I agree. Dinfiong and loosing refers to legislating. The Key refetrs to access to heaven, -- saving souls. The Catohlic teaching is that while the bishops are all with legislative and teaching authority, only the Pope can legislate on matters of salvation directly. This is consistent in how the powers to bind and loose are given twice to both Peter and the apostles, and the keys to Peter only.
Tell that to the the millions who exist in exactly such structures.
Yes, that is exactly what I am telling them: that communities of faith outside of the hierarchical structures of the apostlic Church cannot fulfill the task given in Matthew 18:17. Instead, they fracture Christianity into "denominations". But, "Is Christ divided?".
But, you don't see him in any kind of a formal hierarchical role
You don't see because you don't look. Timothy and Titus he consecrated as bishops and instructed how to run the local church they are heading up. to corinthinas he shows the "rod". You can spin it away from formal authority, and indeed Paul is a kind man, but it is spin. We see heirarchy, pleanty of it in Corinthians, and in acts, and in Timothy and Titus.
early bishops did not yield to Rome
Pope No. 3 was St. Clement, and he wrote to the same wayward Corinthians one generation after St. Paul, and told them to get their act together. Nopw Clement was in Rome, and St. John was in Ephesus, and a living apostle too. Still Clement exercised papal authority over his head.
Why do we need a third party?
Because Christ set it up this way. In the Gospel he put together the apostolic college and told them to shepherd His flock. If Christ wanted to send the Holy Spirit individually to every beleiver, He certainly could have done so. He didn't.
What evidence?
Peter's tomb. See the link I gave you. Here it is again: St. Peter and Rome
Scripture is where the living Word is revealed
If so, the Scripture would tell us so. It doesn't. Christ did not give us a book. He gave us the Church. That is in the Scripture. (On Holy Scripture and Holy Tradition)
I hope that you've enjoyed the discussion
Of course. Thank you.
Some of your answers grieve me. we do not need a human being to legislate on matters of salvation. Salvation is the Father's to give and the Bible says whom the Father has given Christ in salvation, Christ will lose nothing.
Friend, Rome has you brainwashed. I looked at your link before. It MAY give evidence to Peter's having been in Rome, but no contemporary sources speak of it.
The saddest part of your answer is concerning the Holy Spirit. He most certainly DID give the Holy Spirit to every believer.
John 7:38-40
38He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
39(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.
Acts 2:4
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Ephesians 1:13
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise
Ephesians 4:30
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
1 Thessalonians 4:8
He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.
John 14:16
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
John 14:26
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
John 15:26
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
John 16:7
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.