Sola Scriptura? Really?

[aspen]

Where are these Protestant teachings found in the Bible?

'scripture interprets scripture'

'ask Jesus into your heart'

'alter calls'

'the church is not needed'

'faith alone' - only mention once in the NT in James 2:24

'remarrying divorced couples'

'Praying to Jesus'

'Celebrating Easter'

'Celebrating Christmas'

'Worshiping on Sunday'

 

[Foreigner]

Right next to where it teaches that Mary never actually died but rather was taken up into heaven bodily.

 

[HammerStone]

"Both Scripture and Tradition must be accepted and honored with equal sentiments of devotion and reverence."

-Catechism of the Catholic Church, Par. 82

I think the idea of taking it from the Bible > taking it because someone, somewhere said so. Jesus kinda came down because that was the whole problem.

Mark 7:8-13
"You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men." And he said to them, "You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition! For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.' But you say, 'If a man tells his father or his mother, "Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban"' (that is, given to God) then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do."

Let's run with the Mary example for a moment - if you answer Foreigner's query, then the correct answer would be in the negative. So, we base it off of tradition, then. Someone, somewhere said that Mary was taken up. So, we enhance the prominence of Mary to elevate her to a +1 status. It's a bit of a pattern at this point.

Fool me once, as the old saying goes.

 

[Arnie Manitoba]

Protestants like to compile lists of the things they disagree with regarding the Catholics.

If Protestants compiled lists of things they do wrong themselves , and the errors they make .... the list could be quite lengthy and embarrassing.

Much easier to examine "the other guy"

That same thing can often be applied to individual Christians ..... we much prefer examining everybody .... except ourselves.

Some things never change.

Our sinful nature loves to examine others

Our sinful nature hates to examine ourselves.

The Holy Spirit dwelling within the Christian tries to overcome the sinful nature

If we let it.

 

[Pelaides]

There is no perfect christian church that i know of.They all make mistakes.When Jesus left,the false prophets and false doctrines started popping up.Look at what happened to Paul and Barnnabas both of these men were filled with the Holy Spirit,and they argued over the law.

 

[neophyte]

There is no perfect christian church that i know of.They all make mistakes.When Jesus left,the false prophets and false doctrines started popping up.Look at what happened to Paul and Barnnabas both of these men were filled with the Holy Spirit,and they argued over the law.

Pelaides, Christ only established "One Church". Jesus said" my church" found in [ Matt.16: 16-18 ] Jesus said that His Church would contain both "good and bad ' members as foretold by Christ in [ Matt. 13: 24-30 ] [ Matt.5:13-16 ] [ Matt. 13:1-9 ] notice in the following verses that the "doctrine' was delivered back then ,not later in the 16th onward future centuries.[ Romans 16:17-18 ] and [ 1 Cor. 1: 10 ]
Christ’s apostles were sent by him endowed with the authority to teach in his name: "And he appointed twelve, to be with him, and to be sent out to preach . . ." (Mk 3:14).
Let’s look at the reputations of some of the apostles.
A Thief and a Traitor

The most notorious of the apostles is, of course, Judas Iscariot—the one who betrayed Jesus.
"Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What will you give me if I deliver him [Jesus] to you?’ And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him" (Mt 26:14-16).
Of Judas, Jesus said, "It would have been better for that man if he had not been born" (Mt 26:24).
Judas seems like an obvious example of a scandalously sinful person who Jesus appointed to represent him. But some might argue that Judas was not corrupt when Jesus first appointed him an apostle, not until the Last Supper when "Satan entered into" him (cf. Lk 22:3, Jn 13:27), or that Judas died before he ever got a chance to really "represent" Jesus.
But Scripture indicates that Judas was a serious sinner before the Last Supper. For example, consider the story of Lazarus’ sister Mary anointing Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume: "Judas . . . said, ‘Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?’ This he said, not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box he used to take what was put into it" (Jn 12:4-6).
So Judas was a thief long before he betrayed Jesus. But did he ever really represent Jesus? Scripture indicates that he did—he was one of the apostles to whom Jesus said: "And preach as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand’" (Mt 10:7).
Jesus entrusted preaching to Judas, a serious sinner! (More on this later.)
Finally, some might claim that Jesus didn’t know of Judas’ sinful character when he appointed him to be an apostle. John’s Gospel tells us otherwise:

[Jesus said,] "But there are some of you that do not believe." For Jesus knew from the first who those were that did not believe, and who it was that should betray him . . . "Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?" He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was to betray him. (Jn 6:64, 70-71)​

In other words, Jesus knowingly appointed a thief and a betrayer to preach on his behalf.
Only One Church is the True Church and it was founded by Jesus through His Apostles/ successors ,not a church invented by mere-men centuries later.That One Apostolic Church is the Church that contains and preaches an everlasting unchangeable Doctrine , it alone contains all truth in her doctrinal teaching [ 1 Tim. 3:14 ]

 

[justaname]

• Scripture interprets scripture is a logical statement. Knowing that all scripture is God breathed, (2 Tim 3:16) it is only fitting we use scripture to interpret itself.
• Ask Jesus into your heart is something like opening the door for Him. He stands there knocking (Revelation 3:20), asking Him into your heart is inviting Him in.
• Alter calls are something done for those who are convicted by something during the assembly "church." It allows someone who is moved by the Holy Spirit to confess Jesus as Lord.
• Faith alone is a misconception because if we were to allow scripture to interpret scripture we would know we need a working/faith. It is through faith and grace we come to salvation, but if no fruit is present, salvation is absent also. (James 2:19) (James 2:24)
• I do not know any denomination that thinks the church is not needed.
• Remarrying divorced couples is done by the discretion of the one marrying, not all Protestants will do this, and each case is unique to itself.
• Praying to Jesus is taught by our Lord. (John 14:13)
• The celebrations are done in response to the different cultural activities during those times, I believe this was started by brethren of the Roman persuasion, but I may be mistaken.
• Worshiping on Sunday started because our Lord was resurrected on Sunday. Also the fact that the Jews practiced the Sabbath, to worship on Sunday was a way for Christians to establish themselves as being different from Judaism and not just another sect.

Pelaides, Christ only established "One Church". Jesus said" my church" found in [ Matt.16: 16-18 ] Jesus said that His Church would contain both "good and bad ' members as foretold by Christ in [ Matt. 13: 24-30 ] [ Matt.5:13-16 ] [ Matt. 13:1-9 ] notice in the following verses that the "doctrine' was delivered back then ,not later in the 16th onward future centuries.[ Romans 16:17-18 ] and [ 1 Cor. 1: 10 ]
Christ’s apostles were sent by him endowed with the authority to teach in his name: "And he appointed twelve, to be with him, and to be sent out to preach . . ." (Mk 3:14).
Let’s look at the reputations of some of the apostles.
A Thief and a Traitor

The most notorious of the apostles is, of course, Judas Iscariot—the one who betrayed Jesus.
"Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What will you give me if I deliver him [Jesus] to you?’ And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him" (Mt 26:14-16).
Of Judas, Jesus said, "It would have been better for that man if he had not been born" (Mt 26:24).
Judas seems like an obvious example of a scandalously sinful person who Jesus appointed to represent him. But some might argue that Judas was not corrupt when Jesus first appointed him an apostle, not until the Last Supper when "Satan entered into" him (cf. Lk 22:3, Jn 13:27), or that Judas died before he ever got a chance to really "represent" Jesus.
But Scripture indicates that Judas was a serious sinner before the Last Supper. For example, consider the story of Lazarus’ sister Mary anointing Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume: "Judas . . . said, ‘Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?’ This he said, not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box he used to take what was put into it" (Jn 12:4-6).
So Judas was a thief long before he betrayed Jesus. But did he ever really represent Jesus? Scripture indicates that he did—he was one of the apostles to whom Jesus said: "And preach as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand’" (Mt 10:7).
Jesus entrusted preaching to Judas, a serious sinner! (More on this later.)
Finally, some might claim that Jesus didn’t know of Judas’ sinful character when he appointed him to be an apostle. John’s Gospel tells us otherwise:

[Jesus said,] "But there are some of you that do not believe." For Jesus knew from the first who those were that did not believe, and who it was that should betray him . . . "Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?" He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was to betray him. (Jn 6:64, 70-71)​

In other words, Jesus knowingly appointed a thief and a betrayer to preach on his behalf.
Only One Church is the True Church and it was founded by Jesus through His Apostles/ successors ,not a church invented by mere-men centuries later.That One Apostolic Church is the Church that contains and preaches an everlasting unchangeable Doctrine , it alone contains all truth in her doctrinal teaching [ 1 Tim. 3:14 ]

You are correct in stating there is only "One Church." That church is the Church Universal. This church is made up of the entire body of believers in Christ. (John 1:12-13)

Neo you could take heed from these teachings.
1John 4:20
Matthew 5:9
Titus 3:10
1Peter 4:8

If it is that Jesus created unity amongst Jews and Gentiles, slave and free, men and women; (Galatians 3:28) why is it that you must create dissension amongst professing Christians?

We know there is a church in Rome, but that is not the only church that has ever existed. They too belong to the Universal Church, but they are not exclusive.

From Revelation we see our Lord address seven different churches. Epistles from the apostles are written to several different churches. Phillip was used by the Lord to help establish a church in Ethiopia. Acts 8:26-40

You see my friend true unity is found in Christ. Authority is in God and His Word, not man. The church is people, not a building.
This is taken from Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible


Church
The common English translation of Gk. ekklēsɩ́a. At the time of the composition of the NT it was widely used to refer to gatherings of people in some kind of assembly. In the Greek version of the OT ekklēsɩ́a was used for the people of God (Israel) gathered together for an important purpose (Judg. 20:2; 1 Chr. 29:1; cf. Acts 7:38). In the NT it refers mainly to the people of God gathered in the name of Jesus or the God of Jesus Christ (Eph. 3:21; 5:23; 1 Thess. 1:1; 1 Cor. 10:32).
The NT understands “church” to refer to the visible expression of the gathered followers of Jesus Christ who have been grafted into a community created by God, under the banner of Jesus Christ, embodying in an anticipatory way the life and values of the new creation. As such the Church stands in direct continuity with the historic people of God (Israel); but as an eschatological community of the last days, marked off by its acknowledgment of Jesus as Lord and Messiah, there are discontinuities as well.


Upon the death of Jesus, after the disciples returned to faith and the Holy Spirit fell upon the fledgling, but still frightened messianic community in Jerusalem, Peter became the instrument who furnished the word as to how humans may become part of the new messianic community and participate in the salvation brought by Jesus (Acts 2:14–42). When that day ended with the repentance and baptism of several thousand, it could be verified that the community of the end time, the Church, had been inaugurated. Jesus announced the Church and the Holy Spirit inaugurated it.

 

[neophyte]

• Scripture interprets scripture is a logical statement. Knowing that all scripture is God breathed, (2 Tim 3:16) it is only fitting we use scripture to interpret itself.
• Ask Jesus into your heart is something like opening the door for Him. He stands there knocking (Revelation 3:20), asking Him into your heart is inviting Him in.
• Alter calls are something done for those who are convicted by something during the assembly "church." It allows someone who is moved by the Holy Spirit to confess Jesus as Lord.
• Faith alone is a misconception because if we were to allow scripture to interpret scripture we would know we need a working/faith. It is through faith and grace we come to salvation, but if no fruit is present, salvation is absent also. (James 2:19) (James 2:24)
• I do not know any denomination that thinks the church is not needed.
• Remarrying divorced couples is done by the discretion of the one marrying, not all Protestants will do this, and each case is unique to itself.
• Praying to Jesus is taught by our Lord. (John 14:13)
• The celebrations are done in response to the different cultural activities during those times, I believe this was started by brethren of the Roman persuasion, but I may be mistaken.
• Worshiping on Sunday started because our Lord was resurrected on Sunday. Also the fact that the Jews practiced the Sabbath, to worship on Sunday was a way for Christians to establish themselves as being different from Judaism and not just another sect.

You are correct in stating there is only "One Church." That church is the Church Universal. This church is made up of the entire body of believers in Christ. (John 1:12-13)

Neo you could take heed from these teachings.
1John 4:20
Matthew 5:9
Titus 3:10
1Peter 4:8

If it is that Jesus created unity amongst Jews and Gentiles, slave and free, men and women; (Galatians 3:28) why is it that you must create dissension amongst professing Christians?

We know there is a church in Rome, but that is not the only church that has ever existed. They too belong to the Universal Church, but they are not exclusive.

From Revelation we see our Lord address seven different churches. Epistles from the apostles are written to several different churches. Phillip was used by the Lord to help establish a church in Ethiopia. Acts 8:26-40

You see my friend true unity is found in Christ. Authority is in God and His Word, not man. The church is people, not a building.
This is taken from Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible


Church
The common English translation of Gk. ekklēsɩ́a. At the time of the composition of the NT it was widely used to refer to gatherings of people in some kind of assembly. In the Greek version of the OT ekklēsɩ́a was used for the people of God (Israel) gathered together for an important purpose (Judg. 20:2; 1 Chr. 29:1; cf. Acts 7:38). In the NT it refers mainly to the people of God gathered in the name of Jesus or the God of Jesus Christ (Eph. 3:21; 5:23; 1 Thess. 1:1; 1 Cor. 10:32).
The NT understands “church” to refer to the visible expression of the gathered followers of Jesus Christ who have been grafted into a community created by God, under the banner of Jesus Christ, embodying in an anticipatory way the life and values of the new creation. As such the Church stands in direct continuity with the historic people of God (Israel); but as an eschatological community of the last days, marked off by its acknowledgment of Jesus as Lord and Messiah, there are discontinuities as well.


Upon the death of Jesus, after the disciples returned to faith and the Holy Spirit fell upon the fledgling, but still frightened messianic community in Jerusalem, Peter became the instrument who furnished the word as to how humans may become part of the new messianic community and participate in the salvation brought by Jesus (Acts 2:14–42). When that day ended with the repentance and baptism of several thousand, it could be verified that the community of the end time, the Church, had been inaugurated. Jesus announced the Church and the Holy Spirit inaugurated it.

Not according to this verse of Matt.18: 15-16, it looks like there was and still is only "One Church" with the same doctrine then as now, in that verses you can almost hear the note of amazement in the voice of Jesus when He said " If he refuses to listen even to the church.... " implying that for someone to ignore the Church---- His Church , [ Jesus said "my church " singular usage, in Matt.16; 16-18 ] would be the height of stupidity and foolishness . Sadly , for the past 5-6 hundred years, many have followed that tragic course of ignoring the teaching authority of His Apostolic/Catholic Church.
Furthermore in these verses we can easily see where the "doctrine" was only given to His Apostolic/ Catholic Church "Back Then " not in the 16th century,No other church or churches along with their off-shoot cults are necessary. Jesus never gave anybody else the authority to invent other churches different from His One Apostolic Universal Church.Read these verses for confirmation - Romans 16:17-18 and 1 Corinthians 1;10

 

[IanLC]

I hope this is not wnother Protestant vs Catholic debate. Do we not all want to lift up Jesus and see men and women saved? Why are we still fighting of this? There are Protestants and Catholics we may differ but we are still One! We are both the Church!

 

[justaname]

Not according to this verse of Matt.18: 15-16, it looks like there was and still is only "One Church" with the same doctrine then as now, in that verses you can almost hear the note of amazement in the voice of Jesus when He said " If he refuses to listen even to the church.... " implying that for someone to ignore the Church---- His Church , [ Jesus said "my church " singular usage, in Matt.16; 16-18 ] would be the height of stupidity and foolishness . Sadly , for the past 5-6 hundred years, many have followed that tragic course of ignoring the teaching authority of His Apostolic/Catholic Church.
Furthermore in these verses we can easily see where the "doctrine" was only given to His Apostolic/ Catholic Church "Back Then " not in the 16th century,No other church or churches along with their off-shoot cults are necessary. Jesus never gave anybody else the authority to invent other churches different from His One Apostolic Universal Church.Read these verses for confirmation - Romans 16:17-18 and 1 Corinthians 1;10

I am a part of that very Church that you are because I believe. I am united by the Holy Spirit with all believers! I am seated in the Heavens with Christ because I believe. Jesus Christ is my Shepherd because I believe.

If it is you have a different gospel please tell me, but to be a part of God's family is a basis of faith. (John 1:12-13)

 

[neophyte]

I am a part of that very Church that you are because I believe. I am united by the Holy Spirit with all believers! I am seated in the Heavens with Christ because I believe. Jesus Christ is my Shepherd because I believe.

If it is you have a different gospel please tell me, but to be a part of God's family is a basis of faith. (John 1:12-13)

Please explain; you throw one verse at me yet reject or ignore the Bible verses that I found in the Bible, why is that?

 

[justaname]

How many times does God need to say who are children are? You still have not addressed this verse I posted.

 

[neophyte]

How many times does God need to say who are children are? You still have not addressed this verse I posted.

God made us all, past, present and future.God is the Father of everything, especially the human race. I answered that verse, now it's your turn to answer my verses, or can you?

 

[aspen]

Right next to where it teaches that Mary never actually died but rather was taken up into heaven bodily.

Nicely done, Foreigner!

Too bad Catholics do not believe in the man made doctrine of the Bible Alone, huh?

I think the idea of taking it from the Bible > taking it because someone, somewhere said so. Jesus kinda came down because that was the whole problem.

Mark 7:8-13
"You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men." And he said to them, "You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition! For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.' But you say, 'If a man tells his father or his mother, "Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban"' (that is, given to God) then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do."

Let's run with the Mary example for a moment - if you answer Foreigner's query, then the correct answer would be in the negative. So, we base it off of tradition, then. Someone, somewhere said that Mary was taken up. So, we enhance the prominence of Mary to elevate her to a +1 status. It's a bit of a pattern at this point.

Fool me once, as the old saying goes.

Well, you know, Tradition really isn't based on thin air. There is actually history that backs it up, hammerstone. In a land and Christian culture that venerated everything about the disciples and Holy places, there is no recorded grave site for Mary.

There is no perfect christian church that i know of.They all make mistakes.When Jesus left,the false prophets and false doctrines started popping up.Look at what happened to Paul and Barnnabas both of these men were filled with the Holy Spirit,and they argued over the law.

Churches are run by fallible humans. It is just a bit tiring to be stuck across the face with the beam in the eye of so many Protestants lately.

I hope this is not wnother Protestant vs Catholic debate. Do we not all want to lift up Jesus and see men and women saved? Why are we still fighting of this? There are Protestants and Catholics we may differ but we are still One! We are both the Church!

I am just asking some simple questions.

I am not claiming that Protestants are not Christian - which is much nicer than all the' Protestants believe Catholics are a cult' threads on this board.

I am a part of that very Church that you are because I believe. I am united by the Holy Spirit with all believers! I am seated in the Heavens with Christ because I believe. Jesus Christ is my Shepherd because I believe.

If it is you have a different gospel please tell me, but to be a part of God's family is a basis of faith. (John 1:12-13)

That is good news, justaname! Glad you agree we are part of the same Body - too bad so many people who post on this board do not believe Catholics are included.

 

[IanLC]

Doctrine divides, faith unifies in love. Yes we need correct and biblical doctrine yet we also need to acknowledge each other in Christ with love! You were not there when I accepted Jesus as my saviour! You were not there when I was on my knees praying and asking God to trully save me and fill me with the Holy Ghost! You were not there when I was going in and out of sin moaning and crying over my inquities! I was not there when you got saved! I can not fight nor dispute with you about your own personal salvation in Jesus Christ! For it is Christ Jesus who justifies and saves! If you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour then you are my brother and sister in Christ regardless of if you speak in tongues or dont believe in it, Catholic or Protestant or Pentecostal regardless we are united by the blood of Jesus Our Saviour!

 

[aspen]

Doctrine divides, faith unifies in love. Yes we need correct and biblical doctrine yet we also need to acknowledge each other in Christ with love! You were not there when I accepted Jesus as my saviour! You were not there when I was on my knees praying and asking God to trully save me and fill me with the Holy Ghost! You were not there when I was going in and out of sin moaning and crying over my inquities! I was not there when you got saved! I can not fight nor dispute with you about your own personal salvation in Jesus Christ! For it is Christ Jesus who justifies and saves! If you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour then you are my brother and sister in Christ regardless of if you speak in tongues or dont believe in it, Catholic or Protestant or Pentecostal regardless we are united by the blood of Jesus Our Saviour!

Awesome! Very exciting news!

 

[justaname]

Neo,

You are mistaken. Jesus claimed there are those with a different father. John 8:44
To speak of salvation it is to confess and believe. Romans 10:13
Believers make up the body of Christ. 1 Cor 12:14
Scripture teaches that there are churches of Christ. Romans 16:16, 1 Cor 14:33, Gal 1:22

Nicely done, Foreigner!

Too bad Catholics do not believe in the man made doctrine of the Bible Alone, huh?



Well, you know, Tradition really isn't based on thin air. There is actually history that backs it up, hammerstone. In a land and Christian culture that venerated everything about the disciples and Holy places, there is no recorded grave site for Mary.



Churches are run by fallible humans. It is just a bit tiring to be stuck across the face with the beam in the eye of so many Protestants lately.



I am just asking some simple questions.

I am not claiming that Protestants are not Christian - which is much nicer than all the' Protestants believe Catholics are a cult' threads on this board.



That is good news, justaname! Glad you agree we are part of the same Body - too bad so many people who post on this board do not believe Catholics are included.

I love the Roman Catholic brethren.

 

[aspen]

I love the Roman Catholic brethren.

Cool!!!

 

[epouraniois]

You are correct in stating there is only "One Church."

For the purpose of edification and clarification, church:

the word church is used in the plural many times in Scripture.
Some are called out ones who will inherit the earth
Some are called out ones who will inherit the New Jerusalem
Some are called out ones who will inherit the heavenly places


The Greek word ekklesia means assembly, or a gathering of called-out ones. It is used seventy times in the Septuagint for the Hebrew kahal (from which latter we have our word call), rendered in Sept. by sunagoge and ekklesia

kahal is used (1) of Israel as a People called out from the rest of the nations (Gen. 28:3); (2) of the tribal council of Simeon and Levi, those called out from each tribe (Gen. 49:6); (3) of an assembly of Israelites called out for worship or any other purpose (Deut. 18:16; 31:30. Josh. 8:35. Judg. 21:8); (4) any assembly of worshippers as a congregation (Ps. 22:22, 25. Ekklesia in Matt. 16:18; 18:17. 1Cor. 14:19, 35, &c.); (5) the equivalent ekklesia of separate assemblies in different localities (Acts 5:11; 8:3. 1Cor. 4:17, &c.); (6) of the guild or "union" of Ephesian craftsmen (Acts 19:32, 41), and v. 39 (the lawful assembly). Finally, the special Pauline usage of ekklesia differs from all these. Other assemblies consisted of called-out ones from Jews, or from Gentiles (Acts 18:22), but this new body is of called-out ones from a new creation consisiting of both.

Our word "church" has an equally varied usage. It is used (1) of any congregation; (2) of a particular church (England, or Rome, &c); (3) of the ministry of a church; (4) of the building in which the congregation assembles; (5) of Church as distinct from Chapel; (6) of the church as distinct from the world, and lastly, it is used in the Pauline sense, of the body of Christ.

It is of profound importance to distinguish the usage of the word in each case, else we may be reading "the church which was in the wilderness" into the Prison Epistles, although we are expressly told that there is neither Jew nor Gentile in the "church which is His body". And when our Lord said "On this rock I will build my church" (Matt. 16:18), those who heard His words could not connect them with the "mystery" which was "hid in God" and had not then been made known to the sons of men.

The word where qualified by other terms occurs thus:

Church of God; Acts 20:28. 1Cor. 1:2; 10:32; 11:16 (pl.), 22; 15:9. 2Cor. 1:1. Gal. 1:13. 1Thess. 2:14 (pl.). 2Thess. 1:4 (pl). 1Tim. 3:5, 15 (c. of the living God).
Churches of Christ; Rom. 16:16.
Church in .. house; Rom. 16:5. 1Cor. 16:19. Col. 4:15. Philem. 2.
Churches of the Gentiles; Rom. 16:4.
Churches of Galatia; 1Cor. 16:1. Gal. 1:2. Of Asia; 1Cor. 16:19. Of Macedonia; 2Cor. 8:1. Of Judaea; Gal. 1:22. Of the Laodiceans; Col. 4:16. Of the Thessalonians; 1Thess. 1:1; 2Thess .1:1.
Church of the firstborn (pl); Heb. 12:23.
Church in Ephesus, Smyrna, &c. Rev. 2 and 3; and
Churches; Rev. 22:16.

 

[Foreigner]

Nicely done, Foreigner!

Too bad Catholics do not believe in the man made doctrine of the Bible Alone, huh?

-- So the Bible is simply "man made doctrine" Uh huh....

Well, you know, Tradition really isn't based on thin air. There is actually history that backs it up, hammerstone.

-- So, since something is a "tradition" that automatically means it is not only a good thing but based on truth....

In a land and Christian culture that venerated everything about the disciples and Holy places, there is no recorded grave site for Mary.

-- Care to ponder just how many characters in the New Test. never had a burial place recorded or identified?
THIS is the threshold for basing a belief that Mary never died?
Catholics do set the bar high, don't they?