that the apostles could focus on prayer and the ministry of the word (
Acts 6:2-4). This decision not only resolved the issue but also contributed to the growth of the church.
Principles of DelegationThe biblical examples of delegation highlight several key principles:
1.
Selection of Qualified Individuals: Delegation requires choosing capable and trustworthy individuals who can handle the responsibilities assigned to them. This is evident in the selection of leaders in
Exodus 18 and the appointment of deacons in
Acts 6.
2.
Clear Communication of Responsibilities: Those who delegate must clearly communicate the tasks and expectations to those they are entrusting. This ensures that everyone understands their role and can perform it effectively.
3.
Empowerment and Trust: Delegation involves empowering others to act with authority and trusting them to carry out their duties. This trust is essential for effective delegation and is seen in how Jesus empowered His disciples.
4.
Focus on Core Responsibilities: Delegation allows leaders to focus on their primary responsibilities, such as Moses focusing on major disputes and the apostles dedicating themselves to prayer and teaching.
5.
Accountability: While delegation involves entrusting tasks to others, it also requires maintaining accountability to ensure that responsibilities are fulfilled according to the established standards.
In summary, delegation is a biblical principle that facilitates effective leadership and service by distributing responsibilities among qualified individuals, allowing for the efficient functioning of both religious and communal life.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The act of delegating, or investing with authority to act for another; the appointment of a delegate or delegates.
2. (n.) One or more persons appointed or chosen, and commissioned to represent others, as in a convention, in Congress, etc.; the collective body of delegates; as, the delegation from Massachusetts; a deputation.
3. (n.) A kind of notation by which a debtor, to be liberated from his creditor, gives him a third person, who becomes obliged in his stead to the creditor, or to the person appointed by him.
Greek
4242. presbeia -- age, seniority... seniority. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: presbeia Phonetic Spelling:
(pres-bi'-ah) Short Definition: an embassy,
delegation Definition: an
...Library
The Anglican and Protestant Episcopal Churches and the Orthodox...
... The Lambeth Conference of 1930 was visited by 'the most weightydelegation ever
sent by the Orthodox Eastern Church to any Western Church,' [2262] and it was...
Chapter xxxii
... Adelegation, acknowledging Esau as one entitled to receive reports about one who
is about to enter the land such adelegation may produce goodwill on the part...
General Conference of 1824
... to the other.". Among other things which engaged the attention of this
conference, was the subject of a laydelegation. This came...
The Westminster Standards in America.
... be open enemies to the Church, the ministers of Christ, of themselves, by virtue
of their office; or they, with other fit persons, upondelegation from their...
Prefatory Note.
... be found Bishop Williams's sermon preached at the commemoration in Aberdeen in October,
1884, with an account of the part which thedelegation from Connecticut...
The Bishop's Reply.
... I cannot express to you, my dear brother and my dear brethren, the thankfulness"
and I think I may speak for my brethren of thedelegation to Scotland"with...
Things which are Characteristic of Mark.
... the testimony of His forerunner to the Divine dignity of the One he had come to
herald; then we have described a visit to John of adelegation sent from...
Now There were Few Barriers Between the Emperor and the People. .....
... Now go, I beg of you, and leave me to my work.". Adelegation of Jews"petty
merchants of the Trastevere"were leaving as Vergilius entered....
Introduction
... One of these had to do with the collection of copies of Ignatius' letters and also
with thedelegation of Church representatives which Ignatius had requested...
The North Carolina Synod.
... congregations in Rowan Co. and in Mecklenburg Co., sent adelegation to England,
Holland, and Germany, asking for assistance. The result was...
Thesaurus
Delegation (5 Occurrences)... or chosen, and commissioned to represent others, as in a convention, in Congress,
etc.; the collective body of delegates; as, the
delegation from Massachusetts
...Shushan (19 Occurrences)
... See Perrot et Chipiez, Histoire de l'art dans l'antiquite, volume V, Perse, 1890;
de Morgan,Delegation en Perse (Memoires), 1900, etc.; Histoire et travaux de...
Ulai (2 Occurrences)
... LITERATURE SeeDelegation en Perse: Memoires, I, Recherches Archeologiques, 25;.
TG Pinches. Multi-Version Concordance Ulai (2 Occurrences)....
Deliberate (2 Occurrences)
Delegates (1 Occurrence)
Deputation (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The person or persons deputed or commissioned by another person, party,
or public body to act in his or its behalf;delegation; as, the general sent a...
Mission (14 Occurrences)
... a commission. 3. (n.) Persons sent; any number of persons appointed to
perform any service; adelegation; an embassy. 4. (n.) An...
Pashhur (12 Occurrences)
... side" (maghor miccabhibh) is to take the place of "stable strength" (Jeremiah
20:3). (2) Son of Melchiah, a prince of Judah, and one of thedelegation sent by...
Pashur (12 Occurrences)
... side" (maghor miccabhibh) is to take the place of "stable strength" (Jeremiah
20:3). (2) Son of Melchiah, a prince of Judah, and one of thedelegation sent by...
Code (6 Occurrences)
... of laws of King Hammurabi, and published this characteristic discovery as early
as 1902 in the official report of the expedition:Delegation en Perse (Tome IV...
Resources
Who were the Gibeonites? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Tisha B'Av? | GotQuestions.orgWhat can we learn from the tribe of Gad? | GotQuestions.orgDelegation: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
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