After the fall of Jerusalem (AD 70), key Christian leaders migrated to Asia Minor and so to the churches established by Paul. Of these, John, Andrew (Peter’s brother), Philip, John the Elder (a disciple of Jesus), and Aristion (another disciple) all went to Ephesus or a place nearby. The three prophetic daughters of Philip, two of whom live into old age also went and ministered in Asia Minor. Ephesus and the surrounding area therefore become the apostolic hub during the years of AD 70–95.
One fascinating feature is that this migrated apostolic church formed a school that trains and produces some of the key leaders of the next generations: Polycarp of Smyrna, Papias of Hierapolis, and many other unknown leaders. Another notable feature is that the apostles themselves set up an episcopal model of the church that has already become common in the 90s.
By saying “episcopal model,” I need to immediately qualify that I do not mean something like the late antique episcopal models. Rather, I mean something akin to the role of a senior pastor in an evangelical church. [Read more…] about What Form of Church Government Did the Apostles Use?