[SoConPubbie]

The Bible is NOT EVER shown as something given to each individual of the community. If you want to follow how the early Church did things, then you ARE to comply with the leaders of the community.

While I have not argument with your statement that the Bible is here because of the Catholic Church, I do take umbrage at your statement "then you ARE to comply with the leaders of the community".

God is gracious, righteous, omnipotent, and merciful, and if the Catholic Church had failed, God would have still found a way to get his Word into the hands of the common man.

Jesus came to give salvation directly to the individual, with or without a priest, pastor, or Pope.

[stfassisi]

God is gracious, righteous, omnipotent, and merciful, and if the Catholic Church had failed

You're correct that God is gracious,omnipotent, and merciful,dear friend,but He could not create a church that failed and the ONLY church that is still standing since our Blessed Lord was crucified is the Catholic Church as our Lord has promised