tom55 said:
This doesn't make any sense. Scripture doesn't even back up your theory.
It is true "we are all equal in the sight of God" but we are not all prophets, elders, presbyter's, deacons etc. etc.
Scripture clearly sets up a hierarchal church and says that no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. That doesn't make it "mans religion" as you so falsely believe. It is still a religion of God but enforced by man. Your theory makes no sense, is clearly heretical, not based on scripture or Christian History and is only accepted those that twist scripture.
Tom55,
I understand H. Richard's point and it is valid in an overall view. But I must agree with you. Paul spent alot of time in his writing outlining a very simple structure for Church leadership. In fact you paraphrased Paul from Eph 6 or 1 cor 12 (sounds closer to the latter).
I will say a couple of things. 1st Paul did prophesy in Acts 20 the grevious wolves would enter. John in Revelations also saw it (speaking of the 7 Churches).
Second, We must understand that the leaders must be genious and stick to the Word. The highest leader must be an apostle (Yes, Christ is the head but an apostle speaks in Christ's place and is his ambassador. In other words, he gets his orders from Christ).
Third, sadly I don't think this is posible on a large scale today. In other words I don't think its happening in any denonination today and stopped working soon after Paul departed.
There is a biblical way to run a community of believers. I do believe its happening today, but not in large Churches or denominations.