Another great section.  I also have been fascinated with the first Church Council described in Acts.  And I agree, their humility was a fantastic model that we all too often don't follow.

Bell's point about interpretations and baggage is crucial.  Congregations nearly come to blows at times because they can't see that this is what is happening in their midst - devoted Christians getting together but coming to different understandings of what Scripture is saying on a particular topic or issue.  The importance of Scripture as mediated in community is essential.  Our concept of 'personal faith' is really a dangerous one on a variety of levels.  We need the input of others, the validation, the edification, the correction that can only be had by submitting our ideas and interpretations to the community for feedback.

Of course, there is no guarantee that any sort of concensus or agreement will be reached.  Otherwise, we'd have just one Church still