Vital doctrinal matters were referred to a central governing body located in Jerusalem. The governing body was initially made up of the apostles of Jesus Christ but was later extended to include older men of the congregation in Jerusalem.
शुरू में तो इस शासी निकाय में यीशु मसीह के प्रेरित हुआ करते थे मगर बाद में इसमें यरूशलेम की कलीसिया के दूसरे प्राचीन भी शामिल किए गए ।