The Principle of Reproduction

Reproduction Defined 

The Principle of Reproduction has to do with multiplying the ministry. Those who minister to others are called to call others to minister to still more others. As Christians, we are to follow the command of God and multiply, filling the whole earth. We are called to make Christ-like disciples among the nations, teaching them to walk as Jesus walked. We are to bring other people into the Kingdom. 

Reproduction Modeled in the Life of Jesus 

This principle was demonstrated in the life of Jesus. He called his disciples to go out and make other disciples. This is seen when Jesus sends out the twelve into the surrounding countryside, it is seen when Jesus sends out the seventy into Judea, and it is further seen in the Great Commission given at the end of the synoptic Gospels and the beginning of the book of Acts. Jesus said to his disciples just before he ascended into heaven, “Go into all the world and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” These are the last recorded words of Christ before he ascended back to the Father, and the Christian community is to take his instructions very seriously.

Jesus did not just tell his disciples to reproduce. He told them that he would go with them and would go before them. Matthew records that after Jesus spoke these words to them, he said, “And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.” Jesus will go with us in our disciple-making journey, and he is already ahead of us as well, even at the end of the age.

Matthew also records that right before Jesus gave his disciples these instructions he said to them that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him. He then turns to them and gives them this authority and instructs them to make disciples of all the nations, etc. The authority of Jesus has been given to the church to make disciples. Jesus even said that the church would do greater things than the miracles he himself had performed on earth.

The Principle of Supervision

Supervision Defined 

This principle may be defined as making sure that your protégé stays on the right track. When you are a leader in ministry, you will have people serving under you. When you delegate different responsibilities to them you will need to check up on them and make sure they understand what they are doing and why. You need to be available to answer their questions. You do not need to be always peering over their shoulder, but you ought to keep close enough distance to them so that you intervene in case anything goes wrong. Also, you should be there for them in order to encourage them and let them know when they have got it exactly right. 

Supervision Modeled in the Life of Jesus 

This principle was also modeled in the life of Jesus and seen in his own ministry with his disciples. Jesus spent all kinds of time with his disciples when they were in ministry together. He supervised them. However, Jesus was not physically with them every moment of every day, even though he was very close to being with them at all times. He looked out for his disciples and may sure they did not get themselves into trouble. This is seen on various occasions. When the disciples had been arguing amongst themselves about which one of them was the greatest, Jesus stepped in later and asked them what they had been arguing about on the road. The disciples were then ashamed of themselves as Jesus pointed out to them that their priorities were in the wrong place. Working in the kingdom was not about being the greatest; it was about being a servant.

Peter also got himself into trouble on a number of occasions. When he was asked by the religious leaders whether or not Jesus paid the temple tax, he spoke for Jesus and said that of course he did. Later, Jesus went to Peter and brought his impulsive answer to his attention, pointing out the ridiculousness of God giving money to God. However, Jesus does not seem as though he wanted to embarrass Peter or to offend the religious leaders on this matter so he sent Peter out to go catch a fish which had a coin in its mouth in order to pay for Peter’s tax and his. Jesus was showing Peter that God is all-resourceful, but also that God had humbled himself and became a man for the sake of others.

When Jesus disciples had returned to him after having gone throughout the countryside preaching the good news to all who would listen, Jesus was eager to hear their report. He did not send them out on their own, but sent them out in pairs to keep each other accountable among other reasons. Also, once he had sent them out he did not disconcern himself about their mission. He wanted to hear how things had gone. When they returned to him they gave him a glorious report which he seems to have been very pleased to hear. However, he even used this as a means for teaching them. They had been amazed that the demons themselves had submitted to them. Jesus told them that rather than rejoicing that the devils had submitted to them, they should receive greater joy that their names were written in the book of life. Jesus said that he had seen Satan fall from heaven like lightning. Satan was already being defeated, so they should not have been too surprised that the demons were powerless against them.

The Principle of Delegation

Delegation Defined 

The Principle of Delegation is the idea that ministry is not something that we simply do on our own. Ministry is a group effort. With delegation one calls upon others to play a role in the ministry of the kingdom. Ministry is not meant to be a one man show, but a partnership. The task of ministry is too much for just one person. Those in a leadership role ought to recognize their own limits as well as recognize the value of input by others into their work. The Christian faith and the acts of ministry which are a part of the Christian faith are not to be carried out in isolation. Christianity as well as ministry is relational. 

Delegation Modeled in the Life of Jesus 

Jesus modeled the Principle of Delegation in his own life. Rather than taking the time to carry out every item on his agenda by himself, he asked for help, or rather he assigned various tasks for other people to perform on his behalf. This is seen especially when Jesus sends out the seventy-two into the various regions around the country in order to preach the good news of the kingdom and to heal people of diseases and to cast out demons among other tasks. Rather than going to each of these places himself Jesus stayed behind in order to work on whatever he needed to work on at the time. Instead of attempting to do the work of seventy-two different men, Jesus delegated these responsibilities out to different capable people whom he felt he could trust with these tasks.

Another example of Jesus following the Principle of Delegation can be seen in the stories of feeding of the large crowds. Jesus had his disciples go around and count how many people were present, and he also had his disciples go around and have every one sit down on the grass. He also had them distribute the food which he miraculously provided for everyone. It almost seems silly that Jesus would ask for the help of his disciples when he was powerful enough to create the food they were handing out. However, I think this goes to show that just because you are capable of doing something on your own that does not mean that you ought to do it on your own. There is great benefit for yourself and for those who help you when you ask for help.

Another example of Jesus delegating is when he sends two disciples to go find a donkey for him to ride into Jerusalem. They go and fetch it for him instead him getting it himself. Also, around this time Jesus sent Peter and John to go prepare the Passover meal for him and his disciple to eat, rather than him preparing the whole thing himself. He appears to have had every confidence in them and their ability to perform these tasks on his behalf.

The Principle of Demonstration

Demonstration Defined 

The Principle of Demonstration can be explained by saying that one must set an example in the patterns and behaviors of their own life when leading other people in ministry. If one wants to see a certain type of behavior or attitude exhibited in the lives of those who follow him, then he must be willing to display these same kinds of attitudes and behaviors in his own life. People learn by example.

Demonstration Modeled in the Life of Jesus 

Jesus modeled this principle in his own life when he spent time with his disciples. He demonstrated to his disciples a life lived in submission and obedience to the Father. His disciples followed in his example. I have been taught that Jesus was a rabbi and that rabbis chose disciples or talmudim because they believed that the ones they chose had the ability and the potential to be like them. So the rabbis would set an example for their young disciples to follow and the followers would try to be just like their leader. This idea is seen in the gospels on a number of occasions. One example is when the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, and Jesus prayed for them to show them a proper example. This is how “The Lord’s Prayer” came to be – by demonstration.

Another example is when the disciples did not fast. The Pharisees asked Jesus why his disciples did not fast like John’s disciples fasted, and Jesus told them that they could not fast while the bridegroom was with them. It would seem that it was customary for rabbis to have their disciples fast on occasion. However, Jesus led his disciples in this a bit differently. His disciples followed his example.

Another example of this idea is seen when Jesus is walking on the water across the lake and Peter calls out to him asking to walk to him on the water. Peter saw his rabbi walking on the water and he wanted to be just like his rabbi, so he asked Jesus to call out to him to come and follow him out of the boat and onto the water. This is yet another example of Jesus leading by demonstration. There are many other examples throughout the gospels as well.

The Principle of Impartation

Impartation Defined 

The Principle of Impartation may be defined by stating that if one has a desire to live a life in ministry to others one must carry the Spirit of Christ within themselves. In ministry, one gives the Spirit of Christ to others, in a sense, and one can only give the Spirit of Christ to someone else if they have the Spirit of Christ themselves. In impartation, those who come into contact with the one in the position of ministry should be aware that this individual has the Spirit of Christ within them. 

Impartation Modeled in the Life of Jesus 

In the life of Jesus, one may see this Principle of Impartation put into practice. Jesus was God, so naturally when his followers spent time with him they were in a very real sense spending time with God. However, Jesus was not only God. He was also a human living with the Holy Spirit inside of him, the very Spirit of God. Jesus also imparted the Spirit to his disciples in a human way as well, not just as God. There is evidence in the New Testament that Jesus was a man who was filled with the Holy Spirit of God. At Jesus’ baptism, it is recorded that the Spirit of God came down from heaven in the form of a dove and landed upon Jesus. This was a sign that the Spirit of God was present with Jesus and it showed that he had God’s approval and authority. Evidence of the Spirit in Christ is also seen when Jesus is at the synagogue in Nazareth and he reads from the scroll “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” This idea portrays the impartation of the Spirit as a sort of anointing. Jesus had been anointed by God’s Spirit to proclaim good news.

Later in the gospels, Jesus anoints his disciples to proclaim this good news as well. This is seen especially in the great commission. Jesus also gave them of his own Spirit so that they would not be afraid and would be able to complete the task he had given them. This is seen in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples in the second chapter of Acts, but it is also seen before Christ’s ascension when he breathes his Spirit onto them. It is also recorded that after his resurrection Jesus appeared to the disciples and breathed on them and told them to receive his Spirit. He said this even to those who doubted.

The Principle of Consecration

Consecration Defined 

The Principle of Consecration may be defined by living in obedience to Christ. Christ called his followers to obey him and in our submission to the will of Christ and in our obedience to him we live out the Principle of Consecration. In consecration is seen devotion. We must devote ourselves to Christ, to his salvation, to his life, and to his purposes. 

Consecration Modeled in the Life of Jesus 

The Principle of Consecration is seen in the life of Jesus in that he called his disciples to absolute loyalty to him. His disciples were committed to following Jesus wherever he went, even to the grave, though they often fell short of their desire to follow him into all things. Jesus showed in his own life that he was consecrated to the will of the Father. He often says in the gospels that he has come to do his Father’s will. He even calls Peter “Satan” at one point because Peter is trying to convince that God’s will for his life is something other than what God has made clear to him. Christ sets an example of consecration to his own followers. Just as he submits to the Father, so they must submit to him as he does the will of the Father.

The call of Jesus to entire consecration is an extraordinary one. He says that “if anyone would come after he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow him.” He also says that “whoever wants to save his life must lose it.” Jesus goes on to say that those who have a divided will cannot serve him. They must be completely devoted. He says “A man cannot serve two masters. Either he will love the one and hate the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other.”

Jesus even says that those who would follow him must give up everything for the sake of the kingdom. There were many followers who came to Jesus to ask what they must do to be his disciple, and Jesus always called them to surrender their lives completely. The rich young man had to surrender all of his wealth. Another disciple was told that he must leave his father’s funeral planning to someone else. Another was told that he would have to be homeless with no place to rest his head if he truly wanted to be a disciple of Jesus, which meant to be like Jesus. Christ even said that being consecrated to him as his disciple would cause the members of one’s own household to become his enemies. All of this shows the weight of consecration. It shows that consecration is more important than wealth, than having a home, and even more important than your own family. These were “hard words” for most of Jesus’ followers.

The Principle of Association

Association Defined 

The Principle of Association may be defined by stating that the one who leads a ministry does not only teach and give lessons to those under his ministry, but he becomes close friends with those he teaches as well. He chooses to become associated with them. They do life together. They go places together, share meals with each other, and talk about life. 

Association Modeled in the Life of Jesus 

This Principle of Association is modeled in the life of Jesus and his ministry with the disciples. In Jesus’ ministry he selected the twelve disciples to be his close companions and followers. Jesus became associated with this group of people and they became associated with him. Jesus did life with these twelve young men. He took them with him to different places, such as the area around the Sea of Galilee, to Jerusalem, and even as far north as Caesarea Philippi at one point. Jesus took his disciples with him to participate in his ministry.

Jesus also ate meals with his disciples as well as others. Jesus associated himself with people who were considered the least and the unclean and even gave himself a sort of a bad reputation for doing so. He spent time with tax collectors and prostitutes and he came to be associated with them. The incarnation itself is an example of Jesus’ choice to associate himself with humankind. The Scriptures record that “he took up our diseases and carried our sorrows.” He identified with mankind and became associated with mankind. In Jesus’ friendship with his disciples, he is seen confiding in them. In the Garden of Gethsemane he asks them to stay up and pray with him during his night of sorrow, and he is deeply hurt when they cannot stay awake with him and pray. In John, Jesus calls his disciples “friends.” Jesus is also seen associating with the disciples by visiting them in their own homes. The Gospels record Jesus staying at Peter’s house and healing his mother-in-law while there.

The Principle of Selection

Selection Defined 

The Principle of Selection holds the idea that in ministering to others one may take on the task of ministering to a small number of individuals in particular over a mass amount of people. One does not ignore ministry to others but one may spend extra amounts of time with a few certain people in order to create an effective ministry to those individuals. It is important to have people who are much closer to you than the majority of those within your ministry. Being selective in this way is not wrong. It benefits those who are closest to you without taking away anything of necessity from the rest of the crowd. 

Selection Modeled in the Life of Jesus 

Examples of The Law of Selection may be referred to within the ministry of Jesus. In Jesus’ ministry, he focused on a select few to whom he ministered regularly. One may see many levels of selection within Jesus’ own ministry. Out of all the people who followed him he selected seventy-two people that he sent out the spread the good news of the kingdom of heaven in the various regions in Israel. He gave these seventy-two people authority to work miracles and cast out demons among other things. They were an important part of Jesus’ ministry.

However, Jesus carried his selection out even further and he chose his twelve disciples to be his close friend and comrades in ministry. Most of the recorded words of Jesus were spoken to the twelve disciples. Jesus focused on these twelve in particular. Instead of dumbing down everything he said so that it would be completely obvious to everyone, he chose to speak in parables to the crowds. Those who truly wanted to understand his message went to him later in order to learn from him what he had been trying to say. This act is seen quite frequently among the Twelve.

Jesus’ selection went even further than the Twelve, however. He selected three from among the twelve whom he considered to be his closest friends. These three were Peter, James, and James’ brother John. These three were the only three who witnessed Christ in his splendor when his appearance was transfigured before them on the mountain. It was with these three that Jesus was most intimate. Also, it would seem that Jesus was perhaps even more selective at this point, perhaps taking special interest in Peter, sort of singling him out as his replacement if you will, or at least the one who would take over his ministry after he was gone. John is also thought to be “the disciple whom Jesus loved,” so this might be another example of selection taking place within the gospel narrative.