Jesus never established a "system" of worship. First, consider the locations where believers met to worship God.
Acts 16:13, "And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made…”
Acts 20:7, “…when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, …spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.
Acts 21:5, “…we departed…and they all accompanied us, with wives and children, till we were out of the city. And we knelt down on the shore and prayed.?"
Matthew 5:1, "And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him."
Jesus and the Apostles never established formal schools to ordain elders. Believers gathered to study the Old Testament and the letters of the Apostles. Acts 17:11, "… they ?(those in Berea) received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." As men developed mature Christian characters, were well-studied, and humbly served, the group they studied with elected them as bishops (elders), and deacons.
The word bishop simply signifies overseer. Every elected elder was recognized as an overseer of a work great or small. For example, when Paul was leaving the Church at Ephesus, he said: "Take heed to yourselves and to the Church over which the holy Spirit hath made you overseers." Acts 20:28 Vines Expository Dictionary explains the appointment of overseers as "Not a formal ecclesiastical ordination is in view, but the 'appointment,' for the recognition of the churches, of those who had already been raised up and qualified by the Holy Spirit, and had given evidence of this in their life and service."
Peter explains the leaders’ responsibilities as, "The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an Elder,…Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof…not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock." 1 Pet. 5:1-3 Note: leaders were not paid for their services.
The early church had liberty to worship as each individual group thought best. They sang, prayed, studied, and even ate together. It's sad that "Christian worship" has been formalized and become financially profitable. There is certainly no evidence of these manmade systems in the primitive church.
If you are looking for a good church and cannot find one which is organized as the Bible directs, you might consider meeting with other sincere believers in each other’s homes to study the Bible together.
We find topical Bible study is most helpful, and we offer a free booklet to assist you. It covers subjects such as "Why God Permits Evil," Epochs of Time in God's Plan," "God's Judgment Day," "Ransom, Restitution and Resurrection," and a chapter explaining the details of the "Chart of the Ages." Download the PDF: "God's Grand Plan of the Ages"
