John 20:21-23
Jesus said to them again, Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, even so i send you. And when he said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained”
Yes, Christ gave authority to his disciples but scripture says nothing about that being passed down to their "successors". If it does and I missed it, please give me that scripture.