Of the approximately 300 Old Testament quotes in the New Testament, approximately 2/3 of them came from the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) which included the deuterocanonical books that the Protestants later removed. This is additional evidence that Jesus and the apostles viewed the deuterocanonical books as part of canon of the Old Testament. Some examples:
Matt. 3:3; Mark 1:3; John 1:23 / Isaiah 40:3 - make "His paths straight." Hebrew - make "level in the desert a highway."
Mark 7:6-8 Jesus quotes Isaiah 29:13 from the Septuagint This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.
Rom. 9:27 / Isaiah 10:22 - only a remnant of them "will be saved." Hebrew - only a remnant of them "will return."
1 Cor. 1:19 / Isaiah 29:14 - "I will destroy" the wisdom of the wise. Hebrew - wisdom of their wise men "shall perish."
God spoke to us through His chosen people. He promised them a Messiah. He came and spoke to us again. Rejoice in His message of Salvation!
Or the rabbi,priest or pastor who claims to have special privileged council with God and/or God's will?
The "he" are qualified "apostles" sent by the Church, not self-proclaimed men who thought that they could interpret the Scriptures AGAINST how Christendom interpreted them for 1500 years. WHY should someone believe that Luther is right, and 1500 years of Christendom are wrong? And for that matter, how can Pastor X KNOW his interpretation is right vs. Pastor Y across the street at a different denomination? God gave the Church the power to teach and preach to the world. He didn't promise to come individually to preach to each person. He left that to His Church.
I often wonder how much actual faith in God exists in any organized religion.
Read the lives of the saints...That is the faith that "organized religion" brings out. Don't judge a religion by those who are merely nominal practicioners. As to doctrinal "carping", consider reading the Gospels. Jesus, out of love, often times argued over doctrine with the Pharisees, trying to bring the truth to them. "The truth will set you free". And most people on this forum believe they have the truth.
Regards