“If you can prove it from God’s Word”
Where does scripture receive its endorsement and how was it selected and identified as authentic and thus worthy of belief? It was by the authority first and foremost of men consecrated by Jesus Christ and subsequently those consecrated by those men.
Thus, I can show you where in scripture it says to trust the leaders of the church but you cannot even show where the scriptures say that the written word is to be trusted above God’s prophets and teachers.
So stop pontificating in such fashion and take notice the wisdom and sanctity of leaders of the church (of whom, incidentally, “Francis” (Mr. Jorge Bergoglio) is not a part).
Paul urged the church to imitate himself in his virtue and pursuit and zeal for Jesus Christ. It’s a little simplistic to pit the Holy Bible against all the authoritative leaders whom Christ established with great wisdom and often miracles and always with consistency of doctrine including consistent with all that Jesus Christ said, taught, and did.
It is a little smug and shortsighted to assume that you can safely curl up in front of the fire and read the Holy Bible and you are safe, without the aid of the Church to interpret it properly. (Ask the apostle Paul, he is the one who according to the words of the New Testament, said that those who interpret the Scriptures on their own are in error.)
I’m not debating you today. I’m sick of hearing and thinking about the pope of Rome. However, you need to know the Bible says that all who are being saved are taught by God, not taught by the church. I trust Him to lead and guide me, not Rome. There’s no wisdom or sanctity in Babylon.
Christ said:
“It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me—”
(John 6:45)