The preceding introductory remarks have highlighted problems with past approaches employed in the investigation of development in the early church. They have also suggested alternative methods and considered both the hazards and potentials of such methods. In the following investigation, the proposed theoretical framework for interpretation will be applied to the New Testament texts. Development in Pauline communities will be studied in terms of the three levels of institutionalization:

1. Paul's letters (community-building institutionalization);

2. Colossians and Ephesians (community-stabilizing institutionalization); and

3. The Pastoral Epistles (community-protecting institutionalization).

These three stages will be compared in terms of four aspects of community life:

1. Attitudes to the world/ethics;

2. Ministry;

3. Ritual; and

4. Belief.