Definition and Context:
Deputation refers to the act of appointing or sending a person or group of people to represent or act on behalf of others. In biblical terms, deputation often involves the sending of individuals to carry out specific tasks, deliver messages, or fulfill missions as directed by a higher authority, typically God or a leader within the community.

Biblical Instances:

1. Moses and the Elders of Israel:
In the Old Testament, God frequently used deputation to communicate His will to the people of Israel. One notable instance is when Moses, acting under God's command, appointed seventy elders to assist him in leading the people. This act of deputation is recorded in Numbers 11:16-17 : "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. The Twelve Apostles:
In the New Testament, Jesus Christ Himself engaged in deputation by appointing the twelve apostles to spread His teachings and perform miracles. This is seen in Mark 3:14-15 : "He appointed twelve, whom He designated as apostles, to accompany Him, to be sent out to preach, and to have authority to drive out demons."

3. The Seventy-Two Disciples:
Another example of deputation by Jesus is the sending of the seventy-two disciples. In Luke 10:1 , it is written: "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."

4. Paul and Barnabas:
The early church also practiced deputation. In Acts 13:2-3 , the Holy Spirit directed the church at Antioch to set apart Paul and Barnabas for missionary work: "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' So after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off."

Theological Significance:
Deputation in the Bible underscores the importance of divine authority and the delegation of responsibilities within the community of believers. It reflects the principle of shared leadership and the distribution of tasks to accomplish God's purposes. This practice highlights the cooperative nature of ministry and the reliance on the guidance of the Holy Spirit in appointing individuals for specific roles.

Practical Application:
In contemporary Christian practice, deputation can be seen in the ordination of ministers, the sending of missionaries, and the appointment of church leaders. It serves as a reminder of the need for discernment and prayerful consideration in selecting individuals to represent the church and carry out its mission.1. (n.) The act of deputing, or of appointing or commissioning a deputy or representative; office of a deputy or delegate; vicegerency.

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 deputation to the enemy to propose a truce.

4917. mishlachath -- a discharge, deputation, sending
... 4916b, 4917. mishlachath. 4918 . a discharge, deputation, sending. Transliteration:
mishlachath Phonetic Spelling: (mish-lakh'-ath) Short Definition: band. ...
/hebrew/4917.htm - 6k

The Deputation from Jerusalem - the Three Sects of the Pharisees ...
... CHAPTER II. THE DEPUTATION FROM JERUSALEM - THE THREE SECTS OF THE PHARISEES, SADDUCEES,
AND ESSENES - EXAMINATION OF THEIR DISTINCTIVE DOCTRINES. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter ii the deputation from.htm

Innovations of Eudoxius Censured in a Letter Written by George ...
... Chapter XIII."Innovations of Eudoxius censured in a Letter written by George, Bishop
of Laodicea. Deputation from the Council of Ancyra to Constantius. ...
/.../chapter xiii innovations of eudoxius censured.htm

The Macedonians, Pressed by the Emperor's violence Toward Them ...
... Chapter XII."The Macedonians, pressed by the Emperor's Violence toward them, send
a Deputation to Liberius Bishop of Rome, and subscribe the Nicene Creed. ...
/.../chapter xii the macedonians pressed by.htm

Healing of the Heathen Centurion's Slave at Capernaum. --The ...
... GALILEE. Section 160. Healing of the Heathen Centurion's Slave at Capernaum.
"The Deputation of Elders."Faith of the Centurion. As ...
/.../section 160 healing of the.htm

The Vatican Decrees, Continued. The Infallibility Decree.
... and Italian Bishops. [303]. The Pope received none of these addresses, but
referred them to the Deputation on Faith. While in this ...
/.../ 33 the vatican decrees.htm

Message of the Sanhedrim to John at Bethabara.
... increased to such an extent that men were even inclined to look upon him as the
Messiah, that high tribunal thought it best to send a deputation [244] to ...
/.../section 111 message of the.htm

Not that Light, but a Witness.
... successive days, as appears from the twofold use of the phrase, "On the morrow."
"On the morrow" (ie, after he had met and answered the deputation from the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/viii not that light but.htm

The Breaking Out of Discord
... No doubt the other side was represented in the deputation. ... The first step taken in
Jerusalem was to call a meeting of the Church to welcome the deputation. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/the breaking out of discord.htm

Christ's Ministry Begins.
... (John 1:29). 29. The next day John seeth Jesus. The next day after the visit of
the deputation of the Sanhedrim. It was not the first visit of Jesus to John. ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/christs ministry begins.htm

The Witness of John.
... It was entirely in harmony with its prerogatives that it should send an
official deputation to ascertain the character of John. ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the witness of john.htm

Deputation (3 Occurrences)
... 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 deputation to the ...
/d/deputation.htm - 7k

Pilate (60 Occurrences)
... Pilate came forth from his palace and met the deputation from the Sanhedrin, who,
in answer to his inquiry as to the nature of the accusation they had to ...
/p/pilate.htm - 53k

Pontius (4 Occurrences)
... Pilate came forth from his palace and met the deputation from the Sanhedrin, who,
in answer to his inquiry as to the nature of the accusation they had to ...
/p/pontius.htm - 36k

Zedekiah (63 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 21:18-23, 7 th year-Nebuchadnezzar casting a divination to determine his
invasion of Judah; Jeremiah 21, undated but soon after-deputation from the ...
/z/zedekiah.htm - 49k

Ordinary (17 Occurrences)
... judgment; an ordinary book. 4. (n.) An officer who has original jurisdiction
in his own right, and not by deputation. 5. (n.) One who ...
/o/ordinary.htm - 12k

Judaeus
... In the winter of 39-40 AD, he was spokesman of the deputation sent to Rome to protest
against imposition of emperor-worship upon fellow-citizens of his faith. ...
/j/judaeus.htm - 29k

Gibeon (39 Occurrences)
... A deputation of the Gibeonites, with their allies from three other cities (Joshua
9;17), visited the camp at Gilgal, and by false representations induced ...
/g/gibeon.htm - 31k

Incurred (9 Occurrences)
... So they sent a large deputation to wait on him; and having secured the good will
of Blastus, his treasurer, they begged the king to be friendly with them again ...
/i/incurred.htm - 9k

Friendly (17 Occurrences)
... So they sent a large deputation to wait on him; and having secured the good will
of Blastus, his treasurer, they begged the king to be friendly with them again ...
/f/friendly.htm - 11k

Regemmelech (1 Occurrence)
... re'-gem-me'-lek, re'-gem-mel'-ek (reghem melekh): One of a deputation sent to inquire
concerning the propriety of continuing the commemoration of the ...
/r/regemmelech.htm - 7k

Deputation: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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