NINE Why so much delay in compiling the New Testament? Prior to 397 A. D., the various books of the New Testament were not under one cover, but were in the custody of different groups or congregations. The persecutions against the Church, which had gained new intensity, prevented these New Testament books from being properly authenticated and placed under one cover. However, this important work was begun after Constantine gave peace to Christianity in 313 A.D., allowing it to be practiced in the Roman Empire. .COMMENT: This again shows how utterly impossible was the "Bible-only" theory, at least up to 400 A. D.
That seems to be saying "Since the churches didn't have the full Bible at their disposal, they must have had some other source of correct doctrine" (which you must think was some infallible information transmitted by word of mouth from the bishop of Rome or something??). That does not logically follow.
First, churches didn't need to have every single doctrine or historical fact. Did they need all the details about Paul's missionary journeys from Acts? Or course not. Second, they probably got things wrong.
A bunch of questions is not an answer.
“(which you must think was some infallible information transmitted by word of mouth from the bishop of Rome or something??).”
Not sure what ebb is trying to say, but I would point out that individual bishops were supposed to go around and ensure that the correct teachings were being taught and no deviations.
the individual patriarchs of each area - Rome, Jerusalem, Antioch and Alexandria (then Constantinople) also kept their individual bishops in line.