Jesus and Institutional Continuity:

What Jesus DIDN'T Say:

• "Abolish the priesthood"

• "Eliminate religious authority"

• "Remove institutional structure"

• "Every man his own interpreter"

What Jesus DID Say:

• Matthew 5:17 - "I have not come to abolish the Law and the Prophets but to fulfill them"

• Matthew 16:18 - "I will build my church" (not "eliminate organization")

• Matthew 28:19-20 - "Go therefore and make disciples... teaching them to observe all that I have commanded"

The Catholic Argument:

Structural Continuity:

• Priesthood → Apostles and successors

• Temple worship → Mass/Eucharist

• Mosaic authority → Papal/Episcopal authority

• Oral tradition → Sacred Tradition

• Covenant community → Church

Transformation, Not Elimination:

• Same functions in new covenant form

• Expanded scope (universal vs. ethnic)

• Enhanced grace (sacramental vs. ceremonial)

• Fulfillment of Old Testament types

Biblical Support for Institutional Continuity:

Jesus Establishes Structure:

• Chooses 12 apostles (replacing 12 tribes)

• Gives them authority to bind and loose (Matthew 18:18)

• Establishes hierarchy ("Feed my sheep" to Peter)

• Commands baptism and Eucharist (institutional sacraments)

Post-Resurrection Organization:

• Apostles replace Judas (Acts 1:15-26)

• Ordain deacons (Acts 6:1-6)

• Appoint elders/bishops (Acts 14:23, Titus 1:5)

• Council of Jerusalem makes binding decisions (Acts 15)

The Logic:

If God established detailed organizational structures in Israel (priesthood, temple, authority systems), why would He abandon organization entirely in the New Covenant?

Catholic Position: Jesus perfected and universalized the covenant structure rather than eliminating it. The Church is organic development, not radical discontinuity.

Protestant Challenge: This reasoning suggests that institutional Christianity (Catholic model) is more biblically consistent than individualistic Christianity (Protestant model).