Originally posted by vadermanu89:
As the apostles began to pass from the scene, they appointed certain non-apostles-e.g., Timothy, Titus, Mark, Philip, and Apollos-to oversee multiple local congregations and to appoint and discipline individual presbyters within them. Since they oversee only a single and individual congregation/region, they are technically the first bishops. Within this congregation, they have enouh authority to do the following -
If you believe the "end is near" theory, then it makes sense not to develop a hierarchy.
well, I think the theory makes sense.
