"APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION"
INTRODUCTION
1. In Mt 16:18 Jesus promised to build His church...
a. A church built on a solid foundation
b. A church that would never be destroyed
2. Where is His church today...?
a. There are many churches claiming to be "the one true church"
b. Is it possible to know which church is the "true church"?
[Many people believe that the answer is to be found in...]
I. THE DOCTRINE OF APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION
A. THE DOCTRINE DEFINED...
1. Apostolic succession is the line of bishops stretching back to
the apostles. - Catholic Answers, Apostolic Succession (San
Diego: Catholic Answers, 2001)
2. All over the world, all Catholic bishops can have their lineage
of predecessors traced back to the time of the apostles,
something that is impossible in Protestant denominations (most
of which do not even claim to have bishops). - ibid.
3. The Church Fathers, who were links in that chain of succession,
regularly appealed to apostolic succession as a test for
whether Catholics or heretics had correct doctrine. - ibid.
-- Such is the view as defined by Roman Catholic sources
B. THE DOCTRINE DELINEATED...
1. The Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox,
Nestorian and Anglican Churches hold that apostolic succession
is maintained through the ordination of bishops in unbroken
personal succession back to the apostles but do not necessarily
interpret this 'succession' identically. - Wikipedia
2. Roman Catholics recognize the validity of the apostolic
successions of the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox
churches (such recognition is not reciprocated by the Eastern
Orthodox...) - ibid.
3. The Roman Catholic church believes that the Anglican Church's
ordinations are invalid because of changes made to the rite of
ordination under Edward VI, thus denying that Anglicans
participate in the apostolic succession. - ibid.
4. The Armenian Apostolic Church, which is one of the Oriental
Orthodox churches, recognizes Roman Catholic episcopal
consecrations without qualification (and that recognition is
reciprocated). - ibid.
5. Some Protestant churches, especially Anglicans (including those
known in the USA as Episcopalians), and also Moravians and some
Lutherans, do have Apostolic Succession (also known as the
"historic episcopate"). - ibid.
6. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) has a
similar, but unique position.
a. The LDS claims that apostolic succession was broken during
the Great Apostasy, or falling away from the teachings of
Jesus Christ, and later restored in America. - ibid.
b. The LDS Church maintains that God the Father and His son,
Jesus Christ, appeared to Joseph Smith, Jr. near Palmyra,
New York in 1820 and called Joseph as a prophet to restore
Christ's church and correct doctrines and practices to the
earth. - ibid.
-- Thus the view is held with some variation by different churches
C. THE DOCTRINE DEFENDED...
1. Based on Scripture
a. Mt 16:18 - the assumption is made that apostolic succession
is necessary for Jesus' promise concerning the church to be
fulfilled
b. Ac 20:17,28 - from this passage some assume authority to
govern the church universal
c. 2Ti 2:2 - this passage is offered as proof of apostolic
succession
2. Based on tradition
a. The Church Fathers, who were links in that chain of
succession, regularly appealed to apostolic succession as a
test for whether Catholics or heretics had correct doctrine.
- Catholic Answers
b. Those who argued for the doctrine apostolic succession
include:
1) Iraneus (A.D. 189)
2) Tertullian (A.D. 200)
3) Cyprian of Carthage (A.D. 253)
4) Jerome (A.D. 396)
5) Augustine (A.D. 397)
-- See http://www.catholic.com/library/Apostolic_Succession.asp
for quotes
[The doctrine of apostolic succession certainly has it advocates. But
it is a doctrine with problems upon close examination...]
II. THE PROBLEM WITH APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION
A. THE DOCTRINE DEVALUED...
1. Based on Scripture
a. Mt 16:18 - if the church universal is the mystical body of
Christ, it's continuation is not dependent upon a physical
succession of church leaders; it requires only the Head
(Christ) and members (Christians)
b. Ac 20:17,28 - this passage only authorizes the authority of
elders (bishops) over a local congregation; no authority is
given over the church universal
c. 2Ti 2:2 - a succession of teachers was the goal; nothing in
this passage supports an unbreakable succession of leaders
whose authority was to be unquestioned
d. Ac 12:1-2 - when the apostles James was beheaded, no
successor was appointed to replace him
2. Based on history
a. The appeal to apostolic succession did not appear before
A.D. 170-200 - Elwell Evangelical Dictionary
b. All early succession lists were compiled late in the second
century - ibid.
c. It was developed as a means to counter Gnostic and other
heresies
d. It became a convenient way to assert validity and authority,
taking precedent over appealing to the Word of God
-- Today, different churches use their "succession lists" to prove
their claim to be the true church; which one are we to believe?
B. THE DOCTRINE DESTRUCTED...
1. An apostasy was foretold by the apostles - 1Ti 4:1-3; 2Th 2:
1-3; 2Pe 2:1-3
2. Even some appointed by the apostles would fall away - Ac 20:
29-30
3. Those who taught differently from the apostles were to be
rejected - cf. Ga 1:6-9
4. Those who first claimed apostolic succession were already
teaching things different from what the apostles' taught
a. E.g., they taught a distinction between bishops and elders
(contra Paul and Peter)
b. Those who first claimed apostolic succession were heretics
themselves!
5. Those who claim apostolic succession today teach many things in
addition and contrary to the teachings of Christ and His
inspired apostles
a. The concept of apostolic succession therefore did not
prevent apostasy
b. Claiming a historical connection does not prove
faithfulness; apostates in the line of succession would
render such claims untrustworthy
-- Claims of apostolic succession were first made by early
apostates; the doctrine of those claiming apostolic succession
today is far removed from apostolic teaching
[Yes, churches claiming apostolic succession today differ quite a bit
from the church as revealed in the New Testament. If apostolic
succession does not prevent apostasy, what will...?]
III. THE ANSWER TO APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION
A. THE INDESTRUCTIBLE WORD OF GOD...
1. The Word of God is like seed
a. It is the seed of the kingdom - Lk 8:11; cf. Mt 13:19
b. It has the power to produce fruit in the hearts of those who
receive it - Mt 13:23
2. The Word of God is an incorruptible seed
a. An incorruptible seed by which we can be born again - 1 Pe
1:22-23a; Jm 1:18
b. It lives and abides forever; it endures forever - 1Pe 2:
23b-25a
c. It is contained in the gospel of Christ - 1Pe 1:25b
3. The Word of God is sufficient for salvation and godliness
a. Able to save our souls - Jm 1:21
b. Profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction in
righteousness - 2Ti 3:16
c. Making one complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work
- 2Ti 3:17
d. Providing all things pertaining to life and godliness - 2 Pe
1:3
4. The Word of God is the antidote to apostasy
a. The Faith (i.e., the Word of God) has been revealed once for
all - Jude 3
b. Paul directed elders to the Word of God, not some doctrine
of apostolic succession, as the protection against apostasy
- cf. Ac 20:32
-- We need to appreciate the value of the Word of God to save and
secure His people from the dangers of apostasy!
B. THE SPIRITUAL NATURE OF THE CHURCH...
1. Many have an incorrect view of the universal church (i.e., the
kingdom) - Mt 16:18-19
a. That the church is a physical institution, with a
hierarchical organization
b. That the organization contains several levels of authority
above the local church
c. That the church cannot exist without a physical continuation
of the hierarchy
d. That membership requires approval of the hierarchy
2. Yet contrast that with what is revealed by Christ and His
apostles
a. The church (or kingdom) is a spiritual institution
1) The kingdom is within you - Lk 17:20-21
2) The kingdom is not of this world - Jn 18:36
3) The kingdom is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy
Spirit - Ro 14:17
b. The organization of the church universal is spiritual
1) Christ is the cornerstone, His apostles and prophets are
the foundation, and all other Christians are 'living
stones' - cf. Ep 2:19-22; 1Pe 2:5
2) Christ is the Head, Christians are members of His body
- 1Co 12:27; Col 1:18
3) As long as Christ is the Head, His church will exist!
- cf. He 12:22-24,28
c. Earthly organization was limited to the local church
1) A local church when scripturally organized had bishops
and deacons - Php 1:1
2) These bishops were also called "elders" or "pastors",
whose role was to oversee and feed the local congregation
- Ac 14:23; 20:17,28; 1Pe 5:1-2
3) The only authority over the universal church on earth
were the apostles, and they were not replaced when they
died - e.g., James in Ac 12:2
d. Membership in the church universal is determined by the
Lord
1) He is the one who adds people to His body, when they are
saved - Ac 2:41,47
2) He knows those who are His - 2Ti 2:19
3) He only has the right to blot out our names from the book
of Life - Re 3:5
-- We need to understand the spiritual nature of the church, to
see why there is no need for 'apostolic succession' to preserve
the Lord's church today!
CONCLUSION
1. The doctrine of apostolic succession...
a. Is without true scriptural basis
b. Was devised by false teachers, in an attempt to counter other
false teachers
c. Has been used by many different churches, each asserting their own
validity and authority
d. Yet has not prevented wholesale apostasy from God and His Word
2. The Lord's church mentioned in Mt 16:18...
a. Is built on the foundation of Christ and His apostles - Ep 2:19-22
b. Grows whenever people respond to the gospel as proclaimed by the
apostles - Ac 2:38-41,47
c. Is manifested wherever people continue in apostolic doctrine, not
traditions of men - Ac 2:42
d. Is preserved by the power of God and the all-sufficient, once for
all revealed, Word of God - Ac 20:32; 2Ti 3:16-17; Jude 3
By remaining faithful to the incorruptible seed, the Word of God, and by
His grace, we will receive that "inheritance among all those who are
sanctified" (Ac 20:32)...
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