[raygunfan]

protestants, they’re nothing if not predictable.

[metmom]

Like Catholics aren’t?

[Elsie]

protestants, they’re nothing if not predictable.

Catholics, they’re nothing if not gullable.

[imardmd1]

One does not have to be a protestant to disagree with Pope's interpretation of this passage. Anyone, using the whole context of the Bible, could see that. Furthermore, this vignette can be one of the strongest affirmations against supra-local-church authority available. What it shows is that Antioch's application of church discipline forced the Jerusalem church into admission of its shortcomings in applying Jesus' example and commands:

"But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall
of partition between us;
Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances;
for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity
thereby: . . ." (Eph. 2:13-16 AV).

And so they had to send out genuine representatives to acknowlege their coming into line wth the Scriptural template already laid out to the church at Antioch; that is, his gospel taught to him by The Christ, and NOT by the other disciple-apostles:

"But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ."
(Gal 1:11-12 AV).

The Jerusalem church was not the source of Paul's teaching of the doctrine of independence of each church from others, and their autonomous status. It was the gospel given to him apart from the Jerusalem congregation that was preached to, and followed by the early, predominantly Gentile, local churches. This is clearly seen in the New Testament local and general epistles.

They. were. not. protestants.

They were Bible believers, as it was effected amongst them through oral and written instructions.

[MayflowerMadam]

Protestants are “predictable”? Like that’s a bad thing? It just confirms that they are steadfast in the faith. That is the result of them basing their belief on God’s Word alone. It must be difficult to try to keep up with the dictates of MERE MEN each time a new guy with a weird hat shows up in Italy.

Catholics on FR are forever whining about the current pope. He’s just a guy. Focus on God as the Final Authority, forget the middle man — a human — and things will make more sense.