Unfortunately, this definition of ‘the church’ cannot be true, unless Christ is a liar. Look at the Church in context of Scripture.
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Mat 5:14-15
So here Christ says His Church will be visible.
“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Mat 6:18
Here Christ says his Church will not be destroyed.
“I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 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.” John 16:12-13
“But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.” 1Tim 3:15
Here Christ says, and Paul reaffirms, that the Church will always teach the TRUTH.
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."Mat 28:18-20
Again, here Jesus assures us that He is always with us, to the very end.
So Christ says His Church will not be destroyed or fall away from him, that the Holy Spirit will guide the Church to always teach the Truth, and He will always be with us. The church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth is much more than a collection of nice people who read a Bible and believe anything they want.
Or, you don't have a clue what Jesus was talking about....
Jesus was talking to Jewish disciples...Not a Roman Catholic Gentile in the bunch...Jesus was speaking to individuals, not a Roman Catholic church...THAT is the context...
What about the rest of the chapter...It's all the same context...
Mat 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Does that verse describe YOU??? And the others that go along with it???
Here Christ says his Church will not be destroyed.
No He didn't...Jesus said the 'gates of Hell' would not prevail against it...
“But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.” 1Tim 3:15,/i>
The Living God is the pillar and ground of the truth, not some man-made religion...
“I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 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.” John 16:12-13
Jesus was not talking to the Catholic church...Jesus was neither speaking to just the Apostles or disciples...The Holy Spirt did not come to show truth to the Catholic church...
The discourse starts in chapter 14, for those that own a bible...
Joh 14:22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
Joh 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
If a man love me...Not a church...Not a pope, cardinal, bishop or priest...Not an Apostle...A man...Any man...Any man that loves God...
So Christ says His Church will not be destroyed or fall away from him, that the Holy Spirit will guide the Church to always teach the Truth, and He will always be with us. The church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth is much more than a collection of nice people who read a Bible and believe anything they want.
A guy can prove anything by the scripture if he mis-quotes enough scriptures...
“Here Christ says, and Paul reaffirms, that the Church will always teach the TRUTH.”
No, the “church” isn’t teaching the truth. It is rare that a church teaches truth today. Christ did NOT say that nor did Paul affirm that.
The church is falling away, today. The Bible teaches this:
2Thes.2:3
[3] Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
2Tim.4:3
[3] For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
“The “church” is just people who have been saved by Jesus Christ. That is all the “church” is - Christian people; and as nice as Christian people are, they have no power to save anyone.
Unfortunately, this definition of ‘the church’ cannot be true, unless Christ is a liar. Look at the Church in context of Scripture. “
The Scriptures you posted don’t prove your point at all. They say NOTHING about a building or an institution. The “church” has always been and always will be the “people”. No apostolic succession, no pope, no institutionalize ritual, simply the shepherd and the flock ministering to each other and the world. Seems to be a point missed by many, not just Catholics.