Law From Jerusalem

One strike against Catholic Canon is that it was defined in the Councils of Nicea and Trent, and various other councils scattered here and there. Whereas the law of the Lord would come from Jerusalem. This also invalidates Islamic law.

Isa 2:2  And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.

Isa 2:3  And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

The word of Christ would come from Jerusalem, not a foreign land.

Luk 24:47  And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Salvation in Christ's name was fulfilled in Jerusalem before and without the aid of any Catholic councils. The first sermon preached by Peter was in Jerusalem and not Rome.

See Acts 2 and 3.

Then because of persecution the name of Christ had spread into Samaria and as far North as Damascus.

Act 8:12  But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

then as far as Antioch and the Churches of Asia by Paul and others.

Act 11:19  Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.

Then the first major question was brought before the church in Acts 15.

All of this before any Catholic council convened.

Keep in mind the Council of Nicea met to settle whether Christ was God, his role with the Father, and his place in the developing Trinity doctrine. Yet the Name of Christ was declared and preached three hundred years earlier. The church already recognized Jesus as the Father's only begotten Son. His name had been preached for three hundred years. The council of Nicea was meant to set a standard of belief during the Donatist controversy, so that a basic belief during and in baptism would be established.

Luk 24:47  And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Nicea was not the formulation of the Church's understanding, it was already established much sooner. Nor were the laws of Nicea necessary, for repentance was already possible in Christ's name. Nicea would only re-establish Christ's relationship with the father, but was not the original definition.

Acts 2 and 3 outlining the need to repent to Christ was sufficient for salvation.

. Act 3:12 And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?

Act 3:13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go

Act 3:14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;

Act 3:15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.

Act 3:16 And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

Act 3:17 And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.

Act 3:18 But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.

Act 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

Act 3:20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:

3:21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

Act 3:22 For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you

Act 3:23 And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.

It is true that we should heed those who rule over us, but keep in mind that such rules have boundaries.

Bishops/Elders were not ordained to be law makers, but followers and examples. They were to be stewards and not owners of God's vineyard.

Tit 1:7  For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

Tit 1:9  Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

The Bishops did not have legislative powers.

Jas 4:12  There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

Not self-willed and not a striker would also cover the formulation of law for self-guided punishment.

The enforcement of self-willed penance upon others.