What model did early Christians use to organize church?

Answer 1

A:Understanding Christianity in early days takes back to understing Paul. He became the most visible of the apostles after the crucifixion since he was the best educated and uniquely positioned to bridge the Jewish and Roman worlds, opening the new religion up to a much larger audience. In Paul's writings are also found for the first time several features of Christian life central in later worship, for instance, the rituals of communion and mass, the doctrine of redemption through Christ's suffering and a growing sense of separation between Christians and Jews. Over time, the last developed into a schism, then open contempt and finally outright insurgency, forging a long-standing tradition of animosity between these religious sects. B:As far as we can tell, from Acts, the early churches in Judea (including Galilee) were organized on a collective basis, with leadership being shared amongst several people.

Also from Acts, we learn that, when Paul established churches in other places, he appointed presbyters (more than one) in each place, so one assumes that the same pattern applied there as well.

The same pattern emerges in the New Testament letter, 1 Peter 5, where the elders (plural) are urged to tend the "flock" under their care.

Answer 2

A:Understanding Christianity in early days takes back to understing Paul. He became the most visible of the apostles after the crucifixion since he was the best educated and uniquely positioned to bridge the Jewish and Roman worlds, opening the new religion up to a much larger audience. In Paul's writings are also found for the first time several features of Christian life central in later worship, for instance, the rituals of communion and mass, the doctrine of redemption through Christ's suffering and a growing sense of separation between Christians and Jews. Over time, the last developed into a schism, then open contempt and finally outright insurgency, forging a long-standing tradition of animosity between these religious sects. B:As far as we can tell, from Acts, the early churches in Judea (including Galilee) were organized on a collective basis, with leadership being shared amongst several people.

Also from Acts, we learn that, when Paul established churches in other places, he appointed presbyters (more than one) in each place, so one assumes that the same pattern applied there as well.

The same pattern emerges in the New Testament letter, 1 Peter 5, where the elders (plural) are urged to tend the "flock" under their care.

Answer 3

The New Testament churches didn't have any model to follow. The organisational structure of the church developed as the church grew.

It can be seen from the New Testament writings of Paul, Peter that there was a plurality of leadership. It seems elders, bishops, overseers are the same. Deacons on the other hand, were the servants of the church who were probably chiefly concerned with its material affairs, such as finances, etc.

As for the form of the church meeting it appears believers met together to pray Acts 1:14, to sing Eph 5:19, to break bread Acts 20:7, to listen to teaching Acts 20:7