Quote:
Originally Posted by Charnock
When speaking of the church, we refer to it in either the local or universal sense. From looking at the biblical record, we find that local churches were organized to be independent from each other ( 1 Peter 5:1-3), answering only to Jesus, the Head of the church ( Ephesians 1:22-23). In passages where the universal church is under discussion ( Ephesians 5:23-27), scripture is silent concerning any formal organization. The Lord’s church has been organized without earthly headquarters and bureaucracies. Jesus is the head of the church and elders in local congregations answer directly to Him.
http://www.bible.ca/ef/topical-local...sing-error.htm |
I don't read it in the bible that way.
I read that the Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles and that what feel on him daily was the care of all the churches,
1Co 4:17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timothy, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
The way I read it is that Paul had authority over all the Gentile churches and set things in order.
I believe the first pastors of the first churches were the original apostles. Afterwards elders and/or/including a Pastor were to be ordained. Once a pastor could prove that he could look after the church, then an apostle could leave and go elsewhere.
The scripture also talks about governments and in the context of administrations in the gifts of the Spirit, lists a hierarchy...
1Co 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
I believe the 5 fold ministry listed in Ephesian 4:11 along with the scripture above shows that apostles are first, then prophets come second, and that evangelists, pastors, and teachers all come afterwards under the general category of teachers.
If one of the pastors couldn't handle a situation in their church, they could appeal to the apostle Paul and in fact sometimes Paul had to deal with specific situations in the churches.
That's how I see it, but if I'm wrong perhaps someone could correct me with sound doctrine.
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