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To: dan1123; thefrankbaum
I think it's important to remember that in Scripture, all of the instances of "laying on of hands" are not necessarily apostolic succession, however, there are clear instances where the laying on of hands are apostolic succession.

For example, the incidents in Acts 8:17 and Acts 19:6 are examples of the Sacrament of Confirmation, a Sacrament still celebrated today as it was back then, to whit: By a Priest, Bishop (or higher) laying his hands on a "disciple" (or believer), to seal them with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.

In Acts 13 however, we read how the Holy Spirit asked that "Barnabas and Saul be separated for the work I have for them". This "separation" can't be Confirmation, as that was already accomplished when Ananias layed his hands on Saul in Acts 9. Indeed, this "separation" was to do specific work the Holy Spirit had for them, work that obviously needed another Sacrament, the Sacrament of Ordination, which also involves the laying on of hands. This "separation" is accomplished in verse 3 where hands were lain upon them. Note, it wasn't until after this that Saul's name changed to Paul in Scripture, thus signifying the important event that had occurred in verse 3.

Further reading: Apostolic Succession (specifically point II) and Confirmation

525 posted on 03/26/2008 11:01:02 AM PDT by FourtySeven (47)
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To: FourtySeven; dan1123

Just as an aside, now that I am back and playing catch-up on this thread, it was Acts 13:1-3 which I had in mind in my original post. Thanks for helping me out FourtySeven, and dan1123, thanks again for this conversation.


595 posted on 03/26/2008 5:52:46 PM PDT by thefrankbaum
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