I was trying to respond to your question, “If the Church taught error on faith and morals it couldn’t be a pillar and ground of truth, could it?”. I answered from another direction ( other than looking for a perfect church to fulfill being pillar of truth). I took from what “is’’ that we have three types of ''churches” as the O’s and P’s and C’s. They indeed each contain and are grounded in truth, and are a pillar, even a candle of light to the world. That there are some differences in practice, even doctrine, does not diminish the pillar, the light. Of course if we were all perfect and united, the light might be “better”, but apparently His grace is still sufficient.
You post each is grounded in truth. I would say there is truth in all Protestant Denominations some more than others. I would say many Protestants aren’t even grounded in the simple principles and foundation of the doctrines of Christ most especially baptism.
[Hb6:1 Therefore **leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection;
not laying again the foundation of
repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2 Of
the doctrine of baptisms, and of
laying on of hands, and of
resurrection of the dead, and of
eternal judgment. 3 And this will we do, if God permit.]
In all honesty Ben, what you posted, I find totally off the wall. Three contradicting groups could never remotely be seen as a pillar and ground of truth. God is not the author of confusion and division, scattering people of faith. What is your historic and scriptural evidence?
In Mt16:16 Scripture tells us Christ is building one Church giving the keys to one person. That would be one body, one bride. Christ prayed for that One Church in the Garden before He died.
[Jn17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 21 **That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us:
that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.] Why did Christ pray all may be One? Answer: That the world may believe. That means the world would
See One Visible Vineyard, One Catholic Church.
He didn’t pray they be three or thousands. In fact there couldn’t be three as there is no such thing as One Protestant Church but thousands. Unless you consider your own particular Protestant denomination as the only true Protestant Church.
[Rms16:17 Now **I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and
avoid them. 18 For
they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly;
and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.]
[Eph4:14 That we henceforth **be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by
the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But
speaking the truth in love, may
grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which
every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part,
maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.] I have yet to see a man with three bodies.
[Hbs13:17 **Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for
they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.]
[Acts2:41 Then **they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were
added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And
they continued stedfastly in the
apostles’ doctrine and
fellowship, and in
breaking of bread, and in
prayers.]
Those that gladly received his word,
One Hope were baptized for forgiveness of sins and receive the One Spirit
One Baptism and
Added to them. One Apostolic Fellowship. One Body, the
Church guided by the Holy Spirit. They continued steadfastly in the
apostles doctrine, One Faith Teaching . They continued in breaking of bread=mass and prayers=liturgy,
One worship of One Lord God and Father of all.
[1Cor1:9 God is faithful, by whom **ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all
speak the same thing, and
that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly
joined together in the same mind and in the
same judgment.]
[Lk22:28 Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. 29 And **I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; 30
That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and
sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 31 And the Lord said, Simon,
Simon, behold,
Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But
I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and
when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.]
[Lk9:49 And **John answered and
said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and
we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. 50 And
Jesus said unto him,
Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.] In Luke we can see there are those who believe and cast out devils in Jesus’ name. Yet do not follow nor listen to the One Fellowship Christ has sent to teach the whole would till the end. All validly baptized are spiritually united to the Church yet not united in body and teaching, they follow not with us.
, and they wanted that to cease so they acted accordingly.