[Rashputin]

As always, Protestant folks focus on one individual rather than the overarching Truth in Scripture just like they state their own individual interpretation of Scripture as fact because they expect others to swallow the Protestant fantasy that each individual can blaspheme the Holy Spirit with one breath by claiming the Holy Spirit is inept and imperfect but then claim inerrant, perfect, guidance from the same imperfect Holy Spirit in the next breath.

Apparently the fact that Scripture says Christ gave the Apostles authority to forgive sin is another bit of Scripture Protestant folks ignore. And yes, the Apostles passed that authority down to those they ordained because Christ Himself gave them the power to do so

John 20:21 He said therefore to them again : Peace be to you. As the Father hath sent me, I also send you.
John 20:22 When he had said this, he breathed on them ; and he said to them : Receive ye the Holy Ghost.
John 20:23 Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them ; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.

God sent Christ into the world with the authority to grant power to forgive sins to His Apostles, and Christ sent His Apostles into the world as the Father sent Him; with the same power to select leaders and grant them the power to forgive or retain sins.

It's worth noting that unlike the Self and Self Alone crowd, Christ was speaking about the perfect Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, not the imperfect version of the Holy Spirit Protestantism foists on the world. The perfect Holy Spirit that has always and will always protect His Word and make sure the Truth is taught by His Church, not by "all of us are Holy" churches.

Of course, the Self and Self Alone have all fallen into the heresy of Korah and claim they're all Holy, exactly the same claim Korah was swallowed into Hell alive for making. Which pretty much sums up where the majority of Protestant folks are headed although a few will find Christ just like a few blind squirrels find a nut.

have a nice day

[MHGinTN]

LOL! There is actually no such thing as 'self and self alone'. Without the Christ paying the Penalty of not measuring up to God's Righteousness, without The Christ spreading His blood upon the Mercy Seat in Heaven, there could not be The Holy Spirit of God indwelling any who believe Jesus is the Savior and Lord. So you see, without the work of all three persons of the ONE GOD, there is no salvation for you or me.

Using little catchy titles works for the small mind, but it is swept away with what the Bible actually teaches to those who will take the time to read it and study it ... like the Bereans.

[ealgeone]

If you understand the Greek behind this you'll understand these passages.

As it has been explained numerous times in these threads I won't go over it again.

[Elsie]

As always, Protestant folks focus on one individual...

So true!

And that One is Jesus!

[Elsie]

The above was posted by a member of the Jesus and Jesus alone crowd.