The churches during the time of the Bible consisted of a handful of believers…not like the churches we see today. That is also why so many people are going back to Bible Rooted churches and starting home based churches with a small intimate group of people that can study and learn and grow together in the word of God.
The verse that I stated applies exactly to what I stated above. As does the whole verse 18…it applies to all people not just who he was directly talking to. If that was the case then we wouldn’t follow any of the Bible…we would say “well that was meant for Peter or John not for me.”
While you did respond, you didn’t address the points as I’ve raised them, in my opinion. You have reiterated your interpretation, without explanation. When two or three witnesses gathered together to rebuke an offender, why was it necessary to tell the Church, if the Church was two or three gathered together?
The Churches during the time of the Bible, might have well been handful of believers, even though I believe they might have been larger than we picture in our minds.
Act 2:41 They therefore that received his word were baptized: and there were added in that day about three thousand souls.
Act 4:4 But many of them who had heard the word believed: and the number of the men was made five thousand.
The Church was growing, quickly, even though they had no Bible as we have today. But that’s not my point. Those handful of believers, scattered across Asia, were receiving their instructions from the Apostles, evident by the letters and epistles written and sent to them. The message was the same for each Church.
**Eph 4:3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Eph 4:4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call,
Eph 4:5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Eph 4:6 one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all.
Rom 16:17 I appeal to you, brethren, to take note of those who create dissensions and difficulties, in opposition to the doctrine which you have been taught; avoid them.
1Co 1:10 I appeal to you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no dissensions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
Php 2:2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
Rom 15:5 May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,
Rom 15:6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1Co 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body–Jews or Greeks, slaves or free–and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
Rom 12:4 For as in one body we have many members, and all the members do not have the same function,
Rom 12:5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
Eph 4:4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call,
Col 3:15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.**
If we reasoned, as you do, that small groups studying scriptures was the way to go, we have a problem. There are many denominations, of small groups, studying scriptures for themselves. There are many denominations coming up with different interpretations and doctrinal differences, according to their interpretation. Is this being of the same mind and judgment? Is this being in full accord and one mind?
Many of St. Paul’s writings were corrections made to Churches. They were not supporting a slightly different view according to each individual group’s interpretation of the truth they had been taught.
If we carefully read the scriptures, we do see there were times Christ spoke to multitudes and other times He specifically spoke to the Apostles. We cannot ignore what was meant for Peter or John, as you say, because it gives us insight into Church authority, so we know how and why appointed men do what they do. They were not instructions for any reader to decide to appoint themselves or others. Scriptures tell us of Apostolic succession.
**Act 1:25 To take the place of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas hath by transgression fallen, that he might go to his own place.
Act 1:26 And they gave them lot, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
1Ti 3:1 A faithful saying: If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth good work.
1Ti 3:8 Deacons in like manner: chaste, not double tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre:
1Ti 5:17 Let the priests that rule well be esteemed worthy of double honour: especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
1Ti 4:14 Neglect not the grace that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with imposition of the hands of the priesthood.
1Ti 5:22 Impose not hands lightly upon any man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins. Keep thyself chaste.
Act 14:23 (14:22) And when they had ordained to them priests in every church and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, in whom they believed.
2Ti 2:2 And the things which thou hast heard of me by many witnesses, the same commend to faithful men who shall be fit to teach others also.
Tit 1:5 For this cause I left thee in Crete: that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting and shouldest ordain priests in every city, as I also appointed thee:**
I notice some try to distance themselves by calling themselves “non-denominational”. It is still a group of believers who follow their own doctrines, that are different from the many denominational groups that exist, thus making them another denomination.
The term “Catholic Church” was first documented in 106AD. This was just a couple of years after St. John had finished writing Revelations, which was estimated to have been written around 100AD. The term “Catholic Church” was used by St. Ignatius, who was a disciple of St. John’s. He was also appointed by St. Peter.
In the beginning, believers were called “the Way”, which transpired into “Christians”, which was articulated into “Catholic Church”. It was not non-denominational. From 106AD, there are writings from ONE Church. Where are the writings of the multi-denominational Churches people keep claiming existed? They didn’t start appearing until the reformation that took place in the 1500s. Prior to that, there are none, none that any Church of today will claim affliation with.