In the context of the Bible, the concept of delegates can be understood as individuals appointed or chosen to represent others, often in matters of governance, religious duties, or specific missions. The role of delegates is evident throughout both the Old and New Testaments, where individuals are selected to carry out tasks on behalf of a larger group or authority.

Old Testament Examples

1. Moses and the Seventy Elders: In the wilderness, Moses faced the overwhelming task of leading and judging the people of Israel. To alleviate this burden, God instructed him to appoint seventy elders to assist in governing the people. Numbers 11:16-17 states, "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Bring Me seventy of Israel’s elders who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people. Have them come to the Tent of Meeting, that they may stand there with you. I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take of the Spirit that is on you and put the Spirit on them. They will help you bear the burden of the people, so that you do not have to bear it by yourself.'"

2. Tribal Leaders: Throughout the journey to the Promised Land, each tribe of Israel had leaders who acted as delegates for their respective tribes. These leaders were responsible for conveying the needs and concerns of their people to Moses and later to Joshua.

New Testament Examples

1. The Apostles: Jesus appointed the twelve apostles as His delegates to spread the Gospel and establish the early Church. They were given authority to teach, heal, and perform miracles in His name. In Mark 3:14-15 , it is written, "He appointed twelve of them, whom He designated as apostles, to accompany Him, to be sent out to preach, and to have authority to drive out demons."

2. The Seventy-Two: In addition to the twelve apostles, Jesus appointed seventy-two others to go ahead of Him to every town and place He was about to visit. Luke 10:1 records, "After this, the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of Him to every town and place He was about to visit."

3. The Jerusalem Council: In Acts 15, the early Church faced a significant theological dispute regarding the necessity of circumcision for Gentile converts. Delegates, including Paul and Barnabas, were sent to Jerusalem to discuss the matter with the apostles and elders. Acts 15:2 states, "So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question."

Role and Significance

Delegates in the Bible served crucial roles in maintaining order, conveying messages, and executing tasks that required representation and authority. They were often chosen based on their wisdom, faithfulness, and ability to lead. The appointment of delegates reflects the biblical principle of shared leadership and the importance of community involvement in decision-making processes.

Spiritual Implications

The use of delegates underscores the importance of accountability and stewardship in leadership. Delegates were expected to act in accordance with God's will and the instructions of those who appointed them. This concept is mirrored in the Church today, where leaders and representatives are chosen to serve and guide the congregation in spiritual and administrative matters.

Account of the Eighty Pious Delegates in Nicomedia, whom Valens ...
... Book VI. Chapter XIV."Account of the Eighty Pious Delegates in Nicomedia,
whom Valens burned with the Vessel in Mid-Sea. The Arians ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter xiv account of the eighty.htm

Book vi
... General Conference of 1832; number and names of delegates; address of the bishops;
report on missions; on education; Bible, Sunday School, and Tract Societies ...
/.../bangs/a history of the methodist episcopal church volume iv/book vi.htm

The Older Boys' Conference or Congress
... St. James' Square Presbyterian Church=, Gerrard St., between Yonge and Church Sts.
2:00 PM Registration of Delegates. ... Alexander. 6:15 PM Supper for Delegates. ...
/.../alexander/the boy and the sunday school/xiii the older boys conference.htm

Letter Lxxx. (To Anatolius, Bishop of Constantinople. )
... II. The penitents among the backsliding bishops are to be received back into full
communion upon some plan to be settled by Anatolius and Leo's delegates. ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/letter lxxx to anatolius bishop.htm

Muhlenberg's Hierarchical Tendencies.
... The lay delegates, consisting of the elders of the congregations, merely reported
to Synod, when asked, concerning the work, fidelity, and efficiency of their ...
/.../bente/american lutheranism/muhlenbergs hierarchical tendencies.htm

Letter Lxxxv. To Anatolius, Bishop of Constantinople.
... I. Anatolius with Leo's delegates is to settle the question of the receiving
back of those who had temporarily gone astray after Eutyches. ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/letter lxxxv to anatolius bishop.htm

Henry Melchior Muhlenberg.
... sermon. Then, the lay delegates standing in a semicircle about the altar,
Provost Sandin and the four German pastors ordained Kurtz. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bente/american lutheranism/henry melchior muhlenberg.htm

The Secondary Division or Teen Age Boys' Crusade
... outline carefully the plan of the Conference and Crusade, enlist their cooperation,
secure from each man present a promise to see that delegates are sent from ...
/.../alexander/the boy and the sunday school/xiv the secondary division or.htm

Superseded Lutheran Symbols. The Saxon Confession. The Wurtemberg ...
... The German Emperor had previously (Feb.13) invited the Protestant States to send
delegates, promising them full protection, and his best endeavor to secure 'a ...
/.../ 47 superseded lutheran symbols.htm

Sermon at the Faribault Celebration of the Centennial of the ...
... On the 5th of September, 1774, fifty-five delegates, from eleven colonies, met in
Smith's tavern, Philadelphia, and at the invitation of the carpenters of that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/whipple/five sermons/ii sermon at the faribault.htm

Delegates (1 Occurrence)
...Delegates (1 Occurrence). ... And as for our brethren, remember that they are delegates
from the Churches, and are men in whom Christ is glorified. (WEY). ...
/d/delegates.htm - 6k

Delegation (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of delegating, or investing with authority
to act for another; the appointment of a delegate or delegates. ...
/d/delegation.htm - 8k

Labours (19 Occurrences)
... you. And as for our brethren, remember that they are delegates from the
Churches, and are men in whom Christ is glorified. (WEY). ...
/l/labours.htm - 12k

Dionysia
... The city of Athens sent delegates regularly to attend the festival. There were also
Dionysiac clubs in Athens at the time of the Peloponnesian War. ...
/d/dionysia.htm - 10k

Delectable (2 Occurrences)

/d/delectable.htm - 7k

Province (66 Occurrences)
... The emperor administered his provinces through the agency of personal delegates,
legati Augusti of senatorial, and praefecti or procuratores of equestrian, rank ...
/p/province.htm - 38k

Comrade (9 Occurrences)
... you. And as for our brethren, remember that they are delegates from the
Churches, and are men in whom Christ is glorified. (WEY). ...
/c/comrade.htm - 9k

Convention (1 Occurrence)
... persons, esp. of delegates or representatives, to accomplish some specific
object, -- civil, social, political, or ecclesiastical. 4 ...
/c/convention.htm - 7k

Collection (7 Occurrences)
... Therefore, he planned it carefully long in advance; urged systematic, weekly savings
for it; had delegates carefully chosen to take it to Jerusalem; and, in ...
/c/collection.htm - 11k

Asiarch
... Brandis has shown that they were not "high priests of Asia," as some have thought,
but delegates of individual cities to the provincial Council (Commune Asioe ...
/a/asiarch.htm - 8k

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