1) Creation, as a whole, has order. That is observable every day. Furthermore, it has a hierarchy - the food chain is but the most obvious example. Even individuals within a specific group have a certain hierarchy - the Alpha Male of a Lion Pride is, for lack of a better term, top dog. This is the same as in humans - a family has (normally) a head, a leader. In most cases, this is the father, or grandfather. Mothers and grandmothers have many important roles, and in many cases are the behind the scenes head of house (I think of a sign my mom has - "The Rooster rules the Roost - but I rule the Rooster"). However, there is a distinct order is all levels of Creation - why would His Body not be the same?
2) The image used consistantly in the Bible is that of the "Kingdom of God." Kingdoms, even in Jesus's day, had specific roles and levels for its subjects. It follows that, in the Heavenly Kingdom, there would be a variety of posts, of offices. Not everyone can share the same office. Now, I agree that earthly Kingdom's are corrupt by our very nature. However, Plato's Republic provides an example of the "perfect" Kingdom - when the rulers can know what is best for the whole Polis and seek to achieve it. Each member of the Polis must follow the lead of the rulers in achieving that good. Each member is equal in dignity to the others, but has a very specific role - I see the Chuch in the same light.
Sorry if this is rushed or somewhat incoherent - I need to run but I really wanted to throw this your way and hear your responses. If you need anything clarified, please ask!
Here’s what immediately comes to mind:
(KJV) Luke 22:24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
(Message paraphrase) Luke 22:24-26 Within minutes they were bickering over who of them would end up the greatest. But Jesus intervened: “Kings like to throw their weight around and people in authority like to give themselves fancy titles. It’s not going to be that way with you. Let the senior among you become like the junior; let the leader act the part of the servant.
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Then there’s the Nicolaitan heresy-
Nico- to rule over
laity- the common people
Jesus said in the Revelation that He hates it.
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There are other examples, but I just thought of these two.
Any division which sets one class of believer above another is heresy. Even Paul and Banabas were separated unto apostleship- not placed in rulership over the Body, but rather constrained by love and enslaved to the service of God, as it were.