-— Thus before arguing Scripture with RCs, the very basis for their assurance should be exposed and examined. -—
“If he will not listen to the church, treat him as a pagan or tax collector.” —Jesus
The Lord said this while he was living. Jesus could have said, “If he will not listen to ME.” So Christ’s Church must teach with His authority.
Did Christ’s visible Church pass away? Did the gates of hell prevail against it?
Then Thank GOD! for Luther!
You fail to see that the issue is not that of the church having authority, and i affirmed that Scripture provides for the church, not replace it, but the issue us that of a claim to assured veracity, and correct judgment, which is the basis for RC assurance.
The Lord by His Spirit also enjoined obedience to civil rulers, (Rm. 13:1-7; 1Pet. 2:13,14)but that such, or the magisterium in particular as the steward of Scripture, etc., is infallible, and superior authority than Scripture, so that only the teachings or persons the magisterium sanctions have spiritual authority, is not what Scripture teaches
For if it did then it would condemn prophets and the Lord Himself, as He was in rebellion against those who sat in the seat of Moses.
And in contrast to to the premise of a supreme assuredly correct magisterium being the basis for assurance, the church began because souls had assurance that an itinerant Preacher was of God (and God), as He established His claims upon Scriptural substantiation, in word and in power.
The magisterium is to recognize and affirm such, but even if it does not, men of God as still of God regardless, as the apostles were despite the rejection by those to whom the Lord also had enjoined conditional obedience to. (Mt. 23:2)
Those who presume of themselves above that which written, such as claiming a level of authority and veracity that discourages objective examination of teachings in order to ascertain their truthfulness, will end of persecuting true men of God, and are destined to lose their validity.