Start with the whole picture
Many Christian debates begin with isolated doctrines. A better starting point is ecclesiology: What did Jesus intend the Church to be? Was it only an invisible collection of believers, or also a visible body with recognized leaders, sacraments, discipline, and continuity?
Three questions to test
1. Did Christ establish a visible teaching Church?
Look at Matthew 16:18–19, Matthew 18:15–18, Luke 10:16, Acts 15, and 1 Timothy 3:15. The question is not whether Scripture is authoritative. It is whether Scripture itself points to a Church with real authority.
2. Did apostolic Christianity continue after the apostles died?
The New Testament already shows leaders appointing other leaders. Early Christian writings then show bishops, presbyters, deacons, baptismal regeneration, Eucharistic realism, and concern for visible communion.
3. Does the historical Church resemble modern restorationism—or Catholicism?
This is where history becomes difficult to ignore. The closer one gets to the apostolic age, the more concrete the Church becomes: sacramental, hierarchical, liturgical, and intensely concerned with unity.