Jesus does not tell everyone to *Listen to the church*.
It is not a command.
It does not give blanket authority over everyone every where to one organization that claims retroactively that it is the OTC which Jesus established.
The very Roman church that adds *sacred tradition* to Scripture? We’re supposed to trust THAT church when it doesn’t even follow the Scripture that it claims to have written?
No, I don’t trust the Catholic church. It’s history doesn’t give anybody an reason to consider it trustworthy.
Just as much of the dogma etc in catholic-ism is “tradition” and then added to throughout the years, as well as fought over and changed to suite the times. So too are it’s members....who do likewise to justify remaining where it’s easier to close ones eyes to the obvious and just wait til they “change” things yet again.
“Comfort in the familiar” even if it’s going to bite you in the end.
It is not a command.
"If he will not listen to the church, treat him as a pagan or tax collector." --Jesus
It does not give blanket authority over everyone every where to one organization that claims retroactively that it is the OTC which Jesus established.
The Church has been in continuous existence since Jesus founded it. The list of popes can be traced back to Peter and his successor. It's a matter of historical fact. How is that "retroactive"?
The very Roman church that adds *sacred tradition* to Scripture?
Paul, who was a bishop (he ordained Timothy as the Bishop of Ephesus), endorses Sacred Tradition... in Scripture.
"So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter." --St. Paul
Reject Sacred Tradition, reject Scripture.