APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION CONTINUED

I think history proves my belief. I won’t even touch St. Peter and papal succession, because that is a subset of the greater concept and is the subject for another discussion.

First, I think Paul explains it well in Titus, where he commands adherence to apostolic succession:

Clearly Paul is telling Titus to continue to do what Paul has done: ordain others in the same way Paul ordained Titus. The mission from Christ was given to the apostles, and Paul in turn gave that mission to be continued to Titus, who in turn needs to give that mission to new bishops. Not just everyone, not every Christian, not every believer: just to the elders/bishops that Titus ordains. The reason for this is clear in verse 9: to hold the faithful word “as has been taught,” which is Tradition, so that sound doctrine can be given. That authority to give sound doctrine as a final say was in the bishops alone, not every believer, and that authority is traced back to the apostles. We believe, as Catholics, that this has continued all the way to our priests today, by ordination by the successors to the authority given to the apostles.

There are other scriptures more to that point, but this post is already incredibly long (I’m typing it in Microsoft Word and it is already at 4 pages!). So, I’ll be brief in some historical examples.

First, St. Ignatius of Antioch is a wonderful example of many Catholic doctrines (his writings are what really converted me to Catholicism). Ignatius of Antioch was born in Syria circa 50 a.d. and died between 98 a.d. and 117 a.d., depending on which historian you talk to. Ignatius was the direct disciple of St. John and was Bishop of Antioch until he was martyred.

Now, I’m going to quote a lot from his letters, and I encourage you to read and not casually glance over them.

Here, Ignatius gives insight into the time. Not only does he show that the Church is visible, so as people could see that one was from the true Church, but he also warns of schism from the true Church, and to me Protestants are very schismatic, even amongst themselves.

In the introduction to that same letter, he speaks clearly of the doctrine of apostolic succession and its validity.

This post was last modified: Mon Nov 21, 2005 07:32 PM by Agent_Smith.