Some just can not believe how could almost everybody have it wrong while just a small few have it right. One of the reasons is that men generally look up to a few men in so call authority for understanding, when they suppose to be looking to the knowledge as revealed by the Holy Spirit in the reading of the scriptures. This is further compounded by men looking to a hierarchical organizational church structure as being of God, so that a few men at the top are seen as having authority to determine the doctrinal position of millions. So the devil simply has to overcome these men men and destroy millions. A sought of pyramid system with a few men at the top, this form of organization in religious circles is of the papacy. However it must be noted the apostolic church had no central or hierarchical church order. In whatever locality direction was needed, holy men sought the will of God through pray, and the Holy Spirit gave revelation to direct the saints (Acts 13:1-3).
HERE WHAT SIS WHITE SAYS OF A CENTRALIZED CHURCH SYSTEM:
The great heart of the work is at -----; and, as the human heart throws its living current of blood into all parts of the body, so does the management at this place, the headquarters of our church, affect the whole body of believers. If the physical heart is healthy, the blood that is sent from it through the system is also healthy; but if this fountain is impure, the whole organism becomes diseased by the poison of the vital fluid. So it is with us. If the heart of the work becomes corrupt, the whole church, in its various branches and interests, scattered abroad over the face of the earth, suffers in consequence. 4T 210.4
Here is an interesting link on the topic: http://ccbutler.org/home/structure/395-2/. Below are shown different forms of church government. The first one is not of God: The second is based on Matthew 20:25-28, I quote: "But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." In the biblical form of church organization, governance is by the Holy Spirit and the whole church are the ministers of God as they are all commissioned to testify of Christ (Matt.28:18-20.They are all connected directly to Christ the head as they all have the mind of Christ from which they obtain direction/instruction 1 Cor.2:16, they are not dependent on knowing what is truth because a minister, or President or a Conference or a Pope says so, they all have the Holy Spirit in them that shows them if what is being said is of God or is of man (John7:17).



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