Reading this in 1 Cor. 14:26-33 proves that there was no centralized governing body that provided all truths in the first century. Here is the quote:
26 What is to be done, then, brothers? When YOU come together, one has a psalm, another has a teaching, another has a revelation, another has a tongue, another has an interpretation. Let all things take place for upbuilding. 27 And if someone speaks in a tongue, let it be limited to two or three at the most, and in turns; and let someone translate. 28 But if there be no translator, let him keep silent in the congregation and speak to himself and to God. 29 Further, let two or three prophets speak, and let the others discern the meaning. 30 But if there is a revelation to another one while sitting there, let the first one keep silent. 31 For YOU can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all be encouraged. 32 And [gifts of] the spirit of the prophets are to be controlled by the prophets. 33 For God is [a God], not of disorder, but of peace.
It very clearly states that when brothers came together in any congregation they had:
- teachings, which didn't come from the supposed GB in Jerusalem
- revelations, which we're to believe explained prophecy and didn't come from Jerusalem
- interpretations, which were locally provided and didn't come from Jerusalem
- prophets in the congregation, who were there for the encouragement of all in the congregation and had nothing to do with Jerusalem.
This definitely proves that congregations were basically independent and were guided directly by Jesus through holy spirit. This was happening to the Corinthians, not the guys in Jerusalem.
Just something I find interesting as extra argument for those claiming that Jerusalem was the center and fountain of all teachings in the first century.
Vivalavida