Fred,
I don't recall ever hearing this discussed, so I'm not sure if there's a "standard" way that baptists view how the Jerusalem church was organized. Since there were at least 8000 men saved (Acts 2:41 and Acts 4:4), not to mention the women and children, any way you cut it, they had there hands full.

I suppose there could have been just one church where everybody met, but in really makes more sense to me to have divided them up into smaller units, perhaps each apostle getting his share of the massive crowd. If they were divided up, I still wonder what the relationship was between the different church units. Were they independent, like the Baptist or Congregational form of government, or did they have an interdependent authority structure like the Presbyterian church of today? I wonder if there's any way to determine that from the scriptures or from the early writings of the church?

Regarding what you said about the deacons, it seems like no matter how all these people were divided up there would still be a need for the deacons. Even if no preaching was required, caring for the needs of 8000 men, plus the women and children alone, seems like it would be too much of a load for just 12 people.

Thanks for your input,
Bob

[Edited on 6-23-2004 by blhowes]

__________________
Bob Howes
Framingham, MA

A reoccurring thought:

Rev 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.