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"There are millions and millions of Bible-believing Christians who have never been “Protestant” (at least not in the Geneva sense of the word), and the same number who have a history (or better, heritage) never connected with Catholicism (by the Vatican definition, especially)."

Really??? Who were they?? And prove it from the historical record. There were a lot of HERETICS around back then, but are you sure you want to hitch your wagon to their beliefs???

One must read outside of the Vatican's selected reading list of historical data. Heretics — many there really were. But there have been many CALLED heretics merely because they wouldn't kiss a fellow's ring, you know.

All outside of the Communion of Rome are heretics. I'm a heretic, every pastor and church member in my town is a heretic (cause there are no Catholic churches in my town). We ain't got a chance, us Anathematized wee folk. We are damned, headed for Hell by the councils of Catholicism.

It is just too easy to throw the word “heretic” around.

Now, if there are people like me today, then there is a 100% probability that there were people just like me in 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350 AD. We have the Scriptures, we evangelize people by preaching the Gospel of the Grace of God, we plant independent and autonomous congregations of believers. We were converted to Jesus Christ by the preaching of the Bible, found that it works (the Holy Ghost still works), and we know Christ personally; we have Him residing within — and we KNOW it. It is impossible that there were not such from the days of the Apostles.

There are plenty of histories written by both Christian and secular historians that document autonomous local Christian congregations all over Asia Minor and up through the Caucuses, and even eastward long before Nicea.

People who want the history will find it. I am in a Japanese coffee shop in Shanghai at the moment and I haven't had access to my personal library for 18 months now. There is a good set on the History of the Christian Church published in Pensacola, Florida, that I will recommend to any (including you, WW) who will send me a private response. I'll start with that one.