[Dr. Eckleburg]

it (Christ's church) cannot be both victorious over evil, yet presumably at the same time, fall into apostasy.

True enough. And that is why Rome reveals itself not to be the church in question.

No visible church on earth is perfect. Christ's invisible church, the one built with the spiritual stones of each and every believer, will endure and prevail.

"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? " -- 1 Corinthians 3:16

Churches are commanded by God to preach the Gospel, to administer Christ's two sacraments, to encourage fellowship among the congregants and to safe-guard sound doctrine.

Because Rome rejects the Scriptures as its only rule of faith and practice; because Rome follows "another Christ;" and because Rome seeks salvation from a "co-redeemer" Rome stands not in the light of Christ's truth but in the shadows of foolish and crippling error.

"Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded." -- 1 Peter 2:5-6

[FourtySeven]

True enough. And that is why Rome reveals itself not to be the church in question.

Thanks for the input, but this was not the issue I was addressing. I was addressing the claim that Matt 16:18 cannot be used as a prooftext by Catholics for the claim "the Church cannot have fallen into apostasy, as Protestants (or JW's or Mormons, or "Messianic Jews" and/or virtually any other non-Catholic church or sect) claims, or else Matt 16:18 is in error."

I may or may not respond to your post, as, with all due respect, it's tangential to the issue above.

[Quix]

Thx for the ping and your good work.