Quote:
Originally Posted by Igzy
Again we do not see clearly in the Bible that all churches in the NT were organized at the local level. All we see is that the Bible mentions the church in the city. But the Bible never prescribes, nor does it clearly describe organization at the local level.
|
Your point about fringe groups is understood. But normally these fringe groups arise from a lack of local organisation. That is why we do not see Lutherans, Anglicans, Orthodox, or Catholics, holding "Holy Ghost Pajama Parties". That is why we do not see even the local churches doing these silly things because we maintain the local organisation. Anyway, Jesus was a revolutionary, his little band of 12 disciples was a fringe group once.
The "anything goes" model which is around today, of any "two or three" setting up their own "church" because it suits them, is actually a fringe view. It has been rejected by historians and theologians. Even Martin Luther or Calvin and other great Reformers never thought to implement the "anything goes" model. They rejected many things from Catholicism but they did not throw away the local organisation.
It has been rejected by the Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, and possibly the Lutheran as well. They all recognise that the early church was structured and arranged in an ordered way. This means your view is a fringe view.