[annalex]

But [St. Paul] did NOT say to the churches to set up a multi-layered bureaucracy

He mentions six in various places: Christ, His Apostles, bishops, priests and deacons, and lay people.

[Quix]

But [St. Paul] did NOT say to the churches to set up a multi-layered bureaucracy
He mentions six in various places: Christ, His Apostles, bishops, priests and deacons, and lay people.
= = = =

Ahhhhh, but NOT . . . in a legal edifice--one organization framework. Not even close to that.

[Quix]

In the pattern Paul gave for the operation of local congregations in I Cor 12-14 . . .

he indicates that the local congregation is to come together and discern whether a prophetic message is of God, or not.

THE CONGREGATION--not the hierarchy. Not the bureaucracy. Not per se even the gifted ones . . .

BUT THE CONGREGATION.

In another place, he exhorts local congregations to search out a humble wise old codger to decide matters of dispute and not take them to the secular courts.

Again--NOT the bureaucracy. Not the hierarchy. Not the paid staff . . .