Powers of the Apostles

[dean24us]

Hello! I was watching Animated New Testament on EWTN (great series, btw), and I question came to mind that I haven’t been able to satisfactorily resolve. According the various books in the NT, Jesus granted special powers to the twelve apostles – healing the sick, cleansing the lepers, raising the dead, and casting out devils. There are numerous times where the apostles exercised these powers, both during and after Jesus’ time on Earth, so it seems clear that Jesus intended the leaders of his budding Church to keep these powers even after His ascension into Heaven. My question is this: why don’t today’s bishops (i.e., the successors to the apostles) have the same powers? Were these powers intended only for the apostles directly chosen by Jesus, and if so, doesn’t this bring into question the validity of other powers given to the apostles that have been handed down to the clergy over the ages (e.g., the ability to absolve sins, etc)?

Best wishes,
Dean

 

[Ne_OrangeKnight]

doesn’t this bring into question the validity of other powers given to the apostles that have been handed down to the clergy over the ages (e.g., the ability to absolve sins, etc)?

Not at all. For “God indeed hath set some in the church; first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly doctors; after that miracles; then the graces of healing, helps, governments, kinds of tongues, interpretations of speeches. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all doctors? Are all workers of miracles? Have all the grace of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But be zealous for the better gifts.”

The power of raising the dead, for example, does not imply anything about the power to forgive sins, nor vice versa. Don’t worry about it.

Sam, the Neon Orange Knight.