The confession’s view of apostolic succession is different, in that we see it as human made, and not divinely. Its a good thing, but a human tradition.
Hmm, I see a Scriptural (i.e. divinely inspired) pattern:
God the Father (the superior authority) is the source of this mission and authority. He sends Jesus Christ “…these very works which I am doing, bear me witness that the Father has sent me.” (John 5:36)
Jesus, in turn, passes it on – along with “all authority” to act “in my name” – to the Apostles (“as the Father has sent me, * so I send you,” “go and make disciples”)
The Apostles (who are the only ones in Scripture who are “entrusted” with the care of the Gospel message – see Gal. 2:7, 2 Cor. 5:19, 1 Tim. 1:11, 1 Thess. 2:4, 1 Tim. 6:20, 2 Tim. 1:14 – and who are also the only ones in Scripture who refer to the Gospel message as their own personal possession – see Rom. 2:16, Rom. 16:25, 2 Tim. 2:8, 1 Thess. 1:5, 2 Thess. 2:13-14) pass the mission and authority on to men like St. Timothy and St. Titus (“with all authority,” Tit 2:15).
The second apostolic generation is expected to entrust the mission to the next generation, ad infinitum – “…and what you second generation] have heard from me [first gen.] before many witnesses entrust to faithful men [third gen.] who will be able to teach others [fourth gen.] also.” (2 Tim. 2:2)
There can be no other reason why St. Paul would leave his two spiritual “sons” (Sts. Titus and Timothy) explicit instructions about the qualifications for overseers, elders, bishops, etc. (see 1 Tim 3:1-7, Tit. 1:5-9), than that he expects them to confer apostolic authority on new men who meet those requirements.
Speaking of sons… When God created Adam, He was fathering a son in His own image and likeness. Note that God, in the act of fathering his first human son, breathes on the Man, at which point the Man receives his living spirit. (Gen. 1:27, 2:7)
Compare this to Jesus and the Apostles: “Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” (John 20:21-22)
In the context of conferring His authority on the Apostles, commissioning them to go in His name to build and govern His Church, Jesus does the very same thing His Father did to the First Adam: He breathes upon them, gives them the Spirit, and “fathers” them, spiritually speaking.
This is why the Apostles then turn around and “father” new sons (bishops, etc., with apostolic authority) – because this is what Jesus did to them. The Apostles didn’t take it upon themselves, of their own initiative, to start shepherding God’s flock; they were called to their office by a superior authority.
This is why I don’t believe that a congregation’s vote can suffice, Scripturally speaking, to appoint a man as pastor, since the congregation (of inferior authority) cannot confer superior authority upon a man.*
