Using Christ's Ministry as a Model for Effective Communication
The ministry of Christ provides a profound model for effective communication, characterized by sincerity, meekness, and the power of the Holy Spirit. His approach to conveying truth was not merely didactic but embodied the very principles he taught, offering a pattern for believers and ministers alike [3, 7, 8].
One foundational aspect of Christ's communication was sincerity. The apostle Peter notes that Christ was an example of sincerity (1 Peter 2:22) [3]. This sincerity is contrasted with "fleshly wisdom" and is presented as a characteristic that should define a believer's love for God and Christ, service, faith, and love for one another (2 Corinthians 1:12; Ephesians 6:24; Joshua 24:14; John 4:23-24; Romans 12:9; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 3:18) [3]. For ministers, sincerity is crucial in preaching the gospel (2 Corinthians 2:17; 1 Thessalonians 2:3-5), ensuring that the message is delivered without guile or ulterior motives [3]. The absence of sincerity can lead to preaching the gospel from contention rather than pure motives (Philippians 1:16) [3].
Meekness was another hallmark of Christ's communication. He exemplified meekness, as seen in passages like Psalm 45:4, Isaiah 53:7, Matthew 11:29, and 2 Corinthians 10:1 [7]. Christ's teaching also emphasized meekness, particularly in his instruction to turn the other cheek and love enemies (Matthew 5:38-45) [7]. This quality is identified as a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and is something saints are encouraged to seek, put on, and exhibit in their conduct (Zephaniah 2:3; Colossians 3:12-13; James 3:13) [7]. Receiving the word of God with meekness (James 1:21) and answering for one's hope with meekness (1 Peter 3:15) are also enjoined [7]. Ministers are called to follow after meekness, instruct opponents with it, and urge it upon their congregations (1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:24-25; Titus 3:1-2) [7].
The efficacy of Christ's communication was intrinsically linked to the power of the Holy Spirit. Christ began his ministry in the power of the Spirit (Luke 4:14) and performed miracles by the Spirit (Matthew 12:28) [8]. The Holy Spirit's power is not only evident in creation and Christ's conception and resurrection but also in making the gospel efficacious (1 Corinthians 2:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:5) [8]. This power was promised by the Father and by Christ himself (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8) [8]. The "communication of thy faith" is described as becoming "effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus" (Philemon 1:6, KJV) [1]. This suggests that effective communication of faith is tied to the recognition of the good things present in believers through Christ.
The "gospel of Christ" itself is a central theme in Christian communication. The term "gospel" (Greek evangelion) means "good message," and those who proclaimed it were called "evangelists" (evangelistai) [5]. The central fact of this preaching was the arrival of the Savior (Matthew 4:23; Romans 10:15) [5]. The four Gospels provide historical accounts of Christ's person and work, presenting him as the promised King, a prophet mighty in deed and word, and the one who brings salvation [5]. The apostle Paul emphasizes that believers' conduct should be "as it becometh the Gospel of Christ" (Philippians 1:27, DRC), meaning their lives should align with the message they profess [2, 9]. John Gill interprets this as behaving as citizens worthy of the Gospel, with a conversation that gives no offense and silences foolish accusers [9].
Christ's role as mediator encompasses three functions: prophet, priest, and king [4]. As a prophet, he communicated God's truth; as a priest, he interceded; and as a king, he exercises authority [4]. His intercessory prayer life also serves as a model (Luke 22:32; 23:34; John 17:9-24), demonstrating a communicative act directed towards God on behalf of others [6]. This intercessory communication is commanded for believers for kings, authorities, ministers, the Church, and all people [6].
Sources
- King James Version “[KJV] Philemon 1:6 — That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.”
- Philippians “Philippians 1:5 (DRC) — For your communication in the gospel of Christ, from the first day unto now.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sincerity — Christ was an example of -- 1Pe 2:22. Ministers should be examples of -- Tit 2:7. Opposed to fleshly wisdom -- 2Co 1:12. Should characterise Our love to God. -- 2Co 8:8,24. Our love to Christ. -- Eph 6:24. Our service to God. -- Jos 24:14; Joh 4:23,24. Our faith. -- 1Ti 1:5. Our love to one another. -- Ro 12:9; 1Pe 1:22; 1Jo 3:18. Our whole conduct. -- 2Co 1:12. The preaching of the gospel. -- 2Co 2:17; 1Th 2:3-5. A characteristic of the doctrines of the gospel -- 1Pe 2:2. The gospel sometimes preached without -- Php 1:16. The wicked devoid of -- Ps 5:9; ”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Kingly office of Christ — One of the three special relations in which Christ stands to his people. Christ's office as mediator comprehends three different functions, viz., those of a prophet, priest, and king. These are not three distinct offices, but three functions of the one office of mediator. Christ is King and sovereign Head over his Church and over all things to his Church (Eph. 1:22; 4:15; Col. 1:18; 2:19). He executes this mediatorial kingship in his Church, and over his Church, and over all things in behalf of his Church. This royalty differs from that whic”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Gospels — The central fact of Christian preaching was the intelligence that the Saviour had come into the world (Matt. 4:23; Rom. 10:15); and the first Christian preachers who called their account of the person and mission of Christ by the term evangelion_ (= good message) were called _evangelistai (= evangelists) (Eph. 4:11; Acts 21:8). There are four historical accounts of the person and work of Christ: "the first by Matthew, announcing the Redeemer as the promised King of the kingdom of God; the second by Mark, declaring him a prophet, mighty in deed and word'; th”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer, Intercessory — Christ set an example of -- Lu 22:32; 23:34; Joh 17:9-24. Commanded -- 1Ti 2:1; Jas 5:14,16. Should be offered up for Kings. -- 1Ti 2:2. All in authority. -- 1Ti 2:2. Ministers. -- 2Co 1:11; Php 1:19. The Church. -- Ps 122:6; Isa 62:6,7. All saints. -- Eph 6:18. All men. -- 1Ti 2:1. Masters. -- Ge 24:12-14. Servants. -- Lu 7:2,3. Children. -- Ge 17:18; Mt 15:22. Friends. -- Job 42:8. Fellow-countrymen. -- Ro 10:1. The sick. -- Jas 5:14. Persecutors. -- Mt 5:44. Enemies among whom we dwell. -- Jer 29:7. Those who envy us. -- Nu 12:13. Those who ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Meekness — Christ set an example of -- Ps 45:4; Isa 53:7; Mt 11:29; 21:5; 2Co 10:1; 1Pe 2:21-23. His teaching -- Mt 5:38-45. A fruit of the Spirit -- Ga 5:22,23. Saints should Seek. -- Zep 2:3. Put on. -- Col 3:12-13. Receive the word of God with. -- Jas 1:21. Exhibit, in conduct, &c. -- Jas 3:13. Answer for their hope with. -- 1Pe 3:15. Show to all men. -- Tit 3:2. Restore the erring with. -- Ga 6:1. Precious in the sight of God -- 1Pe 3:4. Ministers should Follow after. -- 1Ti 6:11. Instruct opposers with. -- 2Ti 2:24,25. Urge, on their people. -- Tit 3:1,2. A char”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Power of the Holy Spirit, The — Is the power of God -- Mt 12:28; Lu 11:20. Christ commenced his ministry in -- Lu 4:14. Christ wrought his miracles by -- Mt 12:28. Exhibited in Creation. -- Ge 1:2; Job 26:13; Ps 104:30. The conception of Christ. -- Lu 1:35. Raising Christ from the dead. -- 1Pe 3:18. Giving spiritual life. -- Eze 37:11-14; Ro 8:11. Working miracles. -- Ro 15:19. Making the gospel efficacious. -- 1Co 2:4; 1Th 1:5. Overcoming all difficulties. -- Zec 4:6,7. Promised by the Father. -- Lu 24:49. Promised by Christ. -- Ac 1:8. Saints Upheld by. -- Ps 51:12”
- Philippians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Philippians 1:27: Only let your conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ,.... Or "behave as citizens worthy of the Gospel"; for not so much their outward conversation in the world is here intended, which ought to be in wisdom towards them that are without; so as to give no offence to any, and to put to, silence, the ignorance of foolish men, and them to confusion and: shame, who falsely accuse their good conversation in Christ; though this is what is highly becoming professors of the Gospel; and a moral conversation proceeding from principles of grace, under the influen”