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vulcano37214
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I would like to ask a question. In Mathew 16 when Jesus tells Peter that upon this rock he will build his Church. If the word Church means the called out ones, then what kind of exegesis are you using to support your argument that he was referring to the cc. Is not Jesus the head of the Church, and those that are being saved are added to his Church.Hey Marc…One thing is for certain: no one, (including the apostles) - is infallible or impeccable - agreed? In other words, no man can be infallible because “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” Being a sinner, which indeed the Pope is (he goes to confession just like the rest of us) - has absolutely nothing to do with the biblical doctrine of infallibility.
Biblical basis for the doctrine of infallibility: Jesus Christ, who founded the Catholic Church in Matthew 16:18, also promised the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide His church into all truth, forever. It is important to mention first, that Jesus is speaking to the Apostles collectively in the following passages; the Holy Spirit as the spirit of truth, is not speaking on an individual basis, to all believers, as an infallible guide, but He is speaking exclusively to the Apostles.
Regarding the following passages, protestant apologists will point to these passages to attempt to show that each believer has the Holy Spirit, and therefore the Bible and the Holy Spirit are the only binding infallible guides necessary to understand biblical truth. It is no doubt true that the Holy Spirit will guide each believer in finding truth through Scripture, as long as said truths align with the truths of the church founded by Jesus; nevertheless, we must remember that this specific promise is directed to the Apostles collectively, corporately. This Holy Spirit will not leave us desolate (v. 18). The promise has immediate repercussions for the preservation of truth forever within the context of the Church and its leadership. The implication is, as the Holy Spirit is promised forever (v. 16), he is the Spirit of Truth (v. 17), who Jesus later promises will guide into all truth (16:13). We see implications of Church infallibility, similar to other promises made by Jesus (Matt. 16:18, 28:20), but the following is quite clear:
“I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth."
- John 14: 16-17, 26: “I will ask the Father and he will give you another Paraclete—to be with you forever; the Spirit of truth,* whom the world cannot accept, since it neither sees him nor recognizes him because he remains with you and will be within you . . . . the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send will remind you of all that I have told you”
Then there was the Council of Jerusalem, in Acts 15. This Church council was held to determine whether or not Gentiles had to first be circumcised before becoming Christians. In Peter’s closing he says the following, from Acts 15:28:
The Holy Spirit was invoked, so therefore, it must be an infallible decision. The CC founded by Jesus, (comprised of all fallible leaders) - has the protection of the Infallible Holy Spirit, promised by Jesus Christ Himself to protect His Church from moral error - agreed? To ignore these scripture verses is to ignore one of the central tenets of the Bible. Even Protestants believe in the infallibility of scripture, because it’s inspired by the Holy Spirit. This is no different. The only other option is: the holy spirit stopped protecting the CC from within and without, and stopped guiding her into all truth, once the CC codified the infallible bible in 393 AD, leaving us with no sure way to know, with certainty, the truth regarding certain teachings. Doesn’t seem too plausible does it???Code:"For it has seemed good **to the Holy Spirit** and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things".