Excuse the obvious question: “Scripture” - insofar as that which composes the books of “the Bible” - did not exist for the first 400 years of the Church. And since it was the Catholic Church who authored the book we know as the Bible, then it is for the Catholic Church to discern its meaning in context ... which is why we say the Catholic Church is a “teaching Church” ... So, what did Christians have as a spiritual guide in the nearly four centuries before the Bible existed? They had the TRADITION of the Church.
If there are no sacraments, then what was the point of Christ’s instructions to the Apostles in regard to forgiving sins and holding them bound (Confession)?
If there exist no sacraments in the Church, then just what is Baptism?
If there are no sacraments, then just what is the descent of the Holly Ghost upon the apostles? (Confirmation)
If there are no sacraments, then just what is the Eucharist as was consubstantiated by Christ at the “Last supper” on the eve of His Passion? “This is my Body ...” “This is my Blood ...”
If there are no sacraments, then how is it that Christ sanctified marriage, and declared its indissolubility?
If there is no priesthood, and all can believe whatever they personally wish to believe, then why bother having apostles (bishops) at all? Why not simply have Christ miraculously produce a Bible, ready to go?
BTW - if every belief is valid, then, logically, none are valid. Logic dictates that two diametrically opposing views cannot both be right.
“”Excuse the obvious question: “Scripture” - insofar as that which composes the books of “the Bible” - did not exist for the first 400 years of the Church.”
2/3 of the Scriptures were written before the birth of Christ.
All we written before 100 ad.
“And since it was the Catholic Church who authored the book we know as the Bible,”
It was not. The Holy Spirit is the Author of Scripture. Don’t steal. It’s a sin.
“then it is for the Catholic Church to discern its meaning in context ... which is why we say the Catholic Church is a “teaching Church” “
Again, it is the Holy Spirit guides believers into all truth. Don’t steal. It’s a sin.
” So, what did Christians have as a spiritual guide in the nearly four centuries before the Bible existed? They had the TRADITION of the Church.”
The Holy Spirit, the Father, the Son.
“If there are no sacraments, then what was the point of Christ’s instructions to the Apostles in regard to forgiving sins and holding them bound (Confession)”
In Greek it does not say that.
“If there exist no sacraments in the Church, then just what is Baptism?”
A command that is a public testimony to non-believers that this soul has decided to follow Christ.
“If there are no sacraments, then just what is the descent of the Holly Ghost upon the apostles? (Confirmation)”
Not a sacrament, but an event that Christ promised and told them to wait for.
“If there are no sacraments, then just what is the Eucharist as was consubstantiated by Christ at the “Last supper” on the eve of His Passion? “This is my Body ...” “This is my Blood ...””
It was not. It was part of the traditional Passover meal that Christ commanded be done in memory of Him until a His return.
“If there are no sacraments, then how is it that Christ sanctified marriage, and declared its indissolubility?”
He reiterated what God said from the beginning. He also corrected a. Ok on sin among a sect of Jewish leaders.
“If there is no priesthood, and all can believe whatever they personally wish to believe, then why bother having apostles (bishops) at all? Why not simply have Christ miraculously produce a Bible, ready to go?”
1. Priest is not a NT Church office in any list.
2. He did, using people he chose.
“BTW - if every belief is valid, then, logically, none are valid. Logic dictates that two diametrically opposing views cannot both be right.”
I agree. This is why I’m taking time to correct what you wrote without benefit of studying the Scriptures FRiend. It
Actually it did.
And since it was the Catholic Church who authored the book we know as the Bible,
Actually they didn't.
...then it is for the Catholic Church to discern its meaning in context ... which is why we say the Catholic Church is a “teaching Church” ...
So, what did Christians have as a spiritual guide in the nearly four centuries before the Bible existed? They had the TRADITION of the Church.
The early church had the Holy Spirit to guide them in all truth. Do Roman Catholics not read the very book they claim to have given??
I thought Rome merely ASSEMBLED the bible from bits and pieces of other writings; NONE of which were AUTHORED by Rome.