An important Scriptural precept is right here:
Acts 15:28
“For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us.”
From nearly the beginning, the Church has made reliable declarations of matters of faith and morals under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We think this is at least part of what John 20:21-23 is about.
(Excellent! I agree with that wholeheartedly!)
From nearly the beginning, the Church has made reliable declarations of matters of faith and morals under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We think this is at least part of what John 20:21-23 is about.
Hmmm...and was it only the Apostels and the Elders in the church, or did it include the whole church in Acts 15 account? In the RCC, do any of the dogmas and doctrines have the votes of the whole membership, or is it just the Hierarchy of the church - especially knowing that the majority (almost all members) haven't the faintest idea of how the dogmas and doctrines came about?
Concerning John 20, all believers have the Holy Spirit of God within them. And any believer can forgive anyone who sins against him. No one can forgive the sin one commits against another other than the one sinned against - i.e., a priest forgiving a person who sinned against another person who is not involved in the forgiving process. Naw, there is no sense saying more on this...neither of us would get anywhere :-( (It would take a dedicated thread to just start the issue!)