[Sidenote:  Common bond of unity]

We have already shown from Paul’s writings that under his ministry both Jews and Gentiles were united in one body, “the same body.”  That these regional units to which we have referred were no denial of this clear truth, but that collectively they constituted one body, is further shown by the indications we have of their operative unity.  Notwithstanding the poor facilities for communication and travel in those days, which made general cooperation very difficult, and notwithstanding the fact that the record of historic Christianity in the Acts is exceedingly brief, we have, nevertheless, clear proof that there was cooperation throughout the apostolic church.  Two instances, one of a business nature, the other ecclesiastical, establish this point.  The churches of at least three provinces of the Roman Empire—­Galatia, Macedonia, and Achaia—­united under Paul’s direction in establishing a weekly financial system, the immediate object of which was to assist in accomplishing a particular object in which they were all interested (2 Cor. 8:9; 1 Cor. 16:1-3).  The ecclesiastical example is the council of the apostles and elders held in Jerusalem and recorded in Acts 15.  A question of doctrine and practise arose in Antioch; the church there was not able to settle it; therefore it was “determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other with them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question” (verse 2).

This was not a general council of the church.  No other sections or provinces were represented.  Nor did it meet as a legislative body, even though there were present specially inspired apostles, to whom had been given the commission to unfold the gospel as an authoritative revelation.  It is clear that the ministers of this council even sought to avoid the legislative function.  “For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things” (verse 28).  While this incident does not prove an administrative human headship of the whole church centralized at Jerusalem, it does prove that the individual congregations were not isolated units, but that they had respect for, and sought the advice and counsel of, older established congregations, and particularly of those general ministers whose gifts, qualifications, and reputation fitted them for general care of all the churches.

When we consider the divine nature of the church’s organization, with the ever-living Christ working mightily in all his ministers and through them in particular administering its government, we can see that the entire church was necessarily one body joined together in a common fellowship and actually laboring together in the performance of common tasks.

[Sidenote:  Bishop and elder]