We need the Catholic Church for this reason... #catholic #chrisitan #pope #catholicapologetics

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[timrichardson]

As a relatively new Catholic, it is so comforting to me how practical the Church is. If there is a dispute, the first question is what did Christ say. Not clear? Next question is who did Christ leave in charge who can tell us. The apostles. They're not around anymore and their writings don't say? The next question is who did THEY leave in charge. The bishops? What do they say? Some of them disagree? Then they all get together and settle it and let us know. Still unclear? Who did Christ give final jurisdiction and authority in the Church? The successor of Peter. What does he say?

[Sevenspent]

I think this 100% makes sense, I couldn't support my family and be a theologian at the same time deciding on everything by myself. God runs a kingdom, not a direct democracy.God uses the people in that kingdom to help guide us down the right path. We see this in the old and it continues in the new.

[fizzsfreefunds]

That we do. The church has done centuries of work. It's unreasonable to expect every person to have to redo all of that work.

[paul_]

I know exactly how I would interpret the scripture. Thank God I’m not the authority but the Church is.

[christdefender]

The pillar and bulwark of the truth. 👀

[randycarson]

In approximately AD 96, during the pontificate of Clement of Rome (the fourth Pope), a schism arose in the Church of Corinth. In response, Clement wrote a stern letter addressing the issue. He acknowledged his delay in addressing the dispute due to Roman persecution then went on to condemn the Corinthian schism as "execrable and godless". Clement commanded obedience to his directives under penalty of transgression thereby illustrating the authority of the apostolic successors. His authority and judgment were accepted in Corinth.

This episode highlights the emerging recognition of Rome's authority in resolving Church disputes. Corinth's appeal to Clement, the successor of Peter, rather than to the Apostle John in Ephesus who was physically much closer to Corinth, indicates Rome's growing prominence in the Church hierarchy by the end of the first century.

Peter had arrived in Rome sometime before being martyred there in AD 63-64, and Clement clearly exercised the authority of the early papacy by AD 96. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that the "migration" to Rome occurred sometime in this 30-year window.

[newsportalent]

My speculation,
Model of the Church council where the Lord himself present, is in Caesarea Philippi,

-” After everyone speculating about the identity of Jesus, the Lord then turn to his disciples and asked them,
to formulate a definitive (doctrine) answer (Ex-cathedra) which will be exercised by St. Peter and his successors.”-
another word, St. Peter's answer that Jesus is "the Christ, the Son of the living God. " is a dogma and the Lord himself present and approved it.

Matthew 16
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

[yblackie]

1. This argument assumes the church is the institution rather than the body of believers.
2. Even if it were true that this was the only way the early church settled disputes (it isn't) that wouldn't automatically mean that that is the only way the later church should settle disputes.
3. Joe references Act 15 but unfortunately ignores the end of Acts 15 where Paul and Barbara's have a dispute and settle it WITHOUT a church council. If we weigh Acts 15 in a balanced way, it would seem church councils are legitimate but Spirit-filled believers may also resolve disputes between themselves.

[principleswise]

Every Christian must step up and present their understanding of the Word of God. Yes any church could collectively clear up aguments about doctrine BUT this should be an obvious accesory confirmation of what every adult Christian position is, in regards to their faith. (And ONLY in front of institutionalized or corporative groups of non-believers or other religions) This is where and what should be the use of the church; of a testimony, not of a judge, not of a mediator, not of a stuarts of the Truth...

Because that is supposed to be natural for every real adult believer. Why? Because everyone who is born again most be accountable before Our Lord, if not from their start, as soon as they're baptized. Even before everything else, Christian should immediately start searching for the character God to get to know Him within the scriptures.*

[rukidding-yc]

Why do the same old heresies crop up over and over? So much is settled. Be Catholic (all Catholics must unite, and be clear on this)

[henrylimnyuy]

Protestant on the other create new churches. If they dont protest, there will be no church

[geraldhill]

Just like anything else in life I don't rely on others to do my work for me.

Why would I trust someone who trusts the kjv to correct the Greek for my salvation?

This great internet was given to me by Christ to find that narrow way.

Following credible sources of all denominations like yourself will lead me to Victory.

[mikemcmullin]

'The Church steps in to settle the controversy', would that said church actually obeyed the Holy Spirit. It's history is littered with evidence that Divine Inspiration is less the reality and more like a claim to avoid it's manifest sins.

[johornbuckle]

in some respects this has worked well but its not like there have not been schisms because catholicism got it wrong and now it is so wrong its cultish. Ironically the laiety can be good with God even though they fight like cats against those outside catholicism

[giwrgosemdou]

If the pope is infallible why do we need the councils? He could just sit on his nice chair and decide about the dogma alone but he didn't. The problem is that papal infallibility is nowhere to be found in the first centuries. So yes the church is needed for those reasons you say but the papist church is schismatic, should drop the heresies and reunite with the One True and Apostolic Church

[Phillold]

Nope. The church didn't do that. The Apostles did that.
Church councils condemned Athanasius and affirmed Arianism and so did the Pope.

[denknichtschau]

So why are you a Papist? Sincerely and respectfully

[The__Witnesses]

Amen. But we don’t need a Pope. Jesus is our High Priest who leads the Apostolic Church by faithful obedience to Him.

[Turnip_]

And they settled the questions so well! Now there’s hundreds of different ‘catholic’ sects

[hirehammer]

Is that why people who didn’t agree the Catholic Church were put in prison or burned at the stake? Was that the Holy Spirit or the infallible pope?