Governmental Structure of the Early Church
"And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles." [Acts 2:42,43]
"And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need." [Acts 4:33-35]
"Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them." [Acts 6:2-6]
For what it's worth, the governmental structure of the Early Church reflected monarchical, oligarchical and democratic tendencies. In some ways the twelve apostles appear to have been co-equal rulers over the nascent church. Yet, in that James was given headship of the church in Jerusalem--and seemed to exercise a "final authority" over doctrinal matters (as in the example of the Jerusalem council in Acts 15)--didn't this point to his having a higher authority than his fellow apostles? And then consider how the complaints of the laypeople in Acts 6 compelled the creation of the diaconate: That is as vivid a picture of the congregational decision-making (even down to the laity's choosing of the officers) as we have in scripture. So, is it perhaps fair to say that in the matter of leadership of the early church, various models can be seen at work. A presbytery often led, but a bishop sometimes made final decisions, and the church as a whole sometimes exercised authority.
"And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need." [Acts 4:33-35]
"Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them." [Acts 6:2-6]
For what it's worth, the governmental structure of the Early Church reflected monarchical, oligarchical and democratic tendencies. In some ways the twelve apostles appear to have been co-equal rulers over the nascent church. Yet, in that James was given headship of the church in Jerusalem--and seemed to exercise a "final authority" over doctrinal matters (as in the example of the Jerusalem council in Acts 15)--didn't this point to his having a higher authority than his fellow apostles? And then consider how the complaints of the laypeople in Acts 6 compelled the creation of the diaconate: That is as vivid a picture of the congregational decision-making (even down to the laity's choosing of the officers) as we have in scripture. So, is it perhaps fair to say that in the matter of leadership of the early church, various models can be seen at work. A presbytery often led, but a bishop sometimes made final decisions, and the church as a whole sometimes exercised authority.
© 2024 Created by Raliegh Jones Jr..
Powered by
