There can only be One Church that has the Final Authority.

[JohnVIII]

Sure. Jesus’ one established church is either one of the Eastern Orthodox Churches or the Catholic Church. For me, it’s the Catholic Church. What it logically can’t be is one of the Protestant Churches. At best, any one PC can claim to be the reformed church of Christ.

For me it is the Roman Church too. There is a oneness in the EO, but that oneness is in their inter-communion. The true oneness for both EO & RC is the Roman Church. That is what it was before the split, and the split really does not have the power to create a new Church for that universal oneness. The only thing that makes Protestants non-churches is because most do not have bishops, but some do, those that do have bishops are churches.

If you think I contradict what I said before what I don’t agree with is that it should have been set up the way it was with Rome as the center, but it was set up that way and the Eastern Churches are forever tied to Rome. I also think there were other Churches that were not part of this deal with Rome, but they have mostly been destroyed. I support the independence of Orthodox and Protestant, but this independence really should get the blessing of Rome so that it can be lawful. - Like that will ever happen!

Our best bet is to locate the church guided by God, and put our trust in the interpretation of His church.

That’s not what I would do, but I do feel that I should pray that God bless you in this virtuous endeavor!

If everyone faithfully deferred to the authority of the church founded by Jesus then division would cease to exist, as long as His church remained free of dissenters.

Once again, that’s not what I would do, but I do feel that I should pray that God bless you in this virtuous endeavor!

 

[joe370]

For me it is the Roman Church too. There is a oneness in the EO, but that oneness is in their inter-communion. The true oneness for both EO & RC is the Roman Church. That is what it was before the split, and the split really does not have the power to create a new Church for that universal oneness. The only thing that makes Protestants non-churches is because most do not have bishops, but some do, those that do have bishops are churches.

If you think I contradict what I said before what I don’t agree with is that it should have been set up the way it was with Rome as the center, but it was set up that way and the Eastern Churches are forever tied to Rome. I also think there were other Churches that were not part of this deal with Rome, but they have mostly been destroyed. I support the independence of Orthodox and Protestant, but this independence really should get the blessing of Rome so that it can be lawful. - Like that will ever happen!

That’s not what I would do, but I do feel that I should pray that God bless you in this virtuous endeavor!

Once again, that’s not what I would do, but I do feel that I should pray that God bless you in this virtuous endeavor!

 

[joe370]

JohnVIII, quick question:

Private interpretation of sacred scripture does not always work. As I mentioned before, me, throwing my Rome-based interpretation at my sister, regarding the Eucharist, and her throwing her Evangelical based interpretation at me, regarding the Eucharist as a symbolic meal, get’s her and I nowhere. We continue to remain divided! In other words, scripture, as interpreted by her alone, or, by her as she learned it from her protestant church, tells her one thing regarding the Eucharist, and scripture, interpreted by me alone, or, by me as I have learned it from the catholic church tells me the complete opposite.

Did Jesus leave me and my sister with a way to resolve our differences regarding the Eucharist? If so then what is it in your opinion?

 

[wisdomseeker]

Would you like to give an answer the your question underlined above? You seem to be saying that Rome has an answer that is better than scripture on this. And if you do have a Rome-based answer is it more persuasive to your protestant sister than John chapter 6 is?

Jesus said, in John chapter 6 that ‘unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you’ and people started to leave Him at that point, but rather than stopping them and saying something like ‘wait, I was only speaking symbolically!’ He turned to His disciples and said, ‘will you leave me too?’. After reading this discourse in John chapter 6 how can it be said that “Scripture alone is of no help in the matter”.

Instead of seeking some type of final authority, which if found would produce no better results, consider what Christ has said under similar circumstances:

" And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. " (Luke 16:31)

The fact is that it can only be one Church with authority because it cares the authority of Christy alone. If Jesus found a Church it is only obviously that the Church has authority over all nations and people.

outside the Church, no one can pickup the Bible and use against the Church which God gave authority. individual against the this Church. think about it, 2000 yrs man has been fighting against the CC. think about it.

 

[JohnVIII]

JohnVIII, quick question: …

Did Jesus leave me and my sister with a way to resolve our differences regarding the Eucharist? If so then what is it in your opinion?

I truly wish I had an answer for you on this. I’ve taken some time before I made a reply to think and pray about it, but I’m sorry because I don’t know.

Does your sister believe as she does with the same degree of fervor that you do? Does she wish to see you coming around to seeing things the way she does? Is it intense in both ways? If so you both have one thing in common, your love for each other. You know prayer is also a form of “holy communion”. If you could pray with her, you would be communing with her in prayer. Communion in prayer could lead to communion in the Eucharist in due time. In the mean time, try to except her as she is right now.

I gave you my opinion without the “if so then…”. It’s all I can do this time. I can only do what I can do. I hope it helps.

You know I became Roman Catholic for a short time, but I returned to Eastern Orthodox. The first reason I joined the Roman Church was because my wife is RC & I wanted to commune at the same Cup with her. I returned to EO because I never FULLY excepted the RC teaching on the Pope & I therefore didn’t think it was ethical for me to remain. My wife also, for similar reasons joined EO for a short time & then returned to RC. And right now I am in the middle of (and I’ve never shared this on CAF before) getting a divorce. So I’ve communed with my wife in more ways than one, but in the end I failed. The scripture says to me: “Physician, heal thyself!” In other words, if I don’t have what you need then I cannot give it to you.

God bless!

 

[Jack_Bauer]

For some strange reason after reading the title I feel the urge to sharpen my sword.

There can be only one.

 

[joe370]

For some strange reason after reading the title I feel the urge to sharpen my sword.

There can be only one.

LOL… Highlander. Awesome show; the series too…

 

[joe370]

I truly wish I had an answer for you on this. I’ve taken some time before I made a reply to think and pray about it, but I’m sorry because I don’t know.

Does your sister believe as she does with the same degree of fervor that you do?

Thanks for the feedback my brother in Christ.