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First rule of interpreting scripture (or ANY literature for that matter) - context. Taking a single verse, regardless of where you find it, without looking at the context is VERY dangerous. Another important concept in interpreting is language. One thing many people do not understand about New Testament Greek - the grammar rules are very different from modern English. Yet the translations deemed by many to be "the most accurate" - primarily because they are more "word-for-word" - can cause issues as well. Doesn't mean they are wrong - just that they complicate the matter. And one has to look at how the Bible as a whole (it never contradicts itself, despite what those who choose to try to say to the contrary) deals with the subject. How does Paul refer nearly every time to "church" (ekklēsia)? As a particular local institution. While this only partially is connected to the initial debate - it is another building block. What was the structure of "The Church" in the earliest days? Paul returned and reported back to those in Jerusalem - but the Bible doesn't in any way say that one particular church was over the others. There was a somewhat co-operative effort to send missionaries throughout the world (the Great Commission), but no church is isolated as a dominant or controlling church. An interesting piece of history - the term "Pope" started to be used in reference to the Bishop of Rome around the 4th Century. This coincided with vastly increased political power related to the Roman authorities (secular). There was quite a bit of dissent from some high-profile leaders within the Catholic Church, one very notable dissident was Cyprian of Carthage - who essentially paid with his life. Yet at some point later in Catholic history - that same-said "heretic" was canonized and is now tagged as a "Saint". There's another interesting word - Saint. Again, the New Testament's use of the term varies significantly from the RCC's use. The New Testament writers use the term to describe believers in general at a specific location. Just some interesting stuff. And boy, have we hijacked this thread!