ScottA
Well-Known Member
A. No, it assumes that by reading the account of Jesus asking His disciples who they say He is, that you would recognize that the greater topic was not Peter's involvement, but God's. In other words, there is a fork in the road at that juncture, and some go one way and some go the other. But it's no contest, and if it were it is not against us who have chosen revelation from God rather than filing in behind Peter - it's against God. So, Jesus didn't call Peter aside or call a meeting and say, "Peter I have a job for you." He asked a question to get a specific answer, not from Peter, but from the Father...and Peter was chosen to represent the process which Jesus explained would be the means by which He would build His church.A)This statement assumes that authoritative teaching on faith and morals without the Holy Spirit has occurred.
B) It also assumes the Church became a mere human institution after the finalization of the canon of Scripture.
(A)&(B) are absurd. The removal of the divine from the institutional church is a Gnostic error, because the historic Church is an extension of the Incarnation united by the Eucharist. The structure of the Church is modeled after the Davidic Kingdom, and councils are modeled after the Council of Jerusalem in Acts 15.
Using the same verses does not mean you are saying the same thing.
John 14:26 – Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit would teach the Church (the apostles and successors) all things regarding the faith. This means that the Church can teach us the right moral positions on such things as in vitro fertilization, cloning and other issues that are not addressed in the Bible. After all, these issues of morality are necessary for our salvation, and God would not leave such important issues to be decided by us sinners without His divine assistance.
John 16:12 – Jesus had many things to say but the apostles couldn’t bear them at that point. This demonstrates that the Church’s infallible doctrine develops over time. All public Revelation was completed with the death of the last apostle, but the doctrine of God’s Revelation develops as our minds and hearts are able to welcome and understand it. God teaches His children only as much as they can bear, for their own good.
John 16:13 – Jesus promises that the Spirit will “guide” the Church into all truth. Our knowledge of the truth develops as the Spirit guides the Church, and this happens over time.
1 Cor. 2:13 – Paul explains that what the ministers teach is taught, not by human wisdom, but by the Spirit. The ministers are led to interpret and understand the spiritual truths God gives them over time.
But it is very telling and important about a person for God to see just who lines up behind Peter, and who has an ear to hear what the spirit says. It tells who is actually getting the message that Jesus was meaning to convey, who is actually hearing from God. And that means little to those of us who have perceived the greater matter of what He said in setting up the fork in the road. But it does mean a lot to those who have not perceived it, and it also means something to God - it means you are not in tune with the greater mission.
So...feed the poor, and preach the word. But by following Peter, you are on the wrong bath to get the same revelation that even Peter got. He was hearing in the spirit, and you have been on the alternate path of following the flesh. Both are necessary, but you cannot claim the spiritual, and walk the other path. Your choice.
A & B. Yes it is absurd to choose one path and think you are accomplishing the other. And the funny hats don't help.
But, not to worry, His strength is made perfect in our weakness.
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