Tradition and Apostolic Succession

[HerrZJA]

I’m writing a new blog post on the importance of Tradition (or, at least, exploring the idea of Tradition), and I understand that Catholic Tradition is predicated on Apostolic Succession.

Can anyone help me, therefore, find records on Apostolic Succession? Or is it another matter of faith, that there is a straight line from Pope Benedict XVI to Saint Peter, or is this a practical thing? Is there a document somewhere that validates the idea?

 

[Peter167]

I think the folks over in the apologetic sub forum would be all over this for you. I would suggest bringing it over there.

I don’t have anything off the top of my head that shows succession.

 

[Spirithound]

I’m writing a new blog post on the importance of Tradition (or, at least, exploring the idea of Tradition), and I understand that Catholic Tradition is predicated on Apostolic Succession.

Can anyone help me, therefore, find records on Apostolic Succession? Or is it another matter of faith, that there is a straight line from Pope Benedict XVI to Saint Peter, or is this a practical thing? Is there a document somewhere that validates the idea?

There need not be a direct line from B16 to St. Peter. His Holy Orders might descend from another Apostle.

Now, I’m not sure if I would say that our Tradition is predicated on Apostolic Succession, per se. However, the Magesterium, in the personages of the Pope and the bishops in communion with him, have the authority to interpret the Scriptures and give teachings drawing from the Sacred Tradition.

PS, yes, there are documents that support the ideas of Tradition and Apostolic Succession…you’ll find them contained in the Sacred Tradition!

PPS, on a more serious note, I believe St. Ignatius of Antioch wrote about this in one or more of his letters, although I must confess that I do not recall which one…

 

[Charlemagne_II]

Apostolic Succession begins formally with the commission of the apostles by Jesus to go forth and baptize all nations in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

The authority of the apostles is initially substantiated at the Council of Jerusalem as recorded in Acts 15 by Luke. Peter appear to be the dominant figure at the Council, though James and Paul figure prominently. Peter claims for himself the apostleship over all the gentiles (in other world, the whole world). When he renders his verdict on the controversial matter under consideration, the assembly fall silent, as if Peter has been given the last word in these matters. Then they go on to discuss other matters. The impression we get is that Peter exercises primacy, though others share in his role as apostles likewise anointed by Jesus.

The continuous lineage of the bishops of Rome, where Peter is believed to have been crucified, is generally regarded within the Church as the record of apostolic succession for the chief primate.

This brief article in the Catholic Encyclopedia helps to clarify further.

newadvent.org/cathen/01641a.htm

 

[PJM]

=HerrZJA;8001654]I’m writing a new blog post on the importance of Tradition (or, at least, exploring the idea of Tradition), and I understand that Catholic Tradition is predicated on Apostolic Succession.

Can anyone help me, therefore, find records on Apostolic Succession? Or is it another matter of faith, that there is a straight line from Pope Benedict XVI to Saint Peter, or is this a practical thing? Is there a document somewhere that validates the idea?

The Only site I can recommend list a COMPLETE and Consecutive list of Popes PROVING you’re theisis.

http:// occ.catholic.com/index.php?title=List_of_Popes
But I can sahre a bit of information with you.

You’re statement of Catholic Tradition being passed on through Apostolic Succession is true, but perhaps misunderstood?

It is factual because ONLY by continunity of Faith beliefs could and would the Church Grow through a single set of beliefs and common practices. Sustaining and growing Christ One Faith is made possible ONLY because of a consistant set of Teachings. 1. Christ mandate of Matt. 28:19-20 inorder to be fulfilled makes continunity and consistancy an ***essental and absolutely necessary element ***of spreading the Catholic faith; and **2. **Having Only the One Faith, [a precise and defined set of beliefs] Only One Church, and Only One God be taught consistantly and continually from the Time of Adam and Eve, through Noah, Abraham, Moses, the Judges, and prophets, David, and Solomon and through the present day . This SAME ONENESS is evident by more than 100 references to ONLY One Church [One Faith] in the NT alone.

Tradition is “Faith taught orally” and passed on orally. BASED on BOTH unwritten Teachings of Christ, and various books of the bible as they became available.

Matt.28: 19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”

**John.14: 26 “**But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you”. [The Foundation of TRADITION in a unifrom and consistant manner.]

The Church NOW operates With the Same Authority and Power Christ had on earth: John.20: 19 to 22 "On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. ***As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” ***[22] And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

***Jesus Gives to Peter and By Absolute Nenessity in-oder to accomplish the TASK he had given the Church; ALL of the Key’s to heaven. *** Meaning All of the Power and Authority PROTECTED BY GOD HIMSELF !

ALL salvation is from Christ BUT MUST and DOES Flow through His One Church; One Faith. Matt.16: 19 “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Phil.2: 2 “complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.”

**Eph. 4: 1-7 “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body [WHICH MEANS ONE CHURCH] and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one **faith, Meaning only One set of beliefs] one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift."

**Eph. 2: 18-22 **“ for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,SINGULAR !] built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord;" SINGULAR

John.10: 16 “And I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd”

So Tradition led to the Bible which too comes both through the CC and FROM the CC. The key understanding here is the WORD “ONE”. Because their is and can be ONLY One God; Only One Faith and Only One Church; Tradition has a key role in catholic faith Developement, conformity and Unity.

God Bless,
Pat

 

[GaryTaylor]

There’s a ton of information on Apostolic Succession you’ll be reading for a year. If you want a quick look through the years. “Heirs of the Fisherman by John Peter Pham” will give a basic preview. Then you can go deeper where you want.

Peace, Gary

 

[Godfollower]

I’m writing a new blog post on the importance of Tradition (or, at least, exploring the idea of Tradition), and I understand that Catholic Tradition is predicated on Apostolic Succession.

Can anyone help me, therefore, find records on Apostolic Succession? Or is it another matter of faith, that there is a straight line from Pope Benedict XVI to Saint Peter, or is this a practical thing? Is there a document somewhere that validates the idea?

Actually, the Bible establishes it:

In those days Peter rising up in the midst of the brethren, said: (now the number of persons together was about an hundred and twenty

Men, brethren, the scripture must needs be fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was the leader of them that apprehended Jesus: Who was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. And he indeed hath possessed a field of the reward of iniquity, and being hanged, burst asunder in the midst: and all his bowels gushed out. And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem: so that the same field was called in their tongue, Haceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. For it is written in the book of Psalms: Let their habitation become desolate, and let there be none to dwell therein. And his bishopric let another take.

Wherefore of these men who have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus came in and went out among us, Beginning from the baptism of John, until the day wherein he was taken up from us, one of these must be made a witness with us of his resurrection. And they appointed two, Joseph, called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And praying, they said: Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, To take the place of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas hath by transgression fallen, that he might go to his own place. And they gave them lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Acts 1:15-26.

Obviously, at first the offices were filled with eyewitnesses to the Lord. As time went on, however, they were filled with others who had not seen the Lord (e.g., Paul only saw Him after His Resurrection; Timothy and Titus only knew Him from Paul). Even the expansion of the Apostles beyond twelve is shown by Paul’s apostleship and the appointment of other bishops by him and others.

In short, the Apostolic Succession is testified to by Sacred Scripture. Sacred Tradition provides additional details (the names of specific bishops, for example), but the Bible can start you off fairly well.