THE QUESTION OF APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION

By Dr. P. Bradley Carey
(c) 2002



What is Apostolic Succession? Apostolic Succession is the line of authority that has been passed down from the original Apostles, ordained by Christ Himself, to our modern day ministers and bishops. Apostolic Succession is that unbroken line by which a minister has received the right and authority to perform his various duties within the Church, the Body of Christ. Without this line of authority, how can a minister truly perform and fulfill all of his duties as described in the Holy Bible?

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition, tell us that:

APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION

in Christian theology, the doctrine asserting that the chosen successors of the apostles enjoyed through God's grace the same authority, power, and responsibility as was conferred upon the apostles by Christ. Therefore present-day bishops, as the successors of previous bishops, going back to the apostles, have this power by virtue of this unbroken chain...this link with the apostles is what guarantees for them their authority in matters of faith, morals, and the valid administration of sacraments. Essential to maintaining the apostolic succession is the right consecration of bishops.

Many churches today have either gotten away from listing their Apostolic Succession or have never had it to begin with. Many of the cults for example, such as the Mormon Church, the Seventh-day Adventists, and the Jehovah's Witness, to name a few, have a founder or founders who simply ordained themselves and started their own line of authority. This is completely contrary to the teachings of the Holy Bible and allows the doors to open for error and false doctrine and teachings to enter within. As we can clearly see by looking around us, many of the churches in today's world are having major problems from within. They need to repent and come back to the true teachings of Christ and those found in the Holy Bible.

An example of Apostolic Succession may be found at http://www.christinternational.org/apostolic_succession.htm (it will open in a new window)

If you have any questions concerning Apostolic Succession or would like additional information please let us know.