Notwithstanding the fact that Paul was personally taught by God, he had no strained ideas of individual responsibility. While looking to God for direct guidance, he was ever ready to recognize the authority vested in the body of believers united in church fellowship. He felt the need of counsel, and when matters of importance arose, he was glad to lay these before the church and to unite with his brethren in seeking God for wisdom to make right decisions. Even "the spirits of the prophets," he declared, "are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints." 1 Corinthians 14:32, 33. With Peter, he taught that all united in church capacity should be "subject one to another." 1 Peter 5:5.

Trods den kendsgerning, at Paulus selv var oplært af Gud, mente han ikke, at sagen skulle afgøres på en enkelt mands ansvar. Skønt han så hen til Gud for at få direkte ledelse, var han altid rede til at anerkende autoriteten i skikkelse af de samlede troende, forenede i et kirkefællesskab. Han følte, at han trængte til råd, og når vigtige spørgsmål kom på bane, var han glad ved at kunne forelægge menigheden dem og i fællesskab med sine medbrødre søge visdom fra Gud for at kunne tage de rette afgørelser. Selv "profeters ånder er jo profeter lydige," sagde han, "thi Gud er ikke forvirringens, men fredens Gud, ligesom i alle de helliges menigheder." 1Kor. 14,32-33. Ligesom Peter lærte han, at alle, der er forenede ved deres stilling indenfor menigheden, burde "underordne sig under hinanden." 1Pet. 5,5.