“” Jesus said we can know each other by our fruits. “
He said that about knowing false prophets ... the “each other” is known by the work of the Holy Spirit which bears witness (to each other) that we are children of God. “
Yes, but there are false prophets among us, which presupposes an “us,” a group of people that can actually discipline and be disciplined by elders - there are instructions, quite explicit, for choosing out elders from the assembled Christians for the purpose of ruling over them.
Consider the instructions Jesus gave us in Mathew chapter 18 for example:
“15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’[b] 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.
18 “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
19 “Again I say[c] to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
This instruction presumes, among other things, that there is a “church” to tell it to.
Then it's not 'yes'
—This instruction presumes, among other things, that there is a “church” to tell it to.—
Whenever I see the word “church” in the bible, I interpret it as “the body of believers”. And in the example you gave about, I would say your “local” congregation of believers.
—choosing out elders from the assembled Christians for the purpose of ruling over them.—
I am really uncomfortable with that wording. I see them as church leaders. Those that make decisions. Not those who “rule over me”. There have been some bad church leaders in every major religion. I’m glad I never saw them as “ruling over me”.