That's a bit difficult to do as there is little that is set in a cut and clear system. There is a pattern laid out throughout Acts and the epistles.
1) They met primarily in homes. We meet primarily in large buildings (churches). This could have been because of persecution. It could have been because of low funds. It could have been because Jesus didn't need one (or recommend one) so they saw no need for it.
From my understanding, they performed the Sabbath prayers in temples, but there isn't major recording of which building (aside from the Cenacle where the last supper was had).
2) They gave all or as each had need. Even when they were told to gather the offering once a week, there was no mention of an amount. There was also no mention of it being required. They were told to give alms from what they had.
Most churches that I remember ever did this. Granted, I've been to so many different kinds, but the ones I especially knew well of since I was old enough to consider my faith more seriously were Presbyterian, Non-Denominational, and Catholic. None of them ever had a requirement otherwise that could be considered extortion.
3) There was no formal training. The first disciples were uneducated and unlearned yet they changed the world (that hated them) by being obedient to Jesus. I have been referred to where Paul wrote Timothy to study to show himself approved. Paul was referring to scripture, and he wrote "approved unto God". He did not write "Go to an institution of learning" or "be approved unto man".
Training for Christ Himself, I'd say, is the most formal training one could have because it comes directly from God in the flesh. Each of the disciples went on to become bishops, and each of them trained others, and so on. While the university system wasn't put into place until much later, the training did exist and it would have been regarded as very formal.
4) They acted on the belief that it was their responsibility to take care of those who could not take care of themselves (widows and orphans). We have almost entirely delegated this to the government.
This is still Christian practice taught proper, although the Christian teaching is that it should especially be a help to the soul than to the body, and even the government is so frequently at odds with the Church (especially in other countries and eras).
5) They met often (daily) not just 1-3 times a week. No importance was placed on one day as being more important than another. Every day was to be spent in prayer, worship, and obedience.
Granted not all denominations have daily worship (other than home devotionals), some churches do daily worship. Catholics aren't the only ones who do, but speaking on the Catholic behalf, that is a very major part of being sincere in faith since. Not only does it take place daily, but for some parishes, it may be 3-5 times every day.
6) We expect one person to perform oversight for hundreds of people. We are not told anything about this in the New Testament. Everywhere the apostles went they appointed "elders". They did not appoint a head pastor, assistant pastor, music minister, or any other form of hierarchy. Nothing states that one elder was over another.
I'm having trouble with this one -- is this more in regards to the title than the positions?
When we go to church we are one of many. We can go there and make an appearance or get our spiritual food and never contribute. The bible tells us that all Christians are given 'gifts of the Spirit'. In allowing people to fade into the background we allow them to hide from what the Spirit is calling them to do. A few pastors cannot truly disciple people that they do not fully interact with. When the groups are smaller there is less chance to hide and more chance for people to know each other. When you know someone you know when they are hurting, when they are being persecuted, when they are falling into sin, and you can see the impact/blessing someone has on others (and themselves) when they use the gifts that the spirit has given them.
Putting mega churches aside for the moment, many parishes that are larger tend to hold more need for a larger staff and rectory. When I go to the National Basilica, there is a swarm of priests toward the front because so many people go there. When I go to my home parish, there are only three priests since it's a much smaller group. And while it is the church leader's responsibility to reach out to his parishioners, it's also the parishioner's responsibility to do to God's will and listen to the wisdom that is being delivered. This tradition existed long before Christianity was brought to fruition under the Jewish tradition.
Paul often only knew of backsliders when he was told of them by the elders of the churches. Paul could not watch all these people. It is worth noting that he did not try. He responded to threats to the church (body of believers) and to those failings he was told of. He did not try to run himself ragged watching everyone. Jesus chose 12 men to be His disciples. Yes he did have many more, but he made a point of setting aside twelve people for close instruction. If Jesus did this then what business do have telling one person that they are in charge of dozens, hundreds, or more. I can do amazing things by letting the spirit use me, but I AM NOT JESUS. Jesus was God in the flesh and he chose ONLY twelve for direct discipleship. If we expect one person to disciple hundreds, that person will fail.
The reason why there were 12 original disciples isn't because it was an arbitrary number. It's because of the 12 tribes of Israel and each one played a role of fulfilling those tribes. That's why when Judas betrayed Our Lord, they didn't say "Well, we've got 11 now." Judas had a replacement, Matthias.
Each of them didn't go off into their diocese and preside as acting bishops without training other men into the life of discipleship and bishophood. They had many people who worked beside them, like Ignatius of Antioch, Clement, Timothy, Linus, Anacletus, etc. etc. But even look at Christ as the root since his work wasn't done alone, which is why he had the original 12. This wasn't to say he couldn't have done it without them, but he used them because there would continue to be a use after his ascension.
There are many mature believers that are not afforded the opportunity for speaking on what they have been shown (to the body or to individuals) because of the time requirements and because of misinterpretation of what the bible says about order in the church. We know that all were given the chance to speak in the first church. The benefits of this can be enormous. The Spirit may well have shown you something that I have yet to learn. There are few things more awesome than learning more about Jesus and what he has shown us. This also allows people to speak things that are not of God. This is another area where accountability comes in. A person may be new in faith and have made a mistake or been told something wrong by a false teacher. The Holy Spirit knows itself and what came from itself. Those that have learned to listen more closely (mature believers) need to correct, admonish, and encourage others whose hearing is still congested by more background noise.
Well, this is definitely one of the dangers of having tens of thousands of different denominations, and today, that is just a reality...misinterpretation can happen very easily and heresies can develop and even become popular -- and each side will claim that they have been divinely inspired to believe what they believe even when it contradicts what the other divinely inspired person may say. So you're right in that a spiritual maturity is very important because that immaturity can lead people away, even if they think they are closer than ever.
