Question:
Bible is a word of GOD and it can be used for correcting our mistakes, to know what are the things that we are going to do, and other matters (2 Tim 3:16). The Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit (1 Pet 1:20-21).
The question is that if the Bible is a word of GOD that needs to be followed, why is it that the Catholic Church have this 1983 CODE OF CANON LAW even though the Bible is already enough to be used as an instruction of faith to us Christians?
Well, its true that the Bible is a word of GOD (2 Tim 3:16, 1 Pet 1:20-21) and there is no question about that. Bible contains about the truth and real teachings of GOD.
The purpose of the 1983 CODE OF CANON LAW is to be able to specified the circumstances of the concerns regarding the faith, morals, and disciplinary actions in the church that needs to be imposed, but has the connection with the truths being stated in the Bible. I say this because there are statements in the Bible that does not directly mentioned the process to be done.
Example for this case is that in the church, St. Paul mentioned “to remove the evil person from your group”
(1 Cor 5:12-13). Now, here in this verse, St. Paul does not give an explanation on how to have proper procedures on having an investigation by the church authorities before to declare a person if he/she is excommunicated or not.
That’s the reason why there is what we called the 1983 CODE OF CANON LAW. The Canon Law enumerates the procedures regarding the concerns, which these concerns depends on the different circumstances and happenings being involved. It is the codified body of general laws governing the church.
In connection with what St. Paul mentioned in 1 Cor 5:12-13, by the virtue of the authority of the church, the 1983 CODE OF CANON LAW states that those who committed apostasy, heresy, schism, and other violations will be penalized depending on the degree of sin committed or can be excommunicated (if committed ex-communicable acts) as stated in CANON 1364-1369.
That is what I mean to point it out that the Bible and the CODE OF CANON LAW can be used together and has no contradictions at all.
Having this 1983 CODE OF CANON LAW is approved and in accordance with the Bible since Jesus gave an authority to the Church Magisterium of what to permit and prohibit (Mat 18:18) and part of it was the establishing of this CODE OF CANON LAW as part of the authority given by Christ to his church.
The CODE OF CANON LAW teaches things that are good and that desire praise ( Phil 4:8 ) and has in connection with the discipline acts in the church (1 Cor 5 and 6).
Simply saying that the church was not mistaken in establishing this CODE OF CANON LAW, since the church seeks the good welfare for the church and the church is guided by the Holy Spirit (John 14:16, John 16:12-13, Mat 28:19-20, 1 Tim 3:15).