Featured 'All Scripture'

This is true. The question really is are they to be looked at as authoritative or do they somehow have authority. I would say that the historical record of Christianity from the beginning until the 16th century say they are authoritative. Real humans actually made the decisions, only men can wield actual authority.

 

No, you have zero authority. You in and of yourself cannot tell anyone to do anything. It is only by declaring "Thus saith the Word of God," do you have any influence on anybody.

 

You are correct, I have no religious authority - but Bishops certainly do.

 

Do you have Scripture to prove that?

 

I

abuse children and cover up crimes... at will.

 

You have your reprobates as well, men who are Pastors, leaders in your churches who also sin terribly in the area of sexual crimes and immorality.

 

You tell me. Mr. John Smyth used his authority (unilaterally I might add) to change orthodox Christian doctrine for the doctrine your Christian sect now believes. Just how was he able do that?

 

You don’t say, however there isn’t a systematic coverup like you have. There is also something called a background checks that most use regarding pastoral candidates that we use as a part of the process.

 

There was systematic coverups, but no longer. In todays world the authorities are called and people are removed from ministries. The Bishops, especially here in America, are on board with these actions. We have a good discernment process now which has been ongoing for some time, and yes, we also do background checks. These type of sinfulness is an evil in the Church and must be stamped out, and if Pope Francis covered up for Cardinal McCarrick the Pope should resign.

 

I’m sorry but I remain skeptical for I have seen this before. The outraged laity must step up to the plate and exact meaningful changes... can you inform me how this is happening (in real-time). And let me say here that I’m not advocating distruction of the institution but real CHANGE & Transformation.

 

Oh but you do have Authority as the body of Christ... as the laity you can band together, deny them the money they need, shut down bad churches if need be. If it was done across the country that message would get back to Hippy Frank and his cronies back at the Vatican.

 

I think he had the authoritative word of God that he followed. He took that and became "the authority" that came up with the Baptist doctrine that all Baptists now look to. It's the same thing that the Mormons do, the Jehovah's Witnesses do, the Lutherans do, that every Christian faith tradition in effect does. Christians with different doctrines, besides the very basic ones that most Christian sects share.

 

Which He then proceeded to give to others. Surely you are aware of where that is reflected in the Holy Writ?

 

If you want a good laugh have a fresh regenerated Calvinst read and explain revelations to us.

Since they got their superior Gnostic super powers after hearing the gospel, should be a piece of cake.

 

Amen lets not add fake rules like "Scripture is the final and only authority."

 

So you are saying that the definition of being a Baptist is an adult who is baptized?