The early church adopted the procedure of letters of recommendation to assure the orthodoxy and trustworthiness of itinerant ministers. There were no acceptable places for traveling missionaries and church leaders to stay, so local Christians had to open their homes. It was crucial to know who was an acceptable leader, preacher, teacher and who was not.
Here are some examples from various parts of the NT.
SPECIAL TOPIC: ORTHODOXY OF THE PASTORALS
Copyright © 2022 Bible Lessons International