Oh it will do for me.
Psalm 18:31, "And who is a rock, except our God."
Isaiah 44:8, "Is there any God besides Me, or is there any other Rock? I know of none."
Rom. 9:33, "Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, and he who believes in Him will not be disappointed."
1 Cor. 3:11, "For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ,"
God said it, I believe it, that settles it.
>> Indeed it was this authority which ruled on what is the true canon of Scripture in the first place.<<
That is so old, tired and weak. God can use anyone for His purposes. Just because God uses a person or an organization means nothing as it relates to being true to Him. I would point to Judas, or any of the nations who came against Israel. It’s even stated in Revelation that God will “put a hook” in their jaw to bring them against Israel. Even if the RCC did “codify” what was already considered scripture long before there was an RCC it surely doesn’t mean they are true to His teachings.
I can play that game too:
You are Kepha (Rock), and upon this kepha (rock) I will build my church.God said it, I believe it, that settles it.
I can also add other Catholic teaching from the Bible:
[Jesus said:] “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.God said it, I believe it, that settles it.
(Matt 7:21)[jesus said:] "If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments."
(Matt 19:17)While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, l for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.
(Matt 26:26-28)[Jesus] said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”
(John 20:21-23)Therefore, brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours.
(2 Thes 2:15)So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
(James 2:17)
Just because God uses a person or an organization means nothing as it relates to being true to Him.
Except that the office of apostles established by Jesus was to continue after the death of the original twelve:
During those days Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers (there was a group of about one hundred and twenty persons in the one place). He said, “My brothers, the scripture had to be fulfilled which the holy Spirit spoke beforehand through the mouth of David, concerning Judas, who was the guide for those who arrested Jesus. He was numbered among us and was allotted a share in this ministry. He bought a parcel of land with the wages of his iniquity, and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle, and all his insides spilled out. This became known to everyone who lived in Jerusalem, so that the parcel of land was called in their language ‘Akeldama,’ that is, Field of Blood. For it is written in the Book of Psalms:And it is the Church, lead by the apostles and later bishops, which is the pillar and foundation of truth:‘Let his encampment become desolate,And:
and may no one dwell in it.’‘May another take his office.’Therefore, it is necessary that one of the men who accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus came and went among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day on which he was taken up from us, become with us a witness to his resurrection.” So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this apostolic ministry from which Judas turned away to go to his own place.” Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was counted with the eleven apostles.
(Acts 1:15-26)Do not neglect the gift you have, which was conferred on you through the prophetic word with the imposition of hands of the presbyterate.
(2 Tim 4:14)For this reason I left you in Crete so that you might set right what remains to be done and appoint presbyters in every town, as I directed you.
(Tit 1:5)
But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth.God said it, I believe it, that settles it.
(1 Tim 3:15)
What is really going on: God said, I interpretated it, my interpretation settles it.