Re: The Early Christians: In Their Own Words

Therefore, Tertullian did not count teachers as administrators – overseers,

elders, or deacons – but rather among the leaders gifted with the Spirit. 
In his time these were the martyrs. Tertullian regarded them as witnesses 
of the prophetic Spirit. They could be disowned by the church only if
their 
deeds did not match their words, or if arrogant confidence in themselves 
robbed God of his honor. Otherwise, teachers were subordinate only to the 
higher orders of the prophets and apostles, because to these the Spirit 
entrusted the specific gift of insight and discernment. All teaching 
inspired by the Spirit was bound to have the character and witness of the 
Spirit, and no other content. The undisputed power and authority of the 
witnesses – shaken and filled by the Spirit of God – could never allow 
human instruments to become the deciding factor. Only the spirit of Christ

was allowed to prevail.