The Teaching Authority of The Church
Without teaching, we are left with confusion. Some, one person, or institution must be the ultimate arbiter otherwise we are left to our own individual feelings. Logically this has to be true otherwise we have different doctrines. Biblically we can see this authority given to the Apostles with Peter as the leader.
Most obvious-"You are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my Church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it" (Matt. 16:18).
Peter taught that "no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God" (2 Pet. 1:20–21) and went on to warn about those who taught without authority: "There will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction" (2 Pet. 2:1).
Paul taught, "Stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter" (2 Thess. 2:15), and "If anyone refuses to obey what we say in this letter, note that man, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Do not look on him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother" (2 Thess. 3:14–15).
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