What is the doctrinal or Scriptural basis for a central Church authority? As explained in a previous question, one Baptist Distinctive is the rejection of a central Church authority (whether an individual or a governing body).  Instead, we hold fast to the autonomy of the local Church.

This has been my view, and coming from this perspective, I wonder what the doctrinal basis is for having a central authority.  This could be answered from the perspective of any denomination that does have a central authority.  This is not intended to be an argument for or against the validity of any claim.  I would, however, ask that the responses be supported, either by scriptures, or by official Church statements, or other supporting documentation.

I realize that different groups may have different, or common answers, and that there may not be one "right" answer, but rather several "right" answers.  If I need to pick a denomination for the question to be valid, I will certainly do so.
A good article about the nature and structure of the Church according to Catholic doctrine can be found here. In short the Catholic view is:


The Church was instituted by Christ as one organization, not many
The church was hierarchic from the beginning. Local churches frequently sought approval from the central authority (the Apostles) even in Apostolic times, and church leaders were appointed by leaders from outside the local congregation.


The Anglican church disagreed with the Catholic church not on the desirability of a central organization, but only on whether national churches should be answerable to the worldwide church.