Maybe I’m misunderstanding your opinion/view of Scripture in the context of the “whole Church.” Do you interpret the Letter to Cyprian to refer specifically and exclusively to those in Communion with the Roman Pontiff?
Peace,
Anna
No the church of Rome was an honor bestowed upon Peter by Christ and is considered First. This is no doubt God talking to Peter. Which basically Cyprian is saying. Many of the early church fathers used different context to explain which has been interpreted in many different ways here. Some very bold in context to Rome and authority etc.
This doesn’t raise Peters authority to a higher status of the other apostles, matter of fact in 1 Cor 10:4 it even becomes an obstacle. Paul speaks at Carthage and they are worshipping Peter, Apollos, Christ etc. Paul makes the statement that Chist is the Rock. This is to re-focus the church on Jesus Christ {which it is} and not Peter. So the situation is not new it existed in Paul and the Apostles time.
Nonetheless Cyprian would be the closest. Since he further elaborates to the authority given all the apostles[did you read the last few lines of his statment]. Which is basically in line with the EO and apostolic succession. That statement from him was in regard to the schism of his day. Communion is a calling by the Pope for ALL christians to be covered by Gods hand through the apostles succession. We don’t view the EO for example as a break in the Apostles Succession.
“19Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.”
Holy Apostolic Church, surely its not in relation to two individuals standing on a street corner wishing for the same goal. Or anyone who was ordained outside of Apostolic Succession.
BTW There are also Protestant theologians who have come to believe the early church interpretation is correct.
“19Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
And this also is in relation to the one Holy Apostolic Church. While many may believe or think as the Quakers do that any three comprise a situation where the Holy Spirit is present. [and with Gods will that may well happen] Nevertheless this is another verse which IMHO only make’s sense in NT context to point to the Church with the authority of Apostolic Succession.
Now when we look at scripture in this sense. And todays fractured church in this sense then No-Salvation outside the church becomes not such an issue. As I had mentioned earlier. The Pope isn’t speaking for the CC, he is speaking to the world. In this sense he is proclaiming where salvation does exist with an arrow pointing to it. Just as the Pope’s comment more correctly tells the tale…“We know where the church is, we do not know where it is not”.
This is where apostolic succession has existed since Christ through the apostles and of course this wouldn’t exclude the EO or any church with apostolic succession.
Obviously the situation becomes more complicated as you add schism to the context. Everyone was called to Christs Church through the apostles. Should we assume salvation exists outside this church for the 3600 other protestant denominations? We understand as I mentioned God can save anyone he so desires. But to carry a Bible and have love for the Trinity etc… or “faith alone” isn’t in context with what the Bible or History in fact states. And here now we come to the power to Bind and Loose and the Sacrements of the Church. Which only those in apostolic succession were gifted with through God.
Everyone doesn’t have this authority. Should one be touched by God outside of what he states in scripture it doesn’t distract from scripture.
The many paths to heaven theory is not taught in the Catholic Church.
The context of the Bulls also explain those who were in the Church and left, those who know of it but refuse to follow…all which is grave error. Ignorance is of course another topic.
Do I believe in No Salvation in context with how I just elaborated, most definate. Nonetheless I have no idea who God so chose’s to save outside these guidelines. And if one should conclude that they have it down enough through education and free-will to seek God elsewhere? We pray for their salvation.
Reformation and the beliefs it bought through “Faith Alone” are not even in context with what most of the Protestant denominations are doing today. Sola Scriptura is taken so far out of context today especially through the internet that its a serious deviation from the Word of God. Though I believe that these people believe in what their “opinion” is of interpretation.
God Bless, Gary