The Church's Authority
Rooted in Scripture, guided by the Spirit
The Authority of the Catholic Church: The Heart of Division
The debate between Catholics and Protestants often boils down to one central issue: authority. Protestants frequently agree with Catholic theology on many key doctrines, such as belief in the Trinity, the Virgin Birth, the sanctity of marriage and family, and the defense of life. However, the authority of the Catholic Church is a sticking point, creating divisions that hinge upon the rejection of the Church’s God-given role as the visible steward of Christ’s mission on Earth.
This rejection forces Protestants to reinterpret or reject certain doctrines central to Catholicism—such as the Eucharist, Confession, and the papacy—not because these teachings lack scriptural or historical foundation, but because acknowledging them would necessitate accepting the Church's authority.
Scriptural Foundations for the Authority of the Church
The Catholic Church's claim to authority is deeply rooted in Scripture. Here are key passages that demonstrate Christ’s intention to establish a Church with clear, divinely ordained leadership:
1. Jesus Gives the Keys to Peter
"I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" (Matthew 16:19, NAB).
In this passage, Jesus entrusts Peter with the "keys to the kingdom," a symbol of authority rooted in the Old Testament (Isaiah 22:22). Peter is uniquely given the power to "bind and loose," signifying his leadership role and the authority to make decisions for the Church on Earth. This authority is not personal but delegated by Christ, ensuring that the Church remains united under His guidance.
2. The Apostles’ Authority to Forgive Sins
"Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained" (John 20:23, NAB).
Jesus grants the apostles the authority to forgive sins, a power exercised within the ministerial priesthood. This sacramental authority underpins the Catholic practice of Confession. Protestants often reject Confession not due to its absence in Scripture but because its practice requires belief in an ordained priesthood within an authoritative Church.
3. The Church as the Pillar of Truth
"But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth" (1 Timothy 3:15, NAB).
Paul explicitly describes the Church as the "pillar and foundation of truth," underscoring its role as the authoritative custodian of Christ's teachings. This verse highlights that Scripture alone cannot be the sole authority (a cornerstone of Protestant belief) but must be interpreted within the context of the Church established by Christ.
4. The Necessity of Unity
"That they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me" (John 17:21, NAB).
Christ’s prayer for unity is a direct challenge to divisions within Christianity. A fragmented Church with competing authorities undermines this call to oneness. The Catholic Church, with its apostolic succession and central authority in the papacy, provides the visible unity Christ desired.
The Human Element in the Church
One of the reasons people may drift toward the Protestant view is their disillusionment with the human failings of the Church. The Church on Earth does include sinful people, even among priests and bishops. However, it is essential to understand that even light can shine through a dirty window. Christ chose imperfect, sinful men to be His closest advocates and apostles, fully aware of their weaknesses.
It is precisely because humans are sinful and imperfect that Christ promised the Holy Spirit would guide the Church to all truth:
"But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth" (John 16:13, NAB).
The concept of infallibility is rooted in this promise. It is not a guarantee of personal holiness for the pope or bishops but a protection for the Church to preserve the truth that Christ and the apostles entrusted to it. The worse humanity is, the more sinful we are, the more we should thank God that He protects His Church from corrupting the Gospel message that Jesus came to bleed and die for.
Infallibility exists not for the sake of the pope or hierarchy, but for our sake—ensuring that the truth remains uncorrupted and available to all. The pope, like every person, has his own salvation to work out and is not guaranteed heaven. The gift of infallibility safeguards us from error in matters of faith and morals, allowing us to confidently follow Christ through His Church.
The Protestant Dilemma
Protestants face a theological and practical dilemma: rejecting the authority of the Catholic Church means rejecting the framework that upholds essential Christian teachings. This rejection often leads to doctrinal inconsistencies and endless divisions among Protestant denominations, as each pastor or leader becomes the final arbiter of Scriptural interpretation.
For example:
The Eucharist: If one accepts Jesus’ words at the Last Supper—"This is my body" (Luke 22:19, NAB)—as literal, then belief in the Real Presence naturally follows. However, this belief ties directly to the Church’s authority to consecrate the Eucharist, a power conferred through apostolic succession.
Confession: If one believes in John 20:23, where Jesus gives the apostles authority to forgive sins, then one must also believe in a priesthood through which this authority is exercised. Rejecting the Church’s authority makes this sacrament impossible.
The Papacy: Rejecting the pope as the successor of Peter undermines the visible unity Christ established through Peter. Without this unity, countless interpretations of Scripture emerge, leading to confusion rather than clarity.
The Catholic Church: Christ's Visible Authority on Earth
The Catholic Church’s authority is not self-assumed but divinely instituted. Christ established a visible Church with leaders to safeguard and transmit His teachings. This authority has been preserved through apostolic succession for 2,000 years.
To reject this authority is to sever oneself from the Church Christ founded and to rely instead on individual interpretation, which inevitably leads to division. Protestants who agree with Catholic theology in most areas but deny the Church’s authority must ask themselves: If the Catholic Church teaches the truth, why reject the authority given by Christ to uphold that truth?
Ultimately, the authority of the Catholic Church is not about power but service—service to Christ and His people, ensuring that the Gospel remains uncorrupted and faithfully proclaimed throughout the ages.