ArchivedCatholics vs ProtestantsActs 9:10-19
10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Behold, here am I, Lord." 11 And the Lord said to him, "Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight. " 13 But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Thy saints at Jerusalem; 14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call upon Thy name. " 15 But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; 16 for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name's sake. " 17 And Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 18 And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he arose and was baptized; 19 and he took food and was strengthened. NAS
Ananias layed hands on Paul so he could regain his sight. However, Jesus (not the disciple Ananias) called Paul and endowed him with power to preach God's truth.
Ananias was not an apostle who could transfer apostolic authority to Paul.
Paul did not accept the infallible leadership of Peter.
So? There have been plenty of Bishops that have said things wrong, Papal Infallibility isnt like a Invisible Force-shield [if you will] that protects the Bishop from Error. Study, prayer and discussion with research must be undertaken for a proper decision to be made.
Do you realize you just admitted that Peter was only a Bishop and not the an infallible Pope? If you read the account in Galatians Peter committed hypocrisy in fear of James and the church at Jerusalem. It seems that James was regarded as the supreme authority not Peter. In Act 15 James presides over the church council not Peter. Peter shares his experiences with Cornelius but it is Paul and Barnabas who give the evidence that shows the church council God's truth and will for the gentiles. Gal 1:8-10
8 But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed. 10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ. NAS
What was the gospel Paul preached? Salvation and justification by faith, a faith that produces works ordained by God. James is teaching the same concept. Faith without works is no faith at all since the fruit of a saving faith is works that glorifies God. Works without faith is nothing more than seeking self glory. Heb 11:6-12
6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. 8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; 10 for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11 By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised; 12 therefore, also, there was born of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many descendants as the stars of heaven in number, and innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore. NAS
By faith Noah, Abraham, and etc. performed works of faith that glorified God; they did not perform works that led to faith. Faith and good works go hand-in-hand but without faith your works are nothing.
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