But while these congregations possessed such autonomy and were distributed over a wide territory, they were not in all respects independent, isolated units.  As members of Christ sharing in a common life and engaged in a common cause, they were bound together in one brotherhood by ties of fellowship and love.  In addition to the union of separate individuals in one locality under the care of the local presbytery, the local congregations themselves were brought into close, sympathetic relationship with one another through the labors and influence of those general ministers who were not attached to particular churches, but whose gifts, callings, and qualifications fitted them for general service throughout the various congregations.  The responsibility and authority of these general ministers varied in accordance with their own gifts and qualifications and the degree of development attained by the churches among which they labored.  In the case of infant churches, it is evident that oversight was of the apostolic kind—­direct and immediate.  But whenever they became thoroughly established, the principle of local autonomy was recognized and the relation of the general ministers to such congregations was evangelistic rather than apostolic—­helpers and advisors, not administrative directors.

[Sidenote:  Geographical distribution]

That the foregoing analysis is correct is abundantly proved by the history of events in the Acts respecting the geographical distribution of the churches and their relation to one another.  Jerusalem was the original seat of Christianity.  Isaiah prophesied, “Out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem” (Isa. 2:3).  Jesus told the apostles “that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47).  And again, “Ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).  Philip went from Jerusalem to Samaria and there preached Christ with great success.  “Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the Word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John” (Acts 8:14).  Later we read that when churches had been established throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, “it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda” (Acts 9:  31, 32).  It was while he was on this general tour visiting the churches that he came to Joppa and there received the vision which led him to the household of Cornelius, after which he came to Jerusalem and was there called to account for his action in visiting the uncircumcised Gentiles.