So how would you make sense of the following Scripture?
"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. "I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Mat 81:15-18
So where do you take your concerns? Which Church? This makes no sense whatsoever without the visible Church Christ established with teaching authority, and the power to loose and bind. Christians can’t even agree on what the meaning of the word “is” is.
The Church of the apostles was definitely one: "There is one body and one spirit," Paul wrote, "just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all" (Eph. 4:4-5). Paul linked this unity to the Church's common Eucharistic bread: "Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of one bread" (1 Cor. 10:17). Jesus had promised at the outset that "there would be one flock, one shepherd" (John 10:16).
Think about it. Would Christ establish his Church – to teach the way, the truth – and allow thousands of interpretation as to what is the truth? If the Church doesn’t teach the Truth, Christ is a liar. If He would allow multiple versions of Truth, he’d be an idiot. I don’t believe He is either.
Then one needs to determine what exactly comprises the “church”. It certainly isn’t the CC who claims to be the “church”. No true “church” would include pagan symbols and rituals in their worship of the One True God who condemns such practices and imagery. When God, throughout scripture, shows that He is the only Rock but the CC denies that and places that designation on a mere mortal it shows that the CC cannot possibly be the true “church”.
Why the body of believers of the congregation of the church where you attend..and of course to the scriptures and Jesus first and foremost. Simple.
I understand that you are Catholic. I have no problem with your choice.
I’m not Catholic or Protestant.
Here is how I would answer your concerns.
“If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; “
Physical local expression of the Universal Church. A local gathering of those who have received the Gospel of Grace and gather to fulfill the purposes commanded of believers.
“The Church of the apostles was definitely one”
Still is.
“Paul linked this unity to the Church’s common Eucharistic bread”
Still does.
“Jesus had promised at the outset that “there would be one flock, one shepherd” (John 10:16).”
Still is. He is still the Great Shepherd.
“Would Christ establish his Church – to teach the way, the truth – and allow thousands of interpretation as to what is the truth?”
He didn’t. The Gospel of Grace is always the Gospel of Grace.
He is more than able to police His Church - even removing them when necessary - as Revelations shows.
You worry about so much br’er.