There has been in my present denomination a rapid disintegration of episcopal government and a swift move toward more congregationalism. Is this because of a Biblical mandate or because of a lack of adherence to the history and tradition of the Church? In other words, what would the Early Church have to say about such a move?
A good place to begin searching is the writing of Saint Clement of Rome. In his Epistle to the Church at Corinth observe the following:
Christ therefore was sent forth by God, and the apostles by Christ. Both these appointments, then, were made in an orderly way, according to the will of God. Having therefore received their orders, and being fully assured by the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, and established in the word of God, with full assurance of the Holy Ghost, they went forth proclaiming that the kingdom of God was at hand. And thus preaching through countries and cities, they appointed the first-fruits [of their labours], having first proved them by the Spirit, to be bishops and deacons of those who should afterwards believe. Nor was this any new thing, since indeed many ages before it was written concerning bishops and deacons. For thus saith the Scripture in a certain place, “I will appoint their bishops in righteousness, and their deacons in faith.” [ANF 1:14, ch. XLII]
But bishops appointed by the Apostles can only govern for so long. Who was to take over after them? Who would be the next generation of church government? Clement does not leave us to wonder or speculate.
Our apostles also knew, through our Lord Jesus Christ, and there would be strife on account of the office of the episcopate. For this reason, therefore, inasmuch as they had obtained a perfect fore-knowledge of this, they appointed those [ministers] already mentioned, and afterwards gave instructions, that when these should fall asleep, other approved men should succeed them in their ministry. We are of opinion, therefore, that those appointed by them, or afterwards by other eminent men, with the consent of the whole Church, and who have blamelessly served the flock of Christ in a humble, peaceable, and disinterested spirit, and have for a long time possessed the good opinion of all, cannot be justly dismissed from the ministry. [ANF 1: 17, ch. 44]
The reason Clement writes to Corinth is because there has been a rebellion against the godly leaders and others have been installed in their place. St. Clement takes a very dim view of such activity.
For our sin will not be small, if we eject from the episcopate those who have blamelessly and holily fulfilled its duties. [ANF 1:17, ch. 44]
While at this early period there seems to be an almost synonymous use of the word presbyter (priest) and bishop, it is clear that the church was indeed governed by bishops. They were the overseers of the work of God. While the congregation played a part in the approval process of bishops, there was no thought of the congregation dismissing the bishop because they didn’t like him or his policies. According to Clement, there was only one reason for a bishop to be deposed: if he did not blamelessly and holily fulfill his duties.
St. Clement exhorts the rebellious with these words:
Ye therefore, who laid the foundation of this sedition, submit yourselves to the presbyters, and receive correction so as to repent, bending the knees of your hearts. Learn to be subject, laying aside the proud and arrogant self-confidence of your tongue. For it is better for you that ye should occupy a humble but honourable place in the flock of Christ, than that, being highly exalted, ye should be cast out from the hope of His people.
These words may not be what the more congregationally minded want to hear today but then again the rebellious probably didn’t care to hear them in 95 A.D. when they were written.
