Matt. 16:18 - Jesus says, “I will build my “Church” (not churches).
What other Churches do you think Christ was talking about?
Matt. 16:19; 18:18 - Jesus gave the apostles binding and loosing authority. But this authority requires a visible Church because “binding and loosing” are visible acts. The Church cannot be invisible, or it cannot bind and loose.
So, Jesus gave authority to bind or destroy certain things
“”Then how, pray tell, do you intend to enforce it?””
Education and Prayer and not being afraid of persecution to publicly speak out against evil
If it saves even one soul it is worthwhile to lay down your life for them if it leads them away from evil.
“”I am a great sinner, and I am in no position to sit in personal judgment of anyone. “”
I am too and it is only through extreme humility that Christ can even begin to use me.
“”Constantine commanded that the writings of Arius and his friends should everywhere be delivered up to be burned; concealment of them was forbidden under pain of death””
Constantine was not part of the Magesterium of the Church and was branded a heretic by the Early Church fathers( I can provide the writings that prove this if you wish) because he did not believe in the Divinity of Christ.
Constantine only legalized Christianity and thankfully he was only baptized on his deathbed.
It’s been over 2000 years and the catholic Church still stands as the Pillar and foundation of truth. The Gates of hell has not prevailed just as Christ promised
Isa. 35:8, 54:13-17 - this prophecy refers to the Church as the Holy Way where sons will be taught by God and they will not err. The Church has been given the gift of infallibility when teaching about faith and morals, where her sons are taught directly by God and will not err. This gift of infallibility means that the Church is prevented from teaching error by the power of the Holy Spirit (it does not mean that Church leaders do not sin!)
Constantine did more than that.. He forced the population of pagans to become christians by force if need be.. which demanded priests like they had before.. You know to organize everything..
Which the population didnt seem to care much since they worshiped idols anyway.. more or less.. I suspect less. The romans were known (many) to adopt the gods of the people they conquered takeing the problem of my god(roman gods) against your god out of the picture, somwhat. That way the conquered didnt rebel as much..
Constantine forced christ on pagans as the State sponsored religion.. Roman christianity then became somewhat nominal for most all but not all.. Nominal christians today are more or less about the same.. ceremonial acts of show.. the flesh masquerading as spirit.,
So, Jesus gave authority to bind or destroy certain things
Even if you take that passage as the establishment of infallible Petrine authority, nowhere does it say "destroy."
ZS: Then how, pray tell, do you intend to enforce it?
SFA: Education and Prayer and not being afraid of persecution to publicly speak out against evil
If it saves even one soul it is worthwhile to lay down your life for them if it leads them away from evil.
Well said, and that's exactly what we are called to do as Christians (and I fall far short.) This has nothing to do with violent and destructive censorship.
Constantine was not part of the Magesterium of the Church and was branded a heretic by the Early Church fathers( I can provide the writings that prove this if you wish) because he did not believe in the Divinity of Christ.
I'm well aware, but the "pain of death" part stuck out at me. Did the Roman Catholic Church oppose the death penalty then as it does now?