It is my opinion the Church is a Divine institution that is commissioned to teach God's Divine Truth. As Truth is absolute immutable, and irreformable there can only be one “true” confessed faith, and only one tur Church. Given any number Churches each with one or more confesions of faith it is irrefutable that only one can be 'TRUE' or they are all wrong and we can conclude there is no truth at all, thus no God. Christ affirmed only one "fold and one shepherd." [Cf. Matthew 12:25, John 10:16, John 17:21-22, Philippians 2:2, etc. etc.].
It would seem to me that any true Church, one built on an absolute truth, must be without error. “That he [Christ] might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy, and without blemish. [Ephesians 5:27]
We the one true Church was commissioned by Christ and built on the Apostles along with their successors. “And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” [Matthew 16:18]. Logically it would not bear the name of its human founder.
When there is disagreement in the Church it is resolved within the Church and becomes binding on all of Christ’s faithful. “And if he will not hear them: tell the church. And if he will not hear the church, let him be to thee as the heathen and publican.” [Matthew 18:17]
The Church is prefigured in the Old Testament described as existing in the beginning before the law, lit by Scripture having the power of a two edged sword, earthly and spiritual. Take heed to yourselves, and to the whole flock, wherein the Holy Ghost hath placed you bishops, to rule the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. Acts 20:28. Where in the Old Testament do we find a prefigured Church whose founder is not Theandric?
One is my dove, my perfect one is but one, she is the only one of her mother, the chosen of her that bore her. The daughters saw her, and declared her most blessed: the queens and concubines, and they praised her. Who is she that cometh forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army set in array? [Canticles 6:8-9] How are 'many Churches', equally one, each the bride of Christ simultaneously and equally true?
The Church is "the Body of Christ" with Christ as her head, “but I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.” [1 Corinthians 11:3] Are there as many One God(s) as there are Churches? Some hold a Triune God, others a bi-une God, and still other others a monophysite god. From the early councils we are taught Christ is one person, one hypostasis, two natures
The True Church of Jesus Christ recognizes “One Lord, one faith, one baptism.” [Ephesians 4:5] Many churches don’t hold to any of the sacraments, yet they are commanded for our defense.
But thou, O Lord, remove not thy help to a distance from me; look towards my defense. [Psalms 21:20]
The soldiers therefore, when they had crucified him, took his garments, (and they made four parts, to every soldier a part,) and also his coat. Now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. They said then one to another: Let us not cut it, but let us cast lots for it, whose it shall be; that the scripture might be fulfilled, saying: They have parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture they have cast lots. And the soldiers indeed did these things. [John 19:23-24] While the True Church is yet alive fulfilling its place in scripture, are the 'many churches' casting lots for what they think are remnants of Christ?
He said to him the third time: Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved, because he had said to him the third time: Lovest thou me? And he said to him: Lord, thou knowest all things: thou knowest that I love thee. He said to him: Feed my sheep. [John 21:17]. Who is feeding you?
JoeT
