In the first century, a small group, "the apostles and elders in Jerusalem," served as a governing body to make important decisions on behalf of the entire anointed Christian congregation.
Tshigwada tshi langaho tsha ḓanani ḽa u thoma ḽa miṅwaha tsho vha tshi tshiṱuku, tsho vha tsho vhumbwa nga 'vhaapostola na vhahulwane ngei Yerusalema' nahone tsho vha tshi tshi ita phetho dza ndeme dzine dza kwama tshivhidzo tshoṱhe tsha Vhakriste vho ḓodzwaho.