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Skylar24
Guest
I’ve been asked to show “proof” that God’s intention is Apostolic Succession. Can some one point me in the right direction?
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GloriousOrder
Guest
Since this request for proof is undoubtedly coming from a beloved Protestant brother, it would do well to look into the Holy Scriptures. Two very great and shining examples immediately jump to mind: in the book of Numbers, and in the book of Acts.
In the book of Numbers 27:12-23, Moses is near to death. After having sorted through marriage and inheritance laws, our Lord commands Moses to appoint a successor. The patriarch is reminded, by God, that he has no right to see the promised land because of his iniquities in the desert and his lack of fortitude in doing God’s will, at times. The Lord gives Moses chastisement for these things, but also has mercy on Israel because of His glorious plan for humanity. The great Immortal One tells Moses to go up to a high place before all the people and elders of Israel, and to lay his hands upon Joshua, saying “all that the Lord tells you”. When Moses did these things, Joshua became the “next Moses” and received all the power, gifts, and abilities from God that Moses had possessed.
Later, in the New Testament, our Lord Jesus Christ made reference to this metaphorical seat of Moses that passes down all the way from Moses, through Joshua, to the Pharisees of our Lord’s day. He said “do what they say, not what they do; for they sit in the seat of Moses”, as authority. This is taken from Numbers 27!
In the book of Acts of the Apostles 1:15-26, we hear of the days before Pentecost, where the infant Church was hiding and making its plans. St. Peter stands amongst them in the Upper Room and says that, as the Lord had commanded, there must be twelve Apostles among the disciples and with them. He specifically places the Apostles above the rest, though in honour and power given by God and not as “better men”. The first Pope very strongly stresses the need for exactly twelve Apostles to be had. Since Judas was gone, and out of sorrow committed suicide, Matthias was chosen by lots. Matthias filled a special place that had been lost, and entered into a gap that had been created by the death of Judas.
This second scriptural passage illustrates the need for specific Apostles. It grew over time, but was never under 12.
In the book of Numbers 27:12-23, Moses is near to death. After having sorted through marriage and inheritance laws, our Lord commands Moses to appoint a successor. The patriarch is reminded, by God, that he has no right to see the promised land because of his iniquities in the desert and his lack of fortitude in doing God’s will, at times. The Lord gives Moses chastisement for these things, but also has mercy on Israel because of His glorious plan for humanity. The great Immortal One tells Moses to go up to a high place before all the people and elders of Israel, and to lay his hands upon Joshua, saying “all that the Lord tells you”. When Moses did these things, Joshua became the “next Moses” and received all the power, gifts, and abilities from God that Moses had possessed.
Later, in the New Testament, our Lord Jesus Christ made reference to this metaphorical seat of Moses that passes down all the way from Moses, through Joshua, to the Pharisees of our Lord’s day. He said “do what they say, not what they do; for they sit in the seat of Moses”, as authority. This is taken from Numbers 27!
In the book of Acts of the Apostles 1:15-26, we hear of the days before Pentecost, where the infant Church was hiding and making its plans. St. Peter stands amongst them in the Upper Room and says that, as the Lord had commanded, there must be twelve Apostles among the disciples and with them. He specifically places the Apostles above the rest, though in honour and power given by God and not as “better men”. The first Pope very strongly stresses the need for exactly twelve Apostles to be had. Since Judas was gone, and out of sorrow committed suicide, Matthias was chosen by lots. Matthias filled a special place that had been lost, and entered into a gap that had been created by the death of Judas.
This second scriptural passage illustrates the need for specific Apostles. It grew over time, but was never under 12.
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Barbkw
Guest
How can any world wide religious system keep united in doctrine and keep faithful to Sacred Scripture and to the traditions set down by the Apostles (into each generation) unless there is a governing body that holds to those truths and determines who may / and who may not serve?
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Spencerian
Guest
To add to your first answer, point your friend to Matthew 5:17. Christ says:
**Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.
**
Ask your friend, “Was there a priesthood in the Old Covenant?” The answer would obviously be, “Yes.”
You can then ask, “How was this old priesthood established?” If the person knows sufficient Scripture, he’ll note Numbers 27:12-23. If not, you can do so.
Then give him one to ponder:
Christ says that he was not to remove the principles of the Old Covenant but to fulfill them. Thus, the concept of priesthood, complete with a sacrifice, remains. He establishes a new priesthood with Himself as the head and *annoints *and *appoints *the Apostles (not all disciples) to continue the work on Earth (John 20:19-23). In keeping with the old sacrifices of lambs, Christ gives his new priests a new lamb: Himself, a Sacrifice sufficient to actually forgive sins (Matthew 26:26-28) in the appearance of bread and wine.
The Apostles and those that they, in turn, *anoint *and *appoint *as priests, recognize their authority and their limits throughout the book of Acts. In Acts 6, St. Stephen and others just didn’t get up and do the work of the Lord; they had to receive Holy Orders as deacons through the laying of hands by the Apostles (the first bishops) to do so (Acts 6:1-8). This laying of hands was done in the Old Covenant as well to pass on priestly authority–and only from those who were appointed by Moses.
Just as the appointed priests from Moses carried down priestly succession to the era of the Pharisees, so did Christ institute a new priesthood, which also carries down to the present day. Otherwise, Christ was lying in saying that he would not abolish the Old Covenant’s concepts of priests and a material sacrifice.
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pablope
Guest
Let us look at Paul’s example:
Galatians 1:18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days.
Galatians 2:2 I went in response to a revelation and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race in vain.
Paul had a direct revelation from Christ. Yet, from the two passages above, he goes to visit Cephas/Peter and submits himself to Peter. Gal 2: 2 states his purpose…to present his gospel/message to make sure it is in line with the Apostles and what they were handed down from Christ.
Now look at Acts 13:
1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
Look at verse 3 and see what the Antioch Church elders do…“they placed their hands on them and sent them off.”
Peter founded the Church at Antioch, so it has Apostolic succession.
Before Paul and Barnabas went on their first missionary journey, he submits himself to Church authority and are ordained by laying of hands. Then they are sent out to their mission. Paul, by the laying of hands, first becomes an Apostle, he gains apostolic authority, thereby, the Churches he founds have apostolic succession.
Blessings…
Hope this helps.
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