"The Catholic Church is the work of Divine
Providence, achieved through the prophecies of the prophets, through the Incarnation and
the teaching of Christ, through the journeys of the Apostles, through the suffering, the
crosses, the blood and the death of the martyrs, through the admirable lives of the
saints. When, then, we see so much help on God's part, so much progress and so much
fruit, shall we hesitate to bury ourselves in the bosom of that Church? For starting
from the Apostolic Chair down through successions of bishops, even unto the open
confession of all mankind, it has possessed the crown of teaching authority." - St.
Augustine of Hippo ("The Advantage of Believing" 4th century A.D.)
AUTHORITY - Should the Bible be the final authority
of Christianity or the Church? Well, Christ stated that the Church, not
Scripture should be the final authority: "And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it
unto the Church: but if he neglect to hear the Church, let him be unto thee as an heathen
man and a publican." (Matthew 18:17 ) Christ did not state to refer to
or consult Scripture for disputes and correction. He said to go to the Church as It
is the final authority in Christianity. In addition, St. Paul states that the
Church, not Scripture is "THE pillar and ground of the truth." (1 Timothy
3:15) Since the Church alone is
mentioned as the pillar of truth, then
It alone has the right to discern the truth and interpret Scripture. For if individuals
could correctly interpret Scripture, then all interpretations would be exactly the same as
there can only be one Spiritual Truth for the plural of the word "truth" never
appears in Scripture. The Church is Christ's bride (Ephesians 5:29) and has
"no spot, wrinkle or blemish" (Ephesians 5:27). Christ also stated that the
gates of Hell will not prevail against His Church (Matthew 16:18) so how can the
Church commit error? Individual clergy may commit sins, even popes commit sins
because in the Church there are both "weeds and wheat" (Matthew 13:30).
ORGANIZATION - Is the Church to be a loose
conglomerate of believers or is it to be organized and structured? Scripture clearly established
"offices" and a "hierarchy" among Christians. The offices of
"bishop, priest (presbyter) and deacon" are mentioned in Scripture (1
Timothy 3:1,8; Titus 1:7 ). What else is this
but "organization?" Or should we believe that any believer
can "claim" to be a bishop, priest, deacon or even "apostle?" The
word "office" is specifically used in Scripture (1 Timothy 3:1) to describe these positions.
Webster defines "office" as "A special duty, trust, charge, or position,
conferred by authority or God and for a public purpose; a position of trust or
authority." And the office of "apostle" is to
be continued (Acts 1:20-26) to the present day. Not all believers are
"equal" nor have the same gifts (1 Corinthians 12:8-10; Ephesians 4:11).
Is the Church a "visible, earthly" entity? Yes, for Christ would
not direct us to the Church for disputes if it were not here on Earth (Matthew 18:17).
Nor would "fear" encompass the whole Church if it were a mystical,
invisible and heavenly entity (Acts 5:11). The Church is definitely here on
earth for the actions described in Acts definitely take place on earth and the
term used is "the whole Church" (Acts 15:22).
HEAD OF THE CHURCH - Is there to be a visible
"head" of the Church here on earth? Well, as I established under the
heading of "Organization," not all believers are to have the same authority or
equality within the Church. Did the Apostles have the exact same authority amongst
themselves. No, they did not. For it was St. Peter alone that was the
"rock" upon which Christ established His Church (Matthew 16:18).
And it was St. Peter alone that was given the task of "feeding" Christ's
sheep (John 21:15-17 ). Scripture clearly points out St. Peter as Christ's
representative on earth. Christ did not ask the other Eleven to feed and tend His
sheep. If you read The Acts Of The Apostles, it is clear that St. Peter
leads the Apostles. Therefore, since the Apostles are to be replaced as they die (Acts
1:20-26), then it follows that whoever succeed(s) St. Peter is leader of the
Church. There is only to be one shepherd of the Church (John 10:16).
For the Apostles did not argue amongst themselves whether there was a "greatest"
at all, but who amongst them was the greatest (Mark 9:34; Luke 9:46).
ONE CHURCH - Is there to be only one Church or
many? According to Scripture, Christ wanted us to be one (John 17:22-23).
We are all as a Church to be of one mind and to think the same (Philippians 2:2; Romans
15:5). There is only to be one "faith" (Ephesians 4:3-6), not
many. For the Church is Christ's Body and Christ only had one Body, not many.
Also, since the Church is Christ's Bride (Ephesians 5:29), can Christ be married to more than one wife (essentially a
spiritual form of the the sin of polygamy)? No, Christ can only have one wife (i.e.,
one Church, not many).
In conclusion, Scripture is pretty straightforward about the Church's role in
salvation, Its authority and Its organization. It's all a matter of deductive
reasoning, correct interpretation and pure logic.
---
Chris
"Outside the Church no one can be a
martyr." - St. Pacianus of Barcelona (4th century A.D.)
"The Church is an earthly heaven in which
the super-celestial God dwells and walks about." - St. Germanus of Constantinople
("On The Divine Liturgy" 7th century A.D.)
