I wasn’t commenting on the Church having it right or not. Obviously being Lutheran, I think that the Catholic Church, especially in the Germanic area had strayed and become corrupt during the Middle Ages which led to the Reformation. I was commenting on the lack of biblical support for the current organizational structure of the Catholic Church. Which is draws mainly on church tradition.
I really don’t have a problem with the hierarchy of the Catholic Church. How a particular chuch chooses to organize is their business. I just don’t find a strong biblical basis for the papacy. The actual concept of the papacy as it is today and has been over the last several hundred years is based more on Church tradition than the famous “On this Rock Verse”. I don’t dispute that Christ sent Peter out to build up his church, he gave many disciples special jobs and duties according to their talents. However he did not say “Peter on this Rock I build my church and it will be organized in such and such a manner, based in Rome and all bishops of Rome will lead the chuch.” Obviously as the early church grew it had to be organized and governed and the current structure evolved. I think there are a lot of pros and cons to the hierarchy of the Catholic Church and how it organizes itself.
Hi Alyx-
Have you ever considered that the Church is really bottom up? The Church is the mustard seed.[BIBLEDRB]matt 13:31-32[/BIBLEDRB] Have you considered the NT actually came out of the Tradition? What do you think Matthew meant when he wrote [BIBLEDRB]matt 18:17[/BIBLEDRB]
Have you read any of the Church Fathers? Some of these, such as Ignatius of Antioch were actual students of St. John the beloved Apostle! While not inspired, their writings certainly give us insight as to how the early Church grew, what it believed, and what was heresy.
St Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to Smyrneans
Chapter VIII. Let nothing be done without the bishop.
See that ye all follow the bishop, even as Jesus Christ does the Father, and the presbytery as ye would the apostles; and reverence the deacons, as being the institution [1027] of God. Let no man do anything connected with the Church without the bishop. Let that be deemed a proper [1028] Eucharist, which is [administered] either by the bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it. Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude [of the people] also be; **even as, wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church. It is not lawful without the bishop either to baptize or to celebrate a love-feast; but whatsoever he shall approve of, that is also pleasing to God, so that everything that is done may be secure and valid. [1029] See that ye all follow the bishop, even as Christ Jesus does the Father, **and the presbytery as ye would the apostles. Do ye also reverence the deacons, as those that carry out [through their office] the appointment of God. Let no man do anything connected with the Church without the bishop. Let that be deemed a proper [1030] Eucharist, which is [administered] either by the bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it. Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude [of the people] also be; even as where Christ is, there does all the heavenly host stand by, waiting upon Him as the Chief Captain of the Lord’s might, and the Governor of every intelligent nature. It is not lawful without the bishop either to baptize, or to offer, or to present sacrifice, or to celebrate a love-feast. [1031] But that which seems good to him, is also well-pleasing to God, that everything ye do may be secure and valid.
But I understand what you mean. I was Assemblies of God before entering the Church and didn’t understand why communion was only for Catholics. But, even for Catholics the Eucharist is only for those properly disposed to receive it (who aren’t in mortal sin), so it’s not just non-Catholics who may not receive.
