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Biblical Leadership Themes of the New Testament
Introduction
It would seem that every culture and language across all nations would have a word for "leader." As Robert Stacy identifies, there is no one-to-one association between Greek words used in the New Testament (NT) and the English word leader.
1
Although the lack of a direct translation may make it challenging to discuss leadership in the NT, Robert Stacy concludes that the Greek NT leadership characterization "is a matter of guiding rather than governing."
2
Robert Stacy's definition is appreciated with careful discernment of Jesus' teachings. Jesus is the most excellent leader in the NT, without a doubt. In Matthew 20:28, Jesus states that He came to serve others and not have others serve Him (Matt. 20:28, English Standard Version). Therefore, Jesus modeling the example of a servant leader is a matter of guiding and not governing. Unfortunately, many of His followers and those he served did not want a servant leader that would offer His life as a ransom for many (Matt. 20:28, ESV). Two great examples of Jesus teaching His disciples of servanthood and letting them know of His inevitable death are John 13:12-16 and Mark 8:33. For the kingdom of God to spread across all nations, Jesus’ disciples would need to emulate His teachings and how He served; even unto death.
In Theology for the Everyday Leader, many leadership attributes are mentioned on behalf
of Jesus and the apostles. Again, although the word “leader” does not directly translate Greek to English, there are many examples of it. This essay will consider three leadership traits commonly
not believed to be leadership traits. First, the essay will explain how followers are leaders—
followed by how Jesus and His followers were slaves. Lastly, the essay will discuss faithfulness to God and its implications for leaders.
1
Benjamin K. Forrest and Chet Roden. Biblical Leadership: Theology for the Everyday Leader
. (Grand Rapids, MI.: Kregel Publications, 2017), 289.
2
Ibid
. 303.
Followers are Leaders
In the secular world, leaders are expected to have natural attributes that make them more qualified such as managerial skills, proficient learners, and the ability to mature employees.
3
Fortunately, in the kingdom of God, Jesus delegates authority to His disciples, otherwise known as followers.
4
In Matthew 4:19, when Jesus calls His first disciples, He begins by saying, “Follow me” (Matt. 4:19; Mark 1:17; John 1:43, ESV). It could not be said of any of His twelve disciples that they possess the natural attributes of a leader. Hence, His followers, the twelve new
leaders of the Church, will be groomed by Jesus throughout His ministry.
Many organizations have an authoritative figure, usually called Chief Executive Officer or a similar title. Just as in the secular world, leadership in the kingdom of God does not originate within us.
5
As mentioned above, Jesus delegates authority, and He does so to those who
possess the proper qualities: availability and faith.
6
For some, giving up their wealth, fame, career, or family is not worth following Jesus. Matthew 19:16-30 mentions a young man who wanted to receive eternal life but did not know what he must do. Jesus gives him the commands he must follow and then tells him to sell everything he has and follow Him. Unfortunately, he believed that his earthly riches were far greater than the riches Jesus could promise him. Forrest and Roden elaborate on leadership by comparing a king sitting on his throne against a military commander ahead of his troops, yelling, “Follow me.”
7
Peter expresses that because Jesus suffered for His people and was the example of divine leadership, His followers should do the same (1 Pet. 2:21, ESV). His delegated authority does not mean His followers will 3
Simplilearn, “10 Major Leadership Theories Every Manager Should Master In 2023,” Simplilearn.com (Simplilearn, January 18, 2023), https://www.simplilearn.com/top-leadership-theories-every-manager-
should-know-article.
4
Forrest and Roden. Biblical Leadership: Theology for the Everyday Leader, 320.
5
Ibid
. 332.
6
Ibid
. 332.
7
Forrest and Roden. Biblical Leadership: Theology for the Everyday Leader, 459.
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always be filled with joy and rejoicing, at least not in the sense that is common to man. Instead, His disciples found a way to rejoice in their suffering because they suffered for His name (Acts 5:41, ESV). Jesus and His Followers were Slaves
Slavery was rightfully abolished many years ago throughout the world. Regrettably, slavery was prominent throughout the Bible, and corporal punishment for them was a customary societal norm.
8
Often these enslaved people suffered unwarranted whippings, floggings, and beatings that brought them dishonor; even if the whipping occurred to someone free, they were considered servile.
9
As mentioned in Philippians 2:7-8, Jesus submitted to the will of God by taking on the form of an enslaved person by giving up His divine privileges (Phil. 2:7-8, New Living Translation).
Paul and Silas suffered a beating in Philippi, even though they could have identified themselves as Roman citizens (Acts 16:22-23, ESV). Jesus’ followers knew that if they were hypocritical and used their citizenship to avoid the beating, it would have created a two-class system within the church.
10
However, Paul knew that for His followers to inherit the kingdom of God, they must suffer with Him to be glorified with Him (Rom. 8:16-17, ESV). By doing so, Paul and Silas proved to be servant leaders that would endure the same style of suffering Jesus did.
The highest-ranking servant of God refers to themselves as enslaved because they were bought at a price.
11
Although Galatians 3:13-15 states that His followers were bought by His blood, Romans 6:18 presents the idea that those who were once slaves of sin are now slaves of 8
Forrest and Roden. Biblical Leadership: Theology for the Everyday Leader, 416.
9
Ibid
. 417.
10
Ibid
. 412.
11
Forrest and Roden. Biblical Leadership: Theology for the Everyday Leader, 456.
righteousness (Gal. 3:13-15; Rom. 6:18, ESV). Through faithfulness to God’s will, His followers
will be sanctified and glorified.
Faithfulness to God
Even though His followers will never attain perfection in this life, God remains faithful to those who confess their sins (1 John 1:9, ESV). Through confessing their sins, His followers obeyed His will and commands that granted them eternal life. Therefore, it was in the best interest of the apostles to remain faithful to Jesus. In Acts 5:27-32, Peter and John were charged with not teaching the name of Jesus throughout Jerusalem, but they refused (Acts 5:27-32, ESV).
After receiving a beating, Peter and John rejoiced because they were counted worthy to suffer in the name of the Lord, and they continued to teach the name of Jesus (Acts 5:41-42, ESV). There are many spiritual qualities that stewards of the Word of God should possess and are mentioned throughout the NT. In 1 Corinthians 4:1-2, Paul declares that as servants of God, they should be found to be faithful (1 Cor. 4:1-2, ESV). The faithfulness mentioned in the verse above is to not only the designated role as a leader but as a leader that honors God and fulfills their mission.
12
God wants leaders who will listen to His words and give Him credit for the glory.
Paul commands believers in 1 Corinthians 10:31 that everything they do must be done for the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31, ESV). It is by faith in God and faithfulness to His Word that leaders must walk. Hebrews 11:1 states that “…faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1, ESV). Paul mentions that faithfulness is one of the fruits of the Spirit that His followers must possess in Galatians 5:22. And even when we are faithless, we can be assured that He will always be faithful because he cannot disown Himself (2 Tim. 2:13, ESV).
Conclusion
12
Ibid
. 514.
In conclusion, Jesus’ followers are leaders, Jesus, and His followers were slaves, and leaders are faithful to God, all because of God. These leadership qualities can be applied to leaders in the NT and today. More importantly, knowing that secular and Biblical leaders derive their authority from opposite ends of the spectrum is indispensable. While secular leaders derive their leadership from within or other men, Biblical leaders have their leadership delegated to them from Jesus. The faithfulness of His commands provides Biblical leaders with continued success and lordship over His people. While being a follower of Christ and a slave to righteousness is never easy, His followers can rest assured that their faithfulness to God will be repaid tenfold.
Bibliography
Forrest, Benjamin K., and Roden, Chet, Biblical Leadership: Theology for the Everyday Leader
. Grand Rapids, MI.: Kregal Publications, 2017.
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