iv. 33. "As many as were possessors of lands or houses, sold them, and
brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at
the apostles' feet," Acts iv. 34, 35, 37. "Then the twelve called the
multitude of the disciples to them," Acts vi. 2. "Now, when the apostles
which were at Jerusalem," Acts viii. 14. "They determined that Paul and
Barnabas and certain other of them should go up to Jerusalem unto the
apostles and elders about this question. And when they were come to
Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and
elders; and the apostles and elders came together," Acts xv. 2, 4, 6,
22, 23; xi. 30. And "in those days came prophets from Jerusalem unto
Antioch," Acts xi. 27. In all which places, the multitude of apostles,
elders, and prophets in this church of Jerusalem is evident. And it is
further observable, that the apostles devolved the serving of tables
upon the seven deacons, that they might wholly "give themselves to
prayer and the ministry of the word," Acts vi, 2; which needed not, nor
would there have been full employment for the apostles, if there had
not been divers congregations in that one church of Jerusalem.

_Except_. 'Tis true, the apostles were for a time in Jerusalem, yet when
in Judea or elsewhere any received the gospel, the apostles went abroad
to erect other churches.

_Ans_. Touching the apostles going abroad, there can be given but one
instance, Acts viii. 14, where the whole twelve went not forth, but only
two were sent, viz. Peter and John: but suppose it were granted, that
upon some special occasions the apostles went out from Jerusalem, can it
be imagined that the apostles' ordinary abode would be at Jerusalem, to
attend only one single congregation, as if that would fill all their
hands with work?