Why then do secular Roman documents from the times of persecution before Constantine speak of the main body of Christians as an organized group, led by Bishops in every major city, with their head Bishop in Rome, and the second the Bishop in Alexandria? You are aware of legal rulings where property disputes among Christians were settled by the imperial authorities by granting the award to the group in communion with the Roman Bishop? Haven't you ever thought where Constantine came up with the idea of having recourse to Pope Sylvester's opinion onsome religious matters? Such as maybe, Roman legal precedent by his predecessors, the Emperors?
You know how Constantine knew about this group of Bishops? Because his mother, St. Helena, was an Orthodox Catholic, and that long before Constantine even converted himself or the Empire.
But biblically, it is wholly unnecessary to be be involved with it for us to have a walk with God.
Doesn't your Bible admonish you to "hear the Church" (St. Matthew 18?)
Doesn't your Bible admonish you to "hear the Church" (St. Matthew 18?)
Yes, in the matter of one person offending another, FIRST the offended party is to go directly to the alleged offender and state his case and seek reconciliation. The matter is settled there, and a brother is "gained," if the two are reconciled. That is preferred to taking the matter to the church.
If the alleged offender can't see that he is in the wrong, then the offended party is to take one or two others with him. This is also preferred to taking it to the church. Reconciliation is attempted.
The last resort is to take the matter before the church. It does not say "Roman Catholic Church." It does not say "Baptist Church." It does not say "Presbyterian Church," It does not say "Reformed Church." It says simply "the church." In fact, there is no designation before the word "church" in any such passage of Scripture.