Walking in Faith

(information is gathered from the bible.org theology program)

Sola Ecclesia — belief that the Roman Catholic Church is infallible and equal to Scripture as a basis for doctrine

Point #1: Scriptures say that there were other things Christ did that weren’t written down
Scripture to support:

• John 21:25

Scripture contains sufficient information to bring an individual to salvation and to live a life in Christ.  It does not contain all information of Christ.

Scripture to dispute:

• John 20:30-31

Note: Initially, Pope of Roman Catholic Church did not begin creating Papal bulls until 13th century.  Before then, he did not have this authority. 

Point #2: NT speak about importance of tradition
Scripture to support

• 2 Thes 2:15
• 1 Cor 11:2
• Jude 1:3

The traditions that Paul was referencing was the gospels or the regula fidei.  Canon was pretty much solidified around 150 AD.  Not because an infallible authority came in and declared it, but because people recognized the Word of God. 

Point #3: Christ gave infallible authority to the Church and the apostles
Scripture to support

• John 20:23: apostolic succession – not only did Apostles replace themselves, they replaced themselves with another Apostle (with authority)
• Matthew 18:18
• Matthew 16:17-19: Peter confesses Christ as the Son of God; established as “the rock”

Who knew Christ better?  John or us?  John because he had a direct relationship with Christ.  John discipled a man named Polycarp.  Who knew more about Christ — Polycarp or us?  What Polycarp wrote was accurate, meaningful and important.  It doesn’t mean that he knew more or less.  He have additional data that Polycarp did not have; Polycarp had more details than we have.  Irenaeus was discipled by Polycarp.  Who knew more about Christ — Irenaeus or us?

We, as believers, being in apostolic succession because we believe that we are still teaching and practicing the tradition which was the gospel (similar to giving oldest child the ability to babysit younger siblings, but they are not a parent). 

There is no explicit or implicit teaching that authority was passed on through apostolic succession.  To find doctrine of infallible apostolic succession must be eisegetical theology (reading your theology into the text rather than deriving your theology).

The Great Schism occurred in 1054 which was an argument over papal authority.   The theory of papal infallibility can’t be found in the Church until 1870.

Point #4: Without the infallible declaration of the Church, there would be no way of knowing what books belong in the canon of Scripture.

There is not an inspired “table of contents”.  We look for a recognition which produces moral certainty (evidence is overwhelming).  An example of something similar would be that the sun is going to rise tomorrow. 

Point #5: Without the infallible authority of the Church, there would be major division on matters of doctrine and morals.
Scripture to support:

• John 17:22-23

Christ did not pray for organizational unity but functional unity (baptism by the Holy Spirit into one body).  Catholicism is just one denomination among thousands.