Contradictions arise as soon as men start teaching that Christ did not come to save us, but merely to make us savable.
it is one lord, one faith, and one baptism (eph4: 4-6) contradictions came when christians personally interpreted the bible.
There are no priests under the New Covenant. That is another Catholic concoction without any biblical basis. With regard to bishops and deacons, they are not hierarchically "above" their brethren. They are called to be servants rather than masters.
maybe, in early christianity, there was no concrete definitions of the duties of bishops, priests, and deacons. but, as christianity continued their duties became distinct/clearer. the writings of the early christians give us a bit more detail. deacons were subject to the priests and the bishop and priests were subject to the bishop. here are few examples...
Ignatius of Antioch
Now, therefore, it has been my privilege to see you in the person of your God-inspired bishop, Damas; and in the persons of your worthy presbyters, Bassus and Apollonius; and my fellow-servant, the deacon, Zotion. What a delight is his company! For he is subject to the bishop as to the grace of God, and to the presbytery as to the law of Jesus Christ (Letter to the Magnesians 2 [A.D. 110]).
Hippolytus
When a deacon is to be ordained, he is chosen after the fashion of those things said above, the bishop alone in like manner imposing his hands upon him as we have prescribed. In the ordaining of a deacon, this is the reason why the bishop alone is to impose his hands upon him: he is not ordained to the priesthood, but to serve the bishop and to fulfill the bishop’s command. He has no part in the council of the clergy but is to attend to his own duties and is to acquaint the bishop with such matters as are needful. . . . On a presbyter, however, let the presbyters impose their hands because of the common and like Spirit of the clergy. Even so, the presbyter has only the power to receive [the Spirit], and not the power to give [the Spirit]. That is why a presbyter does not ordain the clergy; for at the ordaining of a presbyter, he but seals while the bishop ordains (The Apostolic Tradition 9 [A.D. 215]).
Council of Nicaea I
It has come to the knowledge of the holy and great synod that, in some districts and cities, the deacons administer the Eucharist to the presbyters [i.e., priests], whereas neither canon nor custom permits that they who have no right to offer [the Eucharistic sacrifice] should give the Body of Christ to them that do offer [it]. And this also has been made known, that certain deacons now touch the Eucharist even before the bishops. Let all such practices be utterly done away, and let the deacons remain within their own bounds, knowing that they are the ministers of the bishop and the inferiors of the presbyters. Let them receive the Eucharist according to their order, after the presbyters, and let either the bishop or the presbyter administer to them (Canon 18 [A.D. 325]).
"In a general sense"? "Special guidance"? The Spirit guides every believer into the Truth, which is Christ. Period.
And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying: Know the Lord: for all shall know me from the least of them even to the greatest, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. (Jer. 31:34, DRB)
yes, we are all guided but it does not mean we cannot err since we are fallible. the guidance of the holy spirit jesus promised was to his church so she will not err when teaching on matters of faith and morals. the verse in jeremias you mentioned is all about the moral law that god wrote in the hearts of all men.
There is no evidence whatsoever in the Scriptures that Peter was a "pope". He was one of the "pillars" (Gal. 2:9), but there is no evidence of him exercising leadership or establishing doctrines. As said, there is no contradiction among those who believe that Christ is truly our Savior. And those who do not believe that are no Christians at all.
peter is the rock, peter is given the keys of heaven, peter is asked to feed/tend the sheeps, peter faith will not fail and will strenghten others, peter was entrusted with the task of serving the others.... what more proof do you like?
Paul is talking about all kinds of works, not only works mandated by the Law. Moreover, the Law demanded love for God and our neighbor, which covers every good work. But at the end of the day, our works do not save us or contribute to our salvation. Those who believe that have been separated from Christ (Gal. 5:4).
yes, all good works whether in the old or new testament.
we are save by the grace of god and we respond to this free gift by our faith and good works.
We do not need teaching authority based on "apostolic succession" to recognize Christ in the Old Testament. We only need to be Christians. But yes, not everyone should become a preacher. That has nothing to do with "lineage", however.
so, how do you understand...
rom10: 15 And how can there be preachers, unless preachers are sent on their errand?...