Data on the foundation of the Church and the first century of its history can be found almost exclusively in books of the New Testament. All other sources, both apocryphal, and paganic, contain very little information, which can be considered as reliable by historical science[3].
The Gospel contains a promise about the foundation of the Church, given by Christ: «And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of the Hades shall not overpower it» (Mt. 16,18). Fulfillment of this promise begins when Christ on the Last Supper establishes the Eucharist. The Church also is founded by the establishment of the Eucharist. Last Supper was the last meal of the Christ during His life on the earth. «And He said to them: «I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdomof God.» (Lk. 22,15-16). Saturday’s and feast meals gathered all members of pious Hebrew families or community ("chaburah"[4]). Twelve disciples called by the Christ, made such a community of the disciples, who were following their rabbi (teacher). This community of Christ and of the Twelve exceeded usual communities for the disciples of Christ have left everything: «Peter began to say to Him, «Behold, we have left everything and followed You. Jesus said, «Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake…» (Mk. 10,28-29). The head (president) of a community ("chaburah") was “giving thanks” over the bread and the cup.
The further events – the execution of Christ, His Resurrection and Ascension have prepared the disciples for the apostolic ministry in the Church. In the day of Pentecost after the Descent of the Spirit the meal of the disciples became the Eucharistic assembly and the Church was born. «For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes» (I Cor. 11,26). In the Eucharist Christ remains in fullness and in unity of the body: «This is My body… This cup is new covenant in My blood». (I Cor. 11, 24-25). The church as the body of Christ is manifested in its fullness in a Eucharistic assembly.
The eldest member and the head of the community that become the Church was Peter prepared for this by Christ and who was told: «Shepherd My sheep» (Jn. 21, 16). In the Eucharistic assembly Peter has occupied a place of a “giving thanks” which was occupied by Christ on the Last Supper. The first Eucharistic assembly has defined the church organization. The senior member gives thanks in Eucharistic assembly of community and heads the local church. Near to Peter in Eucharistic assembly of Jerusalem church there were other apostles, sharing with him the ministry of a president (proestos)[5]. Due to this the ministry of administration in the beginning of the existence of the Jerusalem church belonged to all apostles.
Position of apostle Peter and other apostles in the Jerusalem church was defined not by human will, but by the fact that it was established by the Lord, who had selected the Twelve. This order became standard[6]. In the Church of God in Christ a “giving thanks” should be one, but "presidents in the Lord" are a few – «as in all the churches of the saints» (I Cor. 14, 33). Apostles from the very beginning were not only presidents, but also servants to tables on Eucharistic assembly, following a commandment and the example of the Teacher shown on the Last Supper: «whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant» (diakonoj) (Mk. 10,43); «I among you as the one who serves» (o diakonwn) (Lk. 22, 27; compare Mk. 10, 46). Service to tables has soon become complicated by distribution of gifts to widows and deprived members of church, since Eucharistic assembly was also a brotherly meal of love - agape.
1. New Testament // New American Standard Bible. 1977.
2. Afanas'ev N., protopr. Cerkov Duha Svatogo. Riga 1994.
3. Afanas'ev N., protopr. Cerkovnye sobory i ih proishozhdenie. M., 2003.
4. Afanas'ev N., protopr. Neudavshijsja tsekovnyj okrug // Pravoslavnaja mysl. 1953. № 9.
5. Bolotov V.V. Lekcii po istorii drevnej Cerkvi. M., 2003.
6. Chadwick, H. The Early Church. London 1993.