Just found this thread- way past my bedtime...
VERY interesting thread..enjoying reading- will have to finish over the weekend- but I wanted to just say something for everyone’s sake- those reading and posting here.
Jesus told us that the only way to the Father- to eternal life- was through Him. The entire purpose of Jesus Christ was for us to be saved. I don’t think Jesus would have been coy or cryptic. He does not say the way to salvation is through any specific church. HE is the church. I do not presume to think for a minute that any Catholic is not saved. Or any Protestant is not saved.
No Pope, no pastor, no man has the authority to challenge Jesus. Jesus wanted ALL to be saved. he could have very easily dropped the name of the ONE TRUE CHURCH. OH! He did- HIM! HE IS THE ONE TRUE CHURCH. Jesus was clear. He is the way, and ONLY HIM!
Thanks for the thread! I am sincerely enjoying it.
True! According to Scripture, however, Christ wanted us to be one (John 17:22-23). We are all as a Church to be of one mind and to think the same (Philippians 2:2; Romans 15:5). There is only to be one "faith" (Ephesians 4:3-6), not many.
Should the Bible be the final authority of Christianity or the Church? Well, Christ stated that the Church, not Scripture should be the final authority: "And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the Church: but if he neglect to hear the Church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican." (Matthew 18:17 ) Christ did not state to refer to or consult Scripture for disputes and correction. He said to go to the Church as It is the final authority in Christianity. In addition, St. Paul states that the Church, not Scripture is "THE pillar and ground of the truth." (1 Timothy 3:15) Since the Church alone is mentioned as the pillar of truth, then It alone has the right to discern the truth and interpret Scripture. For if individuals could correctly interpret Scripture, then all interpretations would be exactly the same as there can only be one Spiritual Truth for the plural of the word "truth" never appears in Scripture. The Church is Christ's bride (Ephesians 5:29) and has "no spot, wrinkle or blemish" (Ephesians 5:27). Christ also stated that the gates of Hell will not prevail against His Church (Matthew 16:18) so how can the Church commit error? Individual clergy may commit sins, even popes commit sins because in the Church there are both "weeds and wheat" (Matthew 13:30).