📜 What is Apostolic Succession?
Apostolic Succession is the unbroken line of ordained bishops from the Apostles themselves, passed on through the laying on of hands (see Acts 1:20–26, 2 Tim 2:2). This succession ensures:
-
Valid Sacraments (especially the Eucharist and Holy Orders)
-
Doctrinal faithfulness
-
Ecclesial authority
🔍 Which Churches Have Valid Apostolic Succession?
✅ 1. Roman Catholic Church
Founded by Christ through Peter in 33 A.D., the Catholic Church maintains direct, historical, and sacramental succession through every pope and bishop.
✅ 2. Eastern Orthodox Churches
Though separated from Rome since the Great Schism (1054 A.D.), they preserved valid succession and sacraments.
✅ 3. Oriental Orthodox Churches
Like the Coptic, Armenian, and Ethiopian Orthodox, these Churches also maintained valid succession after splitting from the Council of Chalcedon (451 A.D.).
✅ 4. Some Old Catholic Churches
Those who broke from Rome but preserved valid episcopal ordinations (e.g., Utrecht Union), though their theology may now be questionable.
✅ 5. Some Anglican/Episcopalian lines (disputed)
While Anglicans claim succession, the Catholic Church considers many of their ordinations invalid due to changes in form and intention (Pope Leo XIII, Apostolicae Curae, 1896).
❌ Who Does Not Have Apostolic Succession?
❌ All Protestant denominations that arose after the Reformation (1517 onward), including:
-
Lutherans
-
Baptists
-
Evangelicals
-
Pentecostals
-
Methodists
-
Non-denominational churches
These groups rejected the sacrament of Holy Orders, and many don't even believe in a priesthood, thus they broke away from the Apostolic chain.
👉 Even if they “preach the Gospel,” they do not have the authority passed down from the Apostles.
📖 What Does the Bible Say?
Acts 1:20–26 — The Apostles chose Matthias to replace Judas, showing that the apostolic office was meant to be continued.
2 Timothy 2:2 — “And what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”
This handing down of teaching with authority is the core of Apostolic Succession.
🧬 Why It Matters
Without Apostolic Succession:
-
You cannot trace your Church to the Apostles
-
Your Eucharist and Sacraments are not valid
-
You do not have the authority to teach infallibly
-
Your Church is founded by a man, not by Christ Himself
✅ Conclusion: Only a Few Have True Apostolic Succession
Out of the 45,000+ denominations, only the Catholic Church (along with Eastern/Oriental Orthodox) has a clear, verifiable, unbroken line of bishops going back to the Apostles.
🕊️ Jesus founded One Church. That Church is still visible today—and it has a name: the Catholic Church.
IF YOU ARE A DEVOTED CATHOLIC AND HAPPY TO DEFEND YOUR CATHOLIC FAITH, YOUR SUPPORT TO CONTINUE OUR MISSION TO DEFEND THE CATHOLIC FAITH, REALLY MATTERS AND WILL ALWAYS BE VALUED AND REMEMBERED!
(Even though this blog comes with Free Domain and Free Hosting plans, there are still costs involve to sustain it, like the reliable internet connection that comes with premium plan, so your support for this endeavor means a lot to me. Thank you very much. God Bless).READ ALSO:
- How many protestant churches are in the World today and when did it started?;
- 🕊️ Out of the 45,000+ Christian denominations in the world today, who has the real Apostolic Succession?
- How to Identify Fake Sects and Recognize the True Church Founded by Jesus Christ?
🕊️ How to Distinguish Fake Churches from the True Church Established by Jesus Christ
“One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism”: The Biblical and Historical Truth About the Unity of the Church
✝️ Who Were the Apostles and Early Christians Who Proclaimed Jesus Christ as God? — Scriptural, Historical, and Doctrinal Proofs Against Arianism and INC
No comments:
Post a Comment