At my ordination, in addition to my own bishop and some of my fellow elders, one of his friends, a Jesuit priest, participated.
Do you believe the laying on of hands creates a special bond/lineage. I know the myth of appostolic succession depends on it. Just wondering what my brothers in the Lutheran Church believe.
I believe that lineage can be traced on a human side (laying on of hands) and on a spiritual side (identification with the correct doctrine and practices of our Lord.)
If I had to choose one, it would be spiritual lineage. There is some small measure added validity if there is also a human lineage to trace.