“The Dominion of Delegation"
Acts 6:1-15

“Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases.” [Luke 9:1]

Acts 6 fulfills a spiritual principle that Jesus practiced in Luke 9: Delegation. The Apostles delegated “seven men of good reputation,” to help in the work of the ministry. They followed the Lord’s blueprint for ministry.

The challenge, however, is that delegating is difficult for us who like control. It takes more faith to delegate, less to control. Was Jesus the former or latter? That’s a difficult question to answer, after all He is in control of all things as fully God. But He also lived by faith on this earth as fully Man.

You cannot ignore the fact that Jesus had faith in His disciples. He sent them out and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases and to preach the kingdom of God. They were delegated power and authority and yet made mistakes.

But notice how their delegation led to multiplication. In the feeding of the Five Thousand, loaves and fish were multiplied when Jesus gave them to the Twelve. Jesus could have fed the multitude Himself. As in the days of Moses, He could have brought in an east wind of quail or rained down manna from heaven. He chose, however, to distribute through disciples. What a great lesson on the dominion of delegation.

“It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you, but if I depart, I will send Him to you.” [John 16:7] Jesus gives disciples the Holy Spirit, and in so doing He deputizes them for ministry.

We must encourage others to respond to the Spirit’s leading on service. There can be unity in diversity within a local fellowship that results in powerful ministry. 

And while others may not be led [and gifted] to do ministry like you and I, nonetheless they should be encouraged to serve in the way that God has led them. 

Methods of ministry can [and should] vary. Should worship be contemporary or formal hymns? Teaching, topical or expository? Evangelism; crusades or one-on-one, street or friendship? It really should be “all the above!”

That is why God’s dominion of delegation is an important work in the church. Delegation is the foreword for unity in diversity, a powerful Spirit-filled work of expansion.