Our salvation is in Mary

[LanaPodesta]

What do you mean by “the authority of the Church”?

The Church has the authority to define and teach doctrine.

 

[Free]

The Church has the authority to define and teach doctrine.

You don’t seem to understand. By “the Church” is meant the whole body of Christ, which contains numerous branches, a few of which are large and many of which are small. There is no single authority except Christ himself as the head.

 

[LanaPodesta]

By “the Church” is meant the whole body of Christ, which contains numerous branches, a few of which are large and many of which are small

Who says?

 

[Free]

Who says?

The apostle Paul.

 

[LanaPodesta]

The apostle Paul.

Paul himself submits to the authority of the Church at the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15), where doctrinal disputes are resolved collectively by the Apostles and elders, demonstrating that the Church operates as a visible, unified body, not an abstract, fragmented concept.

 

[Free]

Paul himself submits to the authority of the Church at the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15), where doctrinal disputes are resolved collectively by the Apostles and elders, demonstrating that the Church operates as a visible, unified body, not an abstract, fragmented concept.

Back then when the Church was small and in that particular case where they were dealing with a brand new issue. And their final decision was based on Scripture.

The Church is fragmented and always has been. Just read Acts 15 and see that it was about disagreement in how the Torah applies to Gentile believers. The fact of the matter is, not everyone who goes to church or is a member of a church is actually a true believer. Every single church is a mix of believers and unbelievers, most of whom falsely think they are actual believers.

The Church is made up of all those who are true believers. Hence, it is fragmented.

 

[LanaPodesta]

Back then when the Church was small and in that particular case where they were dealing with a brand new issue. And their final decision was based on Scripture.

The Church is fragmented and always has been. Just read Acts 15 and see that it was about disagreement in how the Torah applies to Gentile believers. The fact of the matter is, not everyone who goes to church or is a member of a church is actually a true believer. Every single church is a mix of believers and unbelievers, most of whom falsely think they are actual believers.

The Church is made up of all those who are true believers. Hence, it is fragmented.

If you're basing your argument on Paul's actions at the Council of Jerusalem, you're appealing to an event where the visible Church, not Scripture alone, exercised authority to resolve doctrinal disputes, which undermines your claim that the Church is fragmented and defined solely by "true believers" rather than by its visible, apostolic structure.