Does the church Christ founded have any authority? If so, how is is applied in the physical world we live in?

Question

You may want to look at John 14:6, 1 Tim3:15, Matt 18:15-17 and (Acts 15:28-29 with Acts 16:4) and see which church actually applies this ideology and methodology.

petrone07, I appreciate you answering the first question, but could you please elaborate using Biblical references?

Jesus is Lord,
That's just plain funny. Do you really think that that site has any Scriptural proof that we Catholics believe what Chick says we do? Well just in case you weren't sure...We don't.

edcw...
How then can you apply Jesus' advice in Matt 18:15-17? Which church does the buck stop? Which church has the truth since it is the church which is the defender and standard of truth (1 Tim 3:15). Your answer is not Scripturally sound.

I CAN SEE THAT MOST WHO ANSWER MY QUESTION AREN'T ACTUALLY REFERENCING SCRIPTURE OR EVEN LOOKING UP THE VERSES I WROTE AS A STARTING POINT.

The poor Widow,

So, how then is the Church's authority, given by Christ, applied in the world we live in? Which Church has the truth?

robert,
I like the info you posted. The only correction I have is that Ignatius of Antioch was the apostle John's disciple of 30 years ( the one whom Christ loved). He wrote those letters only 10 to 15 years after John's death. Nice info though, thanks.

Answer 1

Hi, Robin. Unlike the answerers so far, I looked up the scriptures you recommended.

John 14:6. Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

Basic Christianity here. If we call ourselves Christians, we have to take Christ's way, including his teachings about the Church. For example, he appointed Simon Peter as its first leader, and gave him "keys to the kingdom," including the power to make decisions binding not only on earth, but in heaven.

1 Tim 3:15. If I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

This is St. Paul writing about about Jesus' organization. The Church, not the writings later to be collected in the Bible, is the pillar and foundation of truth. The teachings of Jesus cannot be contained in all the books in the world (John 21:25). Accordingly, the disciples that walked with Jesus, witnessed his miracles, and asked him questions became the essential interpretive community for understanding the Gospel--i.e., the Church.

Matt 18:15-17. "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. . . . If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

Here the Church is the final authority in settling disputes among Christians, with the power to excommunicate anyone who will not respect its authority and repent of serious sins.

Acts 15:28-29. It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.

Here we see the leaders of the Church meeting to "bind" and "loose" the behaviors required of Christians. The Church decided to declare all foods clean except blood and animals strangled or sacrificed to idols, and it outlawed sexual immorality--still an important lesson for Christians tempted to sex outside of marriage.

Acts 16:4. As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey.

As this verse shows, the Church had a hierarchy, so that decisions reached by the leadership were promulgated to the many congregations spreading into Greece, Asia Minor, and across the Roman empire.

Conclusion: The actual organization founded by Jesus received great authority to make decisions for Christians and to enforce those decisions in Christian assemblies in New Testament times, just as the Catholic Church has exerted similar authority down through history. In this we see Christ's promise borne out: "The gates of hell will not prevail against it."

Cheers,
Bruce

Answer 2

While Scripture is evidence enough for the marks of Christ's Church, we can see in the writings of Ignatius -- written in the first century, within 67 years of Christ's resurrection, by a close friend and appointee of the Apostle Peter and friend of Polycarp -- that the early Church had a very Catholic interpretation of Scripture:


the Church was Divinely established as a visible society, the salvation of souls is its end, and those who separate themselves from it cut themselves off from God (Epistle to the Philadelphians)
the hierarchy of the Church was instituted by Christ (Epistles to the Philadelphians and the Ephesians)
the threefold character of the hierarchy (Epistle to the Magnesians)
the order of the episcopacy superior by Divine authority to that of the priesthood (Epistles to the Magnesians, Smyraenians, and the Trallians)
the importance of unity of the Church (Epistles to the Trallians, Philadelphians, and the Magnesians)
emphasis on the holiness of the Church (Epistles to the Smyraeans, Ephesians, Magnesians, Trallians, and Romans)

the catholicity of the Church (Letter to the Smyraeans)

the infallibility of the Church (Epistles to the Philadelphians and the Ephesians)
the doctrine of the Eucharist -- i.e., belief in Transsubstantiation or the Real Presence of Christ in Communion (Epistle to the Smyraeans)
the Incarnation (Epistle to the Ephesians)
the supernatural virtue of virgnity (Epistle to Polycarp)
the religious character of matrimony (Epistle to Polycarp)
the value of united prayer (Epistle to the Ephesians)
the primacy of the Chair of Peter (Epistle to the Romans, introduction)
a dencouncing of the (later Protestant) doctrine of private judgement in matters of religion (Epistle to the Philadelphians)1

Answer 3

Jesus founded His Church on the Rock of Peter and his office that hasbeen handed down

If the Church has no authority,then who discerns what is inspired Scripture and who (and through what Tradition )does the interpreting and application of the Bible and its meaning?
Without the Church how can one know which of the hordes of conflicting interpetations of the Bible could be accepted over others?The appeal to other parts of the Bible is good but that becomes a circular argument.
The authority of the Bible in Traditon in the Church is applied in situations that need direction and the Church needs to speak clearly in situations of conflict and confusion.

Answer 4

All authority resides in Jesus Christ, Himself.

Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

1Ti 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

It would be dishonest to post the verses from Matthew that you suggest, without posting the surrounding context (which would take up far too much room here). Your verses suggest that the church ought to judge every offense between it's members, but goes on to compare God's Kingdom to a king who forgave his servant, only to have that same servant go out and cruelly judge his fellows, and explains that the king then threw that servant into prison...and finishes with the admonition:
Mat 18:35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Your verses from Acts discuss the Apostle's decision concerning whether or not gentiles who wished to convert to Christianity ought to be circumcised...(and shows absolutely that Christianity was NOT simply a branch of Judaism)...however, if you'll notice, Paul DOES circumcise Timothy, "because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek."
Why does he do this? Why does Timothy agree to such a painful procedure, when the Apostles had just decided that it was unnecessary?

I don't know what "church" you might be talking about...but I think you might have missed the point Jesus, Luke, and Paul were all trying to make.
Jesus came to teach us MERCY, not judgment.
When you speak of a "church" that applies "authority" over it's members, what comes to my mind is Jesus...and He is saying "scribes, Pharisees...HYPOCRITES!!"

What, then, is the conclusion of the matter?
Ultimately, ALL authority rests with Jesus. NO MAN on earth may usurp His authority. Every person who calls him/herself a Christian willingly places him/herself under HIS authority.
What will He say to you?
Will you hear "Well done, my Precious Child"?
Or will it be "Who are you? I never knew you".....

Answer 5

There is only 1 church, however, there are now false churches (cults) and some of the same church (christ founded) rejects some of its own members.

It does have authority. It's authority is over itself, as well as over some demons and their works.

Lk:9:1: Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

Answer 6

The body of Christ still has authority. It is applied in the everyday life of Christians. Anything taking place in the spiritual realm will eventually manifest in the physical realm. What I'm saying is to locate Christian churches that are truly teaching the Living Word and all of the wonders of God will be revealed unto you.

Answer 7

Yes, Christ founded the Roman Catholic CHurch 2000 years ago, and gave Peter (The Pope) the authority to "bind and loose" on earth with Christ's authority. God bless.

Answer 8

Christ did not found a church man did ! Christ preached Love and brotherly love . He instructed his disciples to preach his words ! Not to form a church.

Answer 9

The physical world is under man's law. Only one's consciousness can apply Christ's authority into that law. Ever wonder why some people get mercy, while others don't?

Answer 10

It has all the authority and Christ is our high priest "In charge".
If you need scripture reference I suggest you read the new
testament.


God loves you....God bless