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Originally Posted by RusCrimson
That's a bit factually erroneous, I think. Because there were underground Churches, it was not structured and organized in the same way that the more 'hierarchical' Churches are today. However there were structures and authorities, even in the early times. There was mention of bishops and deacons, and a substantial part of the New Testament consists of letters to Churches demoninated by the community in which they were located.
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It was not organized as it is with so many groups today because it was underground (and I don't deny there were some that were) but because it was not the plan. Indeed, there are authorities in each local congregation--bishops or elders (there are six English words that mean the same office)--but they were to rule over the flock that was among them (1 Pet. 5). Deacons are not authorities, but rather servants of a congregation; I've served in that capacity. There were several congregations that functioned openly--the Thessolonians come to mind immediately, as did the church in Corinth. The Biblical structure works whether or not a group is meeting openly or underground.
And yes, a substantial part of the NT is comprised of the letters to the various churches, but there's nothing to indicate they were denominations as we see them today and as defined in my previous note. If you used the word "designated," we'd be on the same page.