On most parts I’ll agree. But for the ones I don’t it would mean Protestants need a Father’s quote to prove anything. Nothing essentials to a Protestant needs such a history or proof. Everything essential to a Protestant is also essential to a Catholic. But not the other way.
So for instance quoting Clement of Rome as a Catholic to make a certain point. But then Clement in his epistle to Corinthians chapter 31 or 32 said something very protestant would be all I need in my mind to question the first quote used against me. Maybe Im going a bit of here. But as a mentioned previously. Its not the need for us to find any favour to us. The favour to us would be the favour to Catholics as well. It’s the “what we deem extras” that is put into question.
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You’re missing a huge warning about DIVISION from the Church Jesus established. It is condemned in scripture.
Where you ask?
This Greek word
διχοστασίας dichostasia = division / dissension / schism / factions /sedition / sects,
That same word is used in the following 2 selections.
The warning
Romans 16:17-20 (links operational)
[17] Now I beseech you, brethren, to mark them who make dissensions
διχοστασίας ] and offences contrary to the doctrine which you have learned, and avoid them.
[18] For they that are such, serve not Christ our Lord, but their own belly; and by pleasing speeches and good words, seduce the hearts of the innocent.
[19] For your obedience is published in every place. I rejoice therefore in you. But I would have you to be wise in good, and simple in evil.
[20] And the God of peace crush Satan under your feet speedily. The
the consequence
Galatians 5:19-21
[19] Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are fornication, uncleanness, immodesty, luxury,
[20] Idolatry, witchcrafts, enmities, contentions, emulations, wraths, quarrels, dissensions,
διχοστασίας ] sects,
[21] Envies, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like. Of the which I foretell you, as I have foretold to you, that they who do such things shall not obtain the kingdom of God.
not my words, but from Jesus
One might say that wasn’t Jesus talking that was Paul talking. Well…
The HS that inspired Paul to teach that, (
John 14:25-26 ) ultimately came from Jesus.(
John 16:12-15 ). Correct? And since Jesus will judge all souls, Jesus is telling us in advance through the HS, through Paul, how He will judge division from His Church. Agreed?
Jesus wants and describes perfect unity that He wants
John 17:20-23 . Nothing else but that unity will do. Otherwise He wouldn’t have given such a terrible consequence to a soul if they divide from His Church in this life and die in that state of separation. Separation from Him in this life, means eternal separation from Him in the next life. And there is no expiration date on that warning.
So one might ask, how do we know it’s the Catholic Church being spoken of, and how do we know the consequence spoken of by Paul is how bishops who followed the apostles understood it to be?
Bp Ignatius of Antioch,
- ordained by apostles in ~68 a.d., ( that is before Acts & Revelation are written)
- is a direct disciple of St John the apostle,
wrote the following ~107 a.d.
Re: the Catholic Church. Ignatius uses Christian (ch 2) and Catholic Church (ch 8)
Epistle to the Smyrnæans
Re: schismatics from the Catholic Church. Ignatius says they won’t be going to heaven
Epistle to the Philadelphians (ch 3) .
Is there any doubt where he got that teaching from?
For a condensed history of the 1st 400 years #
34 , all internal links are operational