"Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off."
Back to Paul and Jerusalem, though: clearly, Paul was compelled to act under their leadership: in general, searching 'Paul' and 'Jerusalem', we find that many of his actions involved them. He felt compelled to bring theological issues there (Acts 15:2, Gal 2:14). He mentioned the apostles as leaders at Jerusalem (Gal 2:9) and received their blessing to go to the Gentiles.
I did slightly misquote Acts 11:22: "News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch."
Yep, they didn't directly send Paul at that time. Barnadas - who WAS under their direction - took him (verse 25): "Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch." If I misquoted, it's because I believe that Barney went (out of his way) to Tarsus and get Paul because he was asked to do so.
However in 27-30: "27 During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. ...29 The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. 30 This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul." (clearly operating as emmissaries for the apostles).
Yes, Paul took some actions as directed by the Holy Spirit. He also operated in conjunction with the church at Jerusalem."
"Read the Mishna, Midrashim."
Ummm... I'll get back to you on that (or not).
Look: the point of this whole thing can be reduced to these items:
1. Christ left human leadership in charge of expanding his church (lowercase 'c') of believers when he left. Our role is to preserve, protect, defend, and spread the Word.
2. Humans fail at doing this. No kidding?
3. Denominations are the result of some sub-group deciding that a heresy has formed within the main group that cannot be erradicated.
Is this Biblical? You tell me: if both Heresies and Denominational splits are sin, which is the greater one? The one that causes a divide or the one that tries to correct it?
I will choose the correction path, for that leads to the scriptures. You're not gonna bump me off that position.
I have chosen (for now) the Presb. Church in America as the group closest to my own view of a proper Christian world view and one I believe to be most in accord with the scriptures. If denominations are bad, then I'll repent of that, but I'll never subscribe to the views of the RCC, from which all denominations seem to have originated.
That's quite enough from me, for I do not wish to sow discord - I do hope that the scriptures cited are sufficiently compelling. Apart from that, I can do no more.
I am not attempting to sow discord, either. But, I believe you missed my point. I said no formal "ordination" ceremony was involved. Notice, if there was it should have taken place once and for all in Jerusalem. So, praying and laying on of hands is a recognition of God working through him and sending him off done multiple times. No more, nor less. If there were specific requirements to be met here, we would have them in writing. Otherwise, we all ought to defer to that cult which loves to fill in these blanks. Reporting by Luke versus normative teaching.
Further, there is no such thing as a denomination or organization identified as representing the Body of Christ. There are congregations referred to throughout the text meeting in homes, by the rivers, in public buildings. The composition of those changed from time to time. Men who were qualified to teach and care for the group (older men = elders) were as formal as the polity got. The rest is a man-made fabrication for varying reasons.
I refer you to Gal. 2:6 to notice Paul had little regard for "authorities" who seemed to be important (in their own eyes or others). That he needed to publicly spank Peter for the gross misunderstanding that persisted in spite of his speech in Jerusalem is evidence that there were no clear denominations or organizations which authorized anything. Paul used the letter a few times, then never referred to it in his letters. Quite the opposite; he regularly disdained central authority.