Authority of Scripture

Hi Lutero,

You said:

Misunderstanding the authority of the scriptures is at the true root of all the different christian beliefs out there.

No. It is disobeying the authority of the Church.

I believe scriptures such as II Pt 3:16-17

You mean, II Tim 3:16:17

teach that Jesus gave us the scriptures to be the guidance, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

If you don’t mind, lets read that again. Before we do, ask yourself these questions:
1. Who is teaching, rebuking, correcting and training the man of God?
2. Is the man of God reading the Scripture himself? Or is someone explaining to him the Word of God?
3. Does the verse say that Scripture is “necessary”? Or merely “useful”?

What we, Catholics, see in that verse, is a confirmation of the “three legged stool” of passing on the Faith. Tradition, Scripture and Magisterium. St. Paul, a Bishop of the Catholic Church, is teaching (i.e. exercising the Tradition of Magisterium which is commanded in John 28:19-20) St. Timothy how to pass on Tradition using Scripture when it is useful.

There is nothing there about Scripture alone. Read the rest of 2 Tim and you will find that St. Paul is teaching how to preach and teach in the entire Epistle. He is not telling St. Timothy to pass out Bibles and let them discover the truth on their own.

2 Tim 2:2
King James Version (KJV)
2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

The Jerusalem council in Acts was recorded so that we would know what the apostles, with God’s guidance, decided.

So that we could see that Jesus Christ had established an authoritative Church. See also Matt 18:17.

I too feel frustrated with the seeming lack of guidance in all the denominations. But the solution is not to turn the control over to other men,

Who is wiser, you or God? God says that we must submit to the men of His Church:
Hebrews 13:17
King James Version (KJV)
17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Whom should I believe? You or Scripture?

but to study and pray and seek to understand God’s word as we are told in II Tm 2:15, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

This is true. But it doesn’t say, “go out and study all alone”. St. Paul, who was taught by Christ, Himself, came back to the Church to ascertain that he was not running in vain:

Galatians 2:2
And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.

While there is a lot of confusion out there, there are also some churches who are simply churches that belong to Jesus,

Not everyone who claims to belong to Jesus, actually belongs to Jesus.

Matt 7:21
Matthew 7:21
King James Version (KJV)
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

worshiping him according to the NT pattern,

The NT pattern of worship is displayed only in Sacramental Churches (Catholic, Orthodox and high Anglicanism):
1 Corinthians 11:26
For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.

studying to show themselves God’s workmen.

That is a refference to RCIA. The Rite of Christian Initiation of adults.

The temple veil was torn when Jesus gave Himself on the cross, we no longer need a priest to stand between us and God.

As someone astutely remarked before me, “why then do you have Pastors?”

There is one sacrifice which is still being offered to the Father. The once for all sacrifice of Jesus Christ:
Malachi 1:11
For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.

Praise God, I can enter the Holy of Holies!

Only those who keep the Commandments of God and partake of the Holy Eucharist, can enter the Holy of Holies:
Revelation 22:13-15
King James Version (KJV)
13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. 14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

Sincerely,

De Maria