The True Church is Necessarily Apostolic (Wilmers, 1891)
Jan 17, 2021 14:22:27 GMT -5
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Post by Pacelli on Jan 17, 2021 14:22:27 GMT -5
The following,"The True Church is Necessarily Apostolic" was taken from The Handbook of Christian Religion, Wilmers, Wilhelm, 1891, pp.112-113.
Link to "The True Church is Necessarily Apostolic": HERE
The entire book is available free and online: HERE
Some interesting quotes from the above:
(all italics in quotes are from original, all boldfacing added for particular emphasis)
Link to "The True Church is Necessarily Apostolic": HERE
The entire book is available free and online: HERE
Some interesting quotes from the above:
(all italics in quotes are from original, all boldfacing added for particular emphasis)
It (the Church) must be apostolic in its doctrine and sacraments, both of which it has received from the apostles; in its constitution, since the hierarchy introduced by apostle's at Christ's command must continue forever; in the succession of its rulers, i.e., the pastors who govern the Church in every age must be successors of the apostles, who received their mission and authority directly from Christ. (p. 112)
...If it is once proved that the pastors of a Church are true successors of the apostles, and thus invested with that power conferred on the apostles, we have an evidence, that this is the true Church of Christ, and that consequently, it's doctrine and sacraments are apostolic and true. (p. 112)
To become a successor of the apostles it is necessary to be received into the body of the apostles - into that body to which Christ gave power to rule His Church. Thus even at the times of the apostles their successors were appointed. It is by the addition of new members, who take the place of the deceased, that the power peculiar to a moral body is transmitted. Thus the power of the apostles conferred on St. Peter at their head must be transmitted to the bishops with the pope at their head. But, since a two-fold power - orders and jurisdiction - has been given to the Church one cannot become successor of the apostles, in the full sense of the word, not being duly ordained and invested with jurisdiction. (p. 112)
The Church alone is the true one in which is to be found the power conferred by Christ. Now, this power is to be found only where the body of the apostles exists; for to it alone this power was committed. The true Church must, therefore, be apostolic in this sense, that it's pastors form one moral body, extending from the apostles to the present times; in other words, that they are true successors of the apostles. (p. 113)