[PetroniusMaximus]

***For us, it is the holy apostolic church continuing from the foundation to the present. For you guys, it's.. discontinuity.***

We believe in a continuity of moral likeness - i.e. those who have Christ's Spirit and adhere to his words are his true followers - none other.

Anyone who claims to know Him and doesn't live a life like Him is a liar no matter who has laid hands on him.

The Jews thought there lineage would secure for them the Kingdom. John told them that God was able to raise up from the stones descendants of Abraham - not that's discontinuity.

[D-fendr]

So, how then are members of the General Synod chosen?

[D-fendr]

You belong to an organized religion, with ordained ministers, approved doctrine and teachers. I'm leading you back to the authority question.

We believe in a continuity of moral likeness

Is this a requirement for bishops? Who determines if this criteria is met?

[D-fendr]

Anyone who claims to know Him and doesn't live a life like Him is a liar no matter who has laid hands on him.

Again the question is how this is determined and by whom. It, of course, involves much more than ordaination.

The idea of apostolic succession is that it involves a great deal more than knowledge, even knowledge of the scriptures. Apostolic succession means that it is discerned by the apostles, who discerned their successors and so on.

Of course protestants disagree, but their succession, such as it is, is also discerned by humans.

Humans discontinous with the original apostles of course.

:)