I never denied that and the statements you make before this. I am defending the NECESSITY of having a VISIBLE Church so as to be able to even take into consideration Matthew 18. Certainly, Jesus clearly tells us through His parables and teachings that some "inside" the visible Church are not of the Elect. For example, see Mat 7:21.
Thus, even though the various churchs are divided by differing doctrines, if one is saved, there is unity among the individuals, not among the differing churches
There were NO "various" churches divided by doctrines in the Scriptures! What we have now is not what was present in Scriptures. The various communities shared the SAME faith and the SAME loaf. They shared in communion, they were one Body in more than just name. We do not share in communion. That is why we call Protestants "separated brothers". Sure, we are united in many things, but on some essentials, we disagree. We do not all recognize the Lord in the Breaking of the Bread.
With that said, the Church accurately considers that individual Protestants can be united to the Catholic Church - while the entire community is not. There are a lot of unwitting Catholics and a lot of "Catholics" who are not...
Regards
Did I deny the necessity of having a visible church?
Since you admit that unbelievers can be part of that visible church, then just being a member of any visible church does not mean one is saved.
However, if one is a member of Christ's spiritual church (Body, Bride) then he must be saved since that only occurs when the Holy Spirit brings it about after faith in Christ (1Cor.12:13)
Thus, even though the various churchs are divided by differing doctrines, if one is saved, there is unity among the individuals, not among the differing churches There were NO "various" churches divided by doctrines in the Scriptures! What we have now is not what was present in Scriptures. The various communities shared the SAME faith and the SAME loaf. They shared in communion, they were one Body in more than just name. We do not share in communion. That is why we call Protestants "separated brothers". Sure, we are united in many things, but on some essentials, we disagree. We do not all recognize the Lord in the Breaking of the Bread.
Well, the Protestants do recognize the Lord when the break bread.
What they do not recognize is what the Romanists have said the bread becomes (God Himself).
Now, since Judas 'broke bread' with Christ Himself and was not saved, the breaking of Bread cannot be the source of unity, but only an outward manifestion of that unity (like water baptism).
The true unity must come from the spiritual unity that exists when each individual is united to Christ and thus, becomes 'brother and sister' in the Lord.
Doctrinal differences cannot change that fact.
With that said, the Church accurately considers that individual Protestants can be united to the Catholic Church - while the entire community is not. There are a lot of unwitting Catholics and a lot of "Catholics" who are not...
No, individual Protestants are united to Christ not the Catholic Church (funny how you guys keep confusing the two).
There may even be saved Catholics, who have received Christ by faith alone and still remain part of the RCC.
In that case, they also are united with the Protestant believers spiritually.
That goes even for Mormons and JW's who despite what their churches teach, are saved.
Many of these received the Gospel as children in other Protestant churches, and could have been saved then.
Regards
Likewise.