If you're going by this verse -
I Timothy 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."
The church is the many membered body that holds to the traditions that Christ/prophets/apostles brought forth. And I'll say there are few and far between churches today that bring forth that truth- nothing less, nothing more.
If I may, here are some briefs from the Catechism of the Catholic Church regarding the Church
777 The word "Church" means "convocation." It designates the assembly of those whom God's Word "convokes," i.e., gathers together to form the People of God, and who themselves, nourished with the Body of Christ, become the Body of Christ.
778 The Church is both the means and the goal of God's plan: prefigured in creation, prepared for in the Old Covenant, founded by the words and actions of Jesus Christ, fulfilled by his redeeming cross and his Resurrection, the Church has been manifested as the mystery of salvation by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. She will be perfected in the glory of heaven as the assembly of all the redeemed of the earth (cf. Rev 14:4).
779 The Church is both visible and spiritual, a hierarchical society and the Mystical Body of Christ. She is one, yet formed of two components, human and divine. That is her mystery, which only faith can accept.
780 The Church in this world is the sacrament of salvation, the sign and the instrument of the communion of God and men.
And I'll say there are few and far between churches today that bring forth that truth- nothing less, nothing more.
So, if what you say above is true, how would you explain the thousands of different Protestant, non-denominational, Independent churches and sects that have varying beliefs of the truth?
That's what the true and early church were founded on.
Jesus founded His Church on St. Peter as the “Rock” and head of the Apostles, who would be the pillars of the Church Jesus founded, with Him as the Head and we, as the members of His Body. (Mt. 16: 13-19; Jn 20: 15-19. 1 Cor. 12:27. Col 1:18.)
Thankfully the church today can still meet anywhere as long as they are grounded in the same truths brought forth.
Again, if this were true, how would you explain the thousands of different Protestant, non-denominational, Independent churches and sects that have varying beliefs of the truth?
Not traditions of men that make void the word of God.
I would assume you are referring to Matt. 15:6; Mark 7:8, and Col. 2:8. If so, Jesus did say that the Pharisees nullified God’s word for the sake of their tradition, but he did not condemn tradition itself. Indeed, Scripture’s attitude toward apostolic Tradition is positive. Tradition is important to every person and every group of people. It represents our education, our culture, everything that has been handed on to us from previous generations. Tradition is—by definition—what is handed on. The term comes from the Latin word tradere, “to hand on.”
Some traditions, like some of the Pharisees’ traditions, can be harmful. Others, being of merely human origin, are not authoritative. Scripture lumps both under the heading “traditions of men.” But not all traditions are in this category. For Christians, the Faith handed down to us from Christ and the apostles is of unparalleled importance. In this passing down of the Faith is referred to as “Sacred Tradition” or “Apostolic Tradition” (with a capital “T” to distinguish it from other, lesser, “lowercase” traditions).
Initially, the apostles handed on the Faith orally—by preaching— but with time some of them and their associates wrote the New Testament documents, which together with the Old Testament comprise Sacred Scripture. Since Scripture has been handed down to us from the apostles, it is the inspired, written part of Sacred Tradition. Whether or not an item of Tradition was written in Scripture, it is still important and binding. Thus the New Testament exhorts the reader to maintain Sacred Tradition (1 Cor. 11:2; 2 Thess. 3:6), and in 2 Thessalonians 2:15, Paul tells his readers to “stand firm and hold to the Traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter.”
Another noteworthy passage is 2 Tim. 2:2, in which Paul instructs his protégé, “what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” Bearing in mind that Paul wrote this letter just before he died (cf. 2 Tim. 4:6–8), Paul is exhorting the transmission of Sacred Tradition across generations of Christian leaders—from his generation to Timothy’s generation, to the ones that will follow.
Ephesians 2:19 "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;"
Ephesians 2:20 "And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone;"
The divisions among peoples and their nations are now removed because all who profess Jesus as Lord and Savior are citizens of Christ's Kingdom of the Church and members of God's holy family—the "household of God." It is a "household" built upon the foundation laid down by the Apostles and Christian prophets (Ephesians 6:5; Mt 5:17; Lk 24:27, 44-45; CCC 542-43).
If your church has in any way swayed from their teachings or added new ones I don't think they can be included in the true church. Which again this is the many membered body that holds to the traditions that were brought forth by Christ and the prophets/apostles. This goes for any denomination/church. I left mine when they taught false doctrines that could not be backed up by what Christ/prophets/apostles taught.
By who's or what authority did you determine the church you left was teaching "false doctrines"? Also, how can you be sure the church you presently attend is not teaching false doctrines as well? By who's or what authority do you believe, to be sure?
Paul wrote 1st Timothy 3:15 but he also wrote this-
Acts 20:29 "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock."
So, what do you believe are the main points of Paul's address in verses 17-35?
We have to use the Word of God to back up anything one is teaching to see if it is contrary to what Christ and the prophets/apostles brought forth.
Interesting. So again, I must ask, who is it you believe has the authority to make that determination? Your Pastor? Yourself?
Paul says hold to the traditions they brought forth.
Yes, 2 Thessalonians 2:15. Paul tells his readers to “stand firm and hold to the Traditions which you were taught by us, either by "word of mouth" or by letter.
Have a Blessed Day!
