The book has not always existed. The Church is older than the Bible. If one is not saved through the Church - than the Bible cannot save anyone. The bible derives it’s authority from the Church not the other way around.
Is that the official RCC position?
The book has not always existed. The Church is older than the Bible. If one is not saved through the Church - than the Bible cannot save anyone. The bible derives it’s authority from the Church not the other way around.
Then why do Catholics quote Scripture to give the Church and Peter their authority? You can't have it both ways. That which is of lessor authority cannot impart greater authority to someone or something else.
If the Catholic church is what gives Scripture its authority, then it cannot legitimately use Scripture to validate its teachings.
The RCC should then, at that point, at least have the integrity to admit that their claims to authority as simply based on their say so.
He said, smugly.
Absolutely untrue...The Christian knows his authority is God's words, the words spoken by God...The church is the result of God's words...God's words in the New Testament were first oral, then written...
Christians are added to the church as they are saved...
It is clear that the words of God give the Catholic religion zero authority and in fact condemn your religion...Apparently that's why you guys reject the words of God as more authoritative than your religion...
The words of God stand forever. Not one jot or tittle will pass away. Heaven and earth will pass away but the word of God will never pass away. The practice of writing down the revelation of God was in force WAY before there was a church in Rome - before Christ even came to earth there were the established Holy Scriptures. The words and teachings of Jesus - while here as well as after he ascended - were enscripturated so that ALL believers would have an infallible and objective source for the rule of the Christian faith long after the Apostles were gone to their heavenly reward. That's really what the "canon" meant - a rule of faith - and it contained the written documents inspired by God to holy men who He directed to write His words. It is utter nonsense to claim the "church" is older than Holy Scripture. Your subtle twist of words notwithstanding, the Bible is simply the collection of the books that are Divinely-inspired and ordained by God to be recognized as FROM God and given to man. The writings that make up the New Testament were added to the already established collection of books inspired by the SAME Holy Spirit and the Apostles handed over to the churches the revelation from God as each book was completed and, because they came from the Apostles, their authority was accepted. Those who refused to accept the authority of Scripture were ostracized by their church unless and until they submitted to the rule of faith as defined in Scripture.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the "Power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes". The Bible has intrinsic authority because Holy men of God spoke as they were moved along by the Holy Spirit, it does not derive its authority from men who presume to be above the word of God. As long as the church remains the buttress and support of the truth as God has revealed it to us in His word, they have a mission and ministry of reconciliation. When a church perverts the Gospel, they no longer have a part in this work of God and, instead, are accursed by God.