[Mad Dawg]

THEN, the further interpretation must be made that these powers are transferable from person to person, at the will of the Church.

What do you make of the deal with Matthias? I think, under possible correction, we'd take that as precedent for the whole "passing on" thing.

[Forest Keeper]

FK: "THEN, the further interpretation must be made that these powers are transferable from person to person, at the will of the Church."

What do you make of the deal with Matthias? I think, under possible correction, we'd take that as precedent for the whole "passing on" thing.

Matthias was chosen by the casting of lots. I would hope that priests are chosen based on a little more than that. :) However, I did read that the Jews considered casting of lots as an appeal for God's guidance. But still, this does not appear to be a reliable method, especially without the indwelling Holy Spirit. :)

In any event, the replacement of Judas was much more than naming a new member of the clergy. For lack of a better way to say it, for "Jewish" purposes there was a special significance to there being not more and not less than 12 Apostles (see Luke 22:28-30, Rev. 21:10-14). Therefore, I wouldn't be able to make a comparison among choosing THE new Apostle, and Apostolic succession.