“I believe that is called a “red-herring” argument.”
Incorrect. What I posted is called a “valid point”. If you’re going to claim there was no hierarchy in the NT you had better be prepared to deal with simple, valid points that show there was a hierarchy in the NT. The fact that Stephen was ONLY a deacon, but James was an Apostle, shows there was a hierarchy. It’s just that simple.
“The pope speaks with the voice of men.”
So you claim.
“James spake as he was moved by the Holy Spirit he received on the day of Pentecost. Big difference!”
So a pope can’t be moved by the Holy Spirit? And the Holy Spirit doesn’t guide the Church?
You obviously do not understand the early Church. James, and the other apostles, served as servants: no pontification, no massive cathedrals and lavish lifestypes, no one kissed their rings . . . they were true servants. Your argument regarding a "hierarchy" in the early Church is ridiculous since your entire motive is to give creedance to the power structure of the dynasty in the Vatican.
>>>So a pope can’t be moved by the Holy Spirit? <<<
No. Maybe if he left the Catholic organization Christ might send it to him.
Look at the organization. It is not the organization of church. It is big business. Look at your history. Look at the situation now. Do you truly think that anyone with the Holy Spirit would have allowed the atrocities Pope's have endorsed throughout your bloody history? Would anyone speaking from the Holy Spirit make this horrific statement?
"Sharing our experience in carrying that cross, to expel the illness within our hearts, which embitters our life: it is important that you do this in your meetings. Those that are Christian, with the Bible, and those that are Muslim, with the Quran. The faith that your parents instilled in you will always help you move on.”
That is more of a Rich Warren statement than a Christian statement. And it certainly wasn't received from the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit would never endorse an antichrist religion, whether it be Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, . . . , whatever. That is pure Satan-speak.
Popes have proven, throughout history, they have never experienced the Holy Spirit. The entire hierarchy is top-down, like government (or the Mob), rather than bottom up as Christ teaches; and when given the chance they have resorted to the natural state of a top-down organization: they became vicious and vile; and instead of humble surroundings, they have always lived in outrageous splendour, while milking the peasants to support their lavish lifestyles. They are no different than the leadership of the Jews in the days of Christ, except they didn’t kill any prophets. They would have (under the charge of heresy, naturally;) but we were fresh out of prophets by the time the Catholic organization was schemed.
You never did address this statement by James, and how that applies to priests:
"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:16)
Philip