I have not found anything in the Bible or teachings of Jesus that there is “one true Church”, if so they would have named it. There is also nothing in the Bible that gives one or some human beings more religious authority than others.
Human beings are sinners. The goal is to try to be better. If we are pretending that leaders of a church are more moral than we are, we are off course. If we teach that prophets or “saints” are holier than we are, we have gone off the reservation of what Jesus was teaching us.
Church leaders, whatever the title, are teachers and messengers. It is not about them, they are frail, sin-laden humans just as we are. The focus is the message: “Jesus Saves”. Anything else is a distraction.
The pomp and circumstances aren’t needed. The golden domes, the palaces, the wealth are distractions. Who are they trying to impress? Christians should not be any more impressed than they would be a Televangelist and his private jet.
“Saints” have no power to listen or answer prayers or intercede or bring a message to Jesus, they are certainly not necessary Biblically. Jesus-God can hear our prayers, we don’t need 10,000 Saints dressed as USPS employees to deliver them. The idea that an earthly ‘authority’ (not existent Biblically) can dictate to God who is a “Saint” is ridiculous.
A personal walk with Jesus is just that, no intermediaries are needed ever.
..............
Having said all that, I am usually the among first ones to stick up for the Catholics when the liberals and media attack them. I am always calling for these liberal faux “Catholic” organizations and groups to be ex-communicated and told to stop using that word.
I understand that on the vast majority of issues we are allies and I also do consider them Christian.
**I have not found anything in the Bible or teachings of Jesus that there is “one true Church**???
What Bible are you reading? The one that Luther changed?
“I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.”
“Unless you eat my fles and drink my blood you shall not have life everlasting.”
Christianity did not end with the Crucufixation...in fact it actually began then....The "one true church" was indeed mentioned....."upon this Rock I will build My church"
and your concept of a "saint" is flawed....anyone who dies in the grace of God is a saint....you and I can be saints.....we will probably not be recognized by the church, but we will be saints nevertheless. Tha "named" saints are merely those whose lives have been outstanding enough to convince the church that they are in Heaven. It takes a little doing, nomination, a miracle or two attributed to you, and a life history justifying your canonization. Now, if the church declares that you have met these requirements....why would it not be proper to ask St, Peter, St paul et.al. to pray for us....they are in heaven and maybe they can help us!!!!