Irenaeus

They suffered. They fought. They died. But, the gospel spread because they did not give up. They might have given up their ghost but not their gospel. With such spirit, let us stand against every foe that would trouble us whether it is Docetism or Gnosticism.

St Ignatius of Antioch

No one seems to know just how the single pastor, assisted by the elders and deacons became the widespread pattern within the churches, but we know it did