ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the organization of the congregation. The beginnings of the Christian congregations were not unlike the circumstances attending every new proletarian organization. Its founders, the apostles, had to conduct all the work of the congregation themselves, propaganda as well as organization and administration. The elements that had given the messianic congregation its rebellious character had been defeated. And the congregation of the Messiah became more and more an anti-Jewish congregation, within the non-Jewish proletariat, which had neither the ability nor the desire for struggle. According to the Acts of the Apostles, the need was soon felt in the Jerusalem congregation of intrusting certain comrades with the collection and distribution of members' gifts, particularly the serving of meals at table. As the organization of the entire Church became more rigid, the congregations became more powerless as opposed to the bishops, at least in cases where the latter represented the tendencies of the majority of his colleagues.
