They, obviously, did not inherit the foundational ministry of the Apostles, since JESUS and the Apostles completed that particular ministry and all other valid ministry is built upon that already established foundation.
You keep saying this. And to some extent I agree. But why do you think no authority is required?
I didn't say that no authority is required.
JESUS said that authority in the Church would not be like the examples that we see of authority in the world.
JESUS said that the Church's authority would be a serving authority, ... even as He came into the world not to be served, ... but to serve ... and to give His life a ransom for many.
I see the Church's serving authority as that of being commissioned to present the truth of God to the world. Each person receiving that message is responsible (to God) for his/her response to the message of God.
(Didn't these very bishops hundreds of years later establish the canon?)
Yes ... as directed by God, bishops established the collection of pre-existing Apostolic writings.
Duh. Of course the writings were pre-existing.
You dismiss as "directed by God" the fact that these bishops, whose authority you defy, are the very ones whom God used to give you the Bible you use as a substitute.
No. I believe that God granted these men the authority to serve as they were called to do. Even as the Apostles were granted the authority to serve as they were called to do. Even as you and I are granted the authority by God to serve as we do.
My point is that we (all Christians) serve as God directs and that He grants, to each, the necessary authority for that particular called service.Romans 12:5 thus we, [being] many, are one body in Christ, and each one members one of the other.Didn't the Apostles act as "directed by God"? Why do you say that about the later bishops as if it is a proof against their authority to do what they did? It's nonsensical.
6 But having different gifts, according to the grace which has been given to us, whether [it be] prophecy, [let us prophesy] according to the proportion of faith;
7 or service, [let us occupy ourselves] in service; or he that teaches, in teaching;
8 or he that exhorts, in exhortation; he that gives, in simplicity; he that leads, with diligence; he that shews mercy, with cheerfulness.
Of course the apostles acted as they were led by God.
So did Moses, ... as well as Moses' successor Joshua.
But Joshua's direction (and authority) by God (as a warrior general to conquer the lands of Canaan) ... was different than that of Moses' (to represent God before Pharoah and lead the Hebrews across the wilderness to the Promised Land).
Yes, and ultimately that is the job of every bishop, to presevre and present this truth. You couldn't have said it any better.
I believe that God granted these men the authority to serve as they were called to do. Even as the Apostles were granted the authority to serve as they were called to do. Even as you and I are granted the authority by God to serve as we do.
Then you don't believe in this "authority" at all. You believe it is somethign common that all share. We know where that leads, when there is no one to speak the Truth. To somewhere between 30 and 30,000 different interpretations of the same events.
SD