I disagree with you, but don’t want to debate it. So I’ll just ask how much time have you spent pouring over the Scriptures to verify the claims of Rome? Are you a Berean in the spirit of Acts 17? Have you truly considered other views on Rome’s claims? I don’t matter, so those are questions for you to answer to yourself, not to me. Most men aren’t honest, even with themselves. Most men don’t study. Most men put their eternal souls in the hands of others. Most men are fooled spiritually. The Bible teaches there is a way that seems right to men, but the end thereof is death. On what basis did Rome convince you?
What is this "Rome" you keep talking about?
I agree most men's itching ears are easily fooled by the false claims of false prophets that have spread their despicable lies and deception far and wide.
Reason has convinced me that the consistent witness of the Fathers, Doctors, Martyrs and Saints of the One, True, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church founded by Christ Jesus is the sole teaching authority on maters of faith and morals.
If you are a Lutheran, your religion was founded by Martin Luther, an ex- monk of the Catholic Church, in the year 1517.If you belong to the Church of England, your religion was founded by King Henry VIII in the year 1534 because the Pope would not grant him a divorce with the right to remarry.
If you are a Presbyterian, your religion was founded by John Knox in Scotland in the year 1560.
If you are a Protestant Episcopalian, your religion was an offshoot of the Church of England founded by Samuel Seabury in the American colonies in the 17th century.
If you are a Congregationalist, your religion was originated by Robert Brown in Holland in 1582.
If you are a Methodist, your religion was launched by John and Charles Wesley in England in 1744.
If you are a Unitarian, Theophilus Lindley founded your church in London in 1774.
If you are a Mormon (Latter Day Saints), Joseph Smith started your religion in Palmyra, N.Y., in 1829.
If you are a Baptist, you owe the tenets of your religion to John Smyth, who launched it in Amsterdam in 1605.
If you are of the Dutch Reformed church, you recognize Michaelis Jones as founder, because he originated your religion in New York in 1628.
If you worship with the Salvation Army, your sect began with William Booth in London in 1865.
If you are a Christian Scientist, you look to 1879 as the year in which your religion was born and to Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy as its founder.
If you belong to one of the religious organizations known as 'Church of the Nazarene," "Pentecostal Gospel." "Holiness Church," "Pilgrim Holiness Church," "Jehovah's Witnesses," your religion is one of the hundreds of new sects founded by men within the past century.
If you are Catholic, you know that your religion was founded in the year 33 by Jesus Christ the Son of God, and it is still the same Church.
The Bereans didn't have the full scriptures, possibly a few NT letters, but most of the scriptures they searched were the OT and prophesies therein.
It was traditional to pass on authority by the laying on of hands. Paul was called by the Holy Spirit but eventually joined the other apostles. Much of church history isn't in the scriptures.
I am leery with all the newer churches and consider the "authority" of the pastors "self-appointed". They can claim to be called by God. And God can use them. But I don't trust their interpretation of the scriptures completely. Nor do I trust my own, and many earlier church groups flourished with no bibles because they were too expensive and were hand copied by monks. Furthermore, common people could not read and write. There were bibles chained in the churches of Rome which I suppose people could read if they were fluent in Latin. To this day many people are illiterate and either memorize certain scriptures or have to have them read to them. Just some points to consider as I have wrestled with it. Christ doesn't accept people based on whether they can read or write the scriptures although there is a blessing associated with reading the Book of Revelation.
I personally believe Peter was crucified in Rome but was never head of the Church of Rome or pope. He helped organize the Church of Antioch which has churches in America at present but he was an apostle, not a bishop.
Yeah, I don't want to argue about it either as it's pointless. I don't know what God expects us to do in these times. It's obvious from my reading of the NT that Christ founded a real church with pastors, deacons, bishops.
Where I'm stuck now is on images, statues and icons. I know the various councils started accepting them, but is it pleasing to God? Or are Christians no longer under the 10 commandments? And I love the beauty of much of the art and iconography but still doesn't mean it is pleasing to God. Or maybe He doesn't care any more? Concerning Moses raising a serpent on a pole and the cherabim on either side of the ark, those were ordered by God by an accepted spokesman for Him.
The other problem is the Sabbath. If we are to obey the Commandments, I believe sundown Friday to sundown Saturday is the true Sabbath as still practiced by believing Jews. Sunday is the Lord's Day when the early Christians met for Holy Communion or the Eucharist because they were eventually excommunicated from the synagogues. All the earliest Christians were Jews and possibly a few from other tribes like Paul who was of Benjamin.
Being a woman, I wouldn't attempt or presume myself qualified to pastori a church based on my sex alone. I'm just funny that way.
My views are subject to change if I ever get them resolved to my satisfaction. And I recognize as Christians fellow believers, no matter who they are affiliated with if sincere. and display certain fruits as love, peace, charity toward others, not condemn them to hell if they don't believe like others think they are supposed to.
“I disagree with you, but don’t want to debate it.”
And then you do.
Q.E.D.
I was born and raised Catholic, when I turned 16 I started seriously studying the word. It took me about 6 months, to realize I was being fed untruths for most of my life.