What is the source of the Church’s authority?

http://catholicsay.com ^ | June 2, 2015

[NKP_Vet]

The source & nature of Church authority is one of the major issues that beginning Catholics have to examine and come to terms with.

The Catholic Church makes an amazing claim: it teaches, governs, and sanctifies with the authority of Christ himself.

Catholics believe that this gift of Church authority is one of the jewels that Christ has given to us as an aid to our salvation.

Keep three things in mind:

There is a large amount of evidence in Scripture to support the Catholic Church’s claim to authority, as well as from early Church history. The nature and scope of Church authority are widely misunderstood. Rejection of this claim is usually based on the common misconception of “misplaced worship” — the accusation that Catholics worship the something else (the Church, the Pope, Mary, the Saints, etc.) instead of God. After briefly stating the Church’s teaching on this subject, we’ll look at some of the major Scriptural sources for this doctrine. Catholic Church authority in brief

Christ himself is the source of the Church’s authority.

The New Testament shows that Christ deliberately created his Church to be the vehicle of his continuing mission in the world. He promised to remain present in his Church for all time, and he lovingly guides it through the presence of the Holy Spirit.

To ensure the success of this mission, Christ gave his Church the ability to teach, govern and sanctify with Christ’s own authority. The Apostles appointed successors to ensure that the Gospel would continue to be handed on faithfully as “the lasting source of all life for the Church” (Vatican II, “Lumen Gentium” 20; also Catechism #860).

The source and guarantee of this Church authority is Christ’s continuing presence in his Church — “Lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age” (Mt 28:20).

The purpose of this authority is to give the Church the ability to teach without error about the essentials of salvation: “On this rock, I will build My Church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it” (Mt 16:18).

The scope of this authority concerns the official teachings of the Church on matters of faith, morals, and worship (liturgy & sacraments). We believe that, because of Christ’s continued presence and guarantee, his Church cannot lead people astray with its official teachings (which are distinct from the individual failings and opinions of its members, priests, bishops, and Popes).

Church authority in Scripture

The New Testament bears witness in numerous places to the fact of Church authority. It clearly shows that Christ gave his Apostles his own authority to continue his mission.

(Remember that Catholics view the Bible as one of two definitive witnesses to divine Revelation. Christ taught many other things to the Apostles that are not recorded in Scripture; we call this Catholic Tradition, literally meaning “that which is handed on”. Tradition is the full, living faith of the Apostles as received from Christ.)

Here are some of the more important Scriptural references that address Church authority.

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.” (Mt 28:18-20)

This brief passage contains several critical points about Church authority: Jesus tells the Apostles that the authority he is giving them derives from his own, divine authority. (“All authority…” / “Go therefore”.) The Apostles’ authority and mission comes directly from Christ himself. The nature of this mission is to lead or govern (“make disciples”), sanctify (“baptizing them”), and teach (“teaching them to observe”). Christ promises to remain present with them always in support of this mission (“I am with you always”). Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, even so I send you.” (Jn 20:21)

In this passage, Jesus commissions the Apostles with continuing his own mission. Again, this mission has its source in the divine authority of the Father. (CCC 859) “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.” (Mt 10:40) And: “He who hears you hears Me, and he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.” (Lk 10:16)

Here, Christ explicitly identifies himself with the Apostles: this identification is so complete that accepting or rejecting the Apostles is the same as accepting or rejecting Christ. What’s more, both passages compare the union between Christ and his Apostles to that of the Son and the Father within the Holy Trinity.

“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build My Church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven.” (Mt 16:18-19)

This is a key passage for understanding the Catholic doctrine of Church authority: Christ’s deliberate intent to establish a new Church (“I will build My Church”) His choice of Peter as the foundation, or head, of this Church Christ confers on Peter his own divine authority (“the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven”) for ruling the Church (“bind” and “loose”). This power to “bind and loose”, repeated also in Mt 18:18 to the Apostles as a whole, is understood as applying first to Peter and his successors (the Pope), and then to the rest of the Apostles and their successors (the other Bishops) in union with Peter. The Acts of the Apostles (a New Testament book) provides abundant evidence of how Church authority was practiced during the Apostolic age (during the lives of the Apostles themselves, after the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ).

In Acts, we see repeated examples of the Apostles teaching, governing, and sanctifying (baptizing and confirming, as well as “breaking the bread”).

One of the most striking passages in Acts tells how the Apostles describe their decision about whether pagan converts should submit to the Jewish laws of circumcision. They say, “For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us” that those laws of the Old Covenant should not apply (Acts 15:28). This passage shows:

The Apostles knew that they had the governing power necessary to decide this question (this is a huge point: they’re overriding the ritual law of the Old Covenant!); and They are conscious of the presence of the Holy Spirit who is guiding their decision, so ultimately it is God who has decided the matter. This passage in Acts would be meaningless, even blasphemous, if the Apostles did not in fact possess the authority of Christ, supported and guided by the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Finally, the various Epistles in the New Testament (the letters of Paul, Peter, etc.) likewise give many examples of the Apostles exercising their teaching and governing offices. In fact, those letters only exist because the Apostles knew that it was their role to teach and lead the various local churches!

The nature & scope of Church authority

It is important to repeat that this authority exists so that Christ can continue to guide his Church in the continuing work of salvation. Church authority is entirely at the service of that work.

We believe that Christ desired the Church to have this authority so that we could be sure of essential matters of the Faith.

The scope of this authority is limited to things that are essential to our salvation: faith, morals, and worship (the sacraments and liturgy). Additionally, since the Church’s authority is at the service of Christ’s gift of divine Revelation, the Church takes care to show how its declarations about faith and morals are consistent with that Revelation (Scripture and Tradition).

It’s important to see this authority as something other than a simplistic being able to “boss you around.” Actually, most Catholics experience Church authority in the form of straightforward declarations regarding faith & morals:

That something is or is not a part of the Faith; and That living in accordance with the Faith requires or forbids certain actions. You always retain the freedom to decide whether or not to remain in the Faith by following those teachings.

(In the Gospels, there are many cases where people hear Christ but evidently decide not to follow him. By definition, his disciples are those who seek to follow him closely and learn from him. Even when it’s hard. Catholics see the Church as continuing in Christ’s role of teaching the truth: “He who hears you hears me.”)

Why do Protestants reject this claim?

Non-Catholics usually base their rejection of Church authority on the common misconception of “misplaced worship”: it is claimed that Catholics worship the Church instead of God.

Opponents of this authority sometimes also accuse the Catholic Church of claiming power that is only proper to God.

Catholics believe that this criticism is mistaken.

The best argument for the Catholic doctrine of Church authority comes from the New Testament itself: the Acts of the Apostles reveals the Church’s self-image as a body at the service of Christ’s saving Gospel, acting in the ways and structures taught to them by Christ himself. The Apostles are keenly aware of the authority that has been given to them by Christ, and of their own need to remain ever faithful to Christ as they exercise that authority.

Additionally, this same Church authority is the only thing that guarantees the accuracy and inerrancy of the Bible itself. It was the Church that selected the books of New Testament and defined the canon of the Bible. Those who believe that the Bible is reliable, are in fact relying on the Church’s testimony that the New Testament books accurately reflect the faith & teachings of the Apostles, which is in turn grounded in the faith & teachings of Christ.

(There were many other writings available that were not selected to be a part of the Bible because their contents were flawed in some way. The Church itself made the selection many years after the death of the Apostles, based on its living witness to the Faith, guaranteed by the guidance of the Holy Spirit.)

[Religion Moderator]

No problem, easy mistake to make.

[metmom]

Petra = Jesus.

1 Corinthians 10:1-4 For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock (petra) that followed them, and the Rock (petra) was Christ.

http://biblehub.com/text/romans/9-33.htm

Romans 9:30-33 What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, as it is written,“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock (petra) of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

http://biblehub.com/text/1_peter/2-8.htm

1 Peter 2:1-8 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,

“The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,”

and

“A stone of stumbling, and a rock (petra) of offense.”

[NKP_Vet]

“No man can find salvation except in the Catholic Church. Outside the Catholic Church one can have everything except salvation. One can have honor, one can have sacraments, one can sing allulia, one can answer amen, one can have faith in the name of the Father, and of the son, and of the Holy Ghost, and preach it too, but never can one find salvation except in the Catholic Church.”

~ St. Augustine (354-430) Bishop and Doctor of the Church.

[af_vet_1981]

You left that part out about the history of your church.

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
Luke, Catholic chapter twenty two, Protestant verses thirty one to thirty two,
First Peter, Catholic chapter five, Protestant verses eight to nine,
as authorized, by not authored, by King James

Except the one holy catholic apostolic church had faithfully copied and passed on the scriptures, century after century, you would have no Bible with which to accuse blessed Peter, night and day. We who love him know that blessed Peter is in the kingdom of heaven with the keys that the Messiah gave him, according to the scriptures.

[Mom MD]

Wrong is wrong no matter who says it. Its a good thing my salvation does not depend on your twisted theology. I am most definitely saved, and have not nor ever will be part of the RC church.

[af_vet_1981]

Why do you “talk,” if not “pray” to these “saints?”

Catholics love the brethren.

But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
John, Catholic chapter eleven, Protestant verses twenty two to twenty six,
John, Catholic chapter seventeen, Protestant verse twenty four,

[ealgeone]

“No man can find salvation except in the Catholic Church. Outside the Catholic Church one can have everything except salvation. One can have honor, one can have sacraments, one can sing allulia, one can answer amen, one can have faith in the name of the Father, and of the son, and of the Holy Ghost, and preach it too, but never can one find salvation except in the Catholic Church.”

~ St. Augustine (354-430) Bishop and Doctor of the Church.

You're saying that a mortally wounded soldier who accepts Christ as Savior and dies just seconds after his profession of faith is not saved??

He has not been baptized, had communion, anything other than he's professed faith in Christ.

Heaven or Hell?

What say you?

[Salvation]

John 3:5

[ealgeone]

The question is do you have to be a member of the roman catholic church to have salvation? That's the premise NKPVet is advancing in the post.

So again I ask:

You're saying that a mortally wounded soldier who accepts Christ as Savior and dies just seconds after his profession of faith is not saved??

He has not been baptized, had communion, anything other than he's professed faith in Christ.

Heaven or Hell?

What say you?

Based on NKPVet's post there are only two choices to pick from.

Heaven or Hell.

[NKP_Vet]

Pardon me. Forgot that you’re a lot smarter than St. Augustine and all other doctors of the Church, who by the way were all Catholic.

[MHGinTN]

And on this Augustine was wrong.

[ealgeone]

What is your take on those ECFs who have differing conclusions than those cited by the rcc?

[MHGinTN]

The soldier in question was born of water, at birth. In his profession of faiht in Christ he is born from above by the SPirit.

[ravenwolf]

“No man can find salvation except in the Catholic Church. Outside the Catholic Church one can have everything except salvation. One can have honor, one can have sacraments, one can sing allulia, one can answer amen, one can have faith in the name of the Father, and of the son, and of the Holy Ghost, and preach it too, but never can one find salvation except in the Catholic Church.”

---

No, I do not Believe that.

[ravenwolf]

What say you?

---

The only thing I can say is

Luke 23:39-43

[39] One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”

[40] But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? [41] We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

[42] Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

[43] Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

[Syncro]

Your quote?

Small potatoes, NKP_Vet.

Don't forget this part:

All Human Creatures Are Subject to the Pope

Popes have more influence that a mere Bishop and Doctor of the Church, right?

Check these out to reinforce your quote that declares that all Christians outside the Catholic Church have no chance for salvation:

"The universal Church of the faithful is one outside of which none is saved." Pope Innocent III, ex cathedra, Fourth Lateran Council (1215 AD)

We declare, say , define, and pronounce that it is absolutely necessary for the salvation of every human creature to be subject to the Roman Pontiff.” -Pope Boniface VIII, Unam Sanctam (1302 AD)

“The Most Holy Roman Church firmly believes, professes and preaches that none of those existing outside the Catholic Church, not only pagans, also Jews, heretics, and schismatics can ever be partakers of eternal life, but that they are to go into the eternal fire ‘which was prepared for the devil and his angels’ (Mt. 25:41) unless before death they are joined with Her… No one, let his almsgiving be as great as it may, no one, even if he pour out his blood for the Name of Christ can be saved unless they abide within the bosom and unity of the Catholic Church.” Pope Eugene IV, ex cathedra, Council of Florence, Cantate Domino (1441 AD)

I especially like the part that says "no one, even if he pour out his blood for the Name of Christ can be saved unless they abide within the bosom and unity of the Catholic Church

There are thousands of martyrs for Jesus in the Kingdom of God right now, resting at the bosom of Jesus Christ, who would disagree with that statement. Reminds me of the shortest verse in the Bible, "Jesus wept"

More popesquotes [I coined a word, I hope that is not reported for bashing]:

"The holy universal Church teaches that it is not possible to worship God truly except in Her and asserts that all who are outside of Her (The Catholic Church) will not be saved." Pope Saint Gregory the Great (590-604)

“By heart we believe and by mouth confess the one Church, not of heretics but the Holy Roman, Catholic, and Apostolic Church outside (The Catholic Church) which we believe that no one is saved.” Pope Innocent III, Eius exemplo, 18 December 1208

"Some say they are not bound by the doctrine which teaches that the Mystical Body of Christ and the Roman Catholic Church are one and the same thing. Some reduce to a meaningless formula the necessity of belonging to the true Church in order to gain eternal salvation. Others finally belittle the reasonable character of the credibility of Christian Faith. These and like errors, it is clear, have crept in among certain of our sons who are deceived by imprudent zeal for souls or by false science.” -Venerable Pope Pius XII, Humani Generis

Well, that pretty much proves it.

You win NKP_Vet.

We must all be subject to the Catholic Pope and a member of the Catholic Church to be saved.

But then, there is this...

All of those "pontifications" pretty much write off many Bible passages, of which I will post one:

that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved--Romans 10:9

I certainly agree with this phrase from the last popequote: Others finally belittle the reasonable character of the credibility of Christian Faith.

[Syncro]

I don't either.

Like I have said many times to my dear Catholic fellow posters here...I have no problem with you believing and following all that Catholicism teaches, but do NOT try to squish all that into the many born again believers here.

We have a personal relationship with Jesus, not a religion and are quite content to abide in Christ.

[mitch5501]

"We have a personal relationship with Jesus, not a religion and are quite content to abide in Christ."

Amen!

[Syncro]

It’s so simple isn’t it?

[mitch5501]

Yes it is.The one thing though that makes Christianity so hard to believe is that it's just too good to be true!

Hence John 6:29