Without belief in the Eucharist as the true body and blood of Christ the rest is all inconsequential. Without Petrine authority, every Tom. Dick, and Harry and their grandmother gets to interpret the “Word of God” as “they” see fit and sometimes with deadly consequences like with the faiths of the Jim Jones and David Koresh, or those who use Scripture to avoid medical treatment for their ailing children.
Yep, with freedom comes responsibility. But don’t worry. You can trust God to steer you straight, assuming one prays for wisdom.
I firmly believe in YOPIOS. It’s what’s for breakfast!
“Without Petrine authority...”
Well, with “Petrine authority”, you are misled into believing falsehoods that you aren’t allowed to question. No thanks, I could become a Mormon or Jehovah’s Witness if I wanted that.
I love Psalm 119 and the great love that David had for the God's word, how he prayed for God to give him greater understanding of his word and how he searched the word for the truth.
vs. 11-12 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.”
vs.123-125 “Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness. Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes. I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies...
Vs. 139-140 “My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words. Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.”
We too can look to God's Holy Spirit to reveal his truth through his word.
John 16:13-15 “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.”
That's what the Bearean’s did. Acts 17:10-11 “And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” They did not accept Paul's interpretation out of hand instead the studied the scriptures daily to see if what he said matched the Book.
How great a gift to have access to the author to understand His Book. II Peter 1:20-21 “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.