[Mom MD]

First of all, you cannot prove apostolic succession for the leaders of your church. There is no record of unbroken lines from 33 AD on. Second I have read the requirements to be a pastor in Timothy, nowhere is apostolic succession listed. Third, if apostolic succession is so important and if your denomination actually had it how do you explain the mess in your church today? If that’s what apostolic succession looks like who wants it.

[MHGinTN]

So many Catholics do not realize Christianity is a relationship with The God. They have been taught that it is through the sacramental trail administered by their religious org, or the intercession of Mary the Mother of Jesus that eternal life can be obtained. It is why Jesus said to some who pleaded their works 'Depart from me, I never knew you'. If we have no personal relationship with Him, His righteousness has not been imputed to us.

Jesus paid the sin debt of the whole world. Only those who let Him be their Lord and Savior will receive the Grace of that payment on their behalf.

[af_vet_1981]

Post 412 reads as a tacit admission there is no apostolic succession in the German 16th Century attempt to re-form, re-create, or re-construct Christianity without apostolic authority.

Since then there have been a myriad of attempts to lather, rinse, and repeat that example; a couple of the more recent being the La Luz Del Mundo and Iglesia ni Cristo religious organizations.

The Latter Day Saints, with many very nice families, are the older American version that tried to re-create/re-construct Christianity. Its founder(s) (who sprang from Protestantism), rejected the creeds, falling so deep into heresy that it cannot be considered Christianity.

[af_vet_1981]

Third, if apostolic succession is so important and if your denomination actually had it how do you explain the mess in your church today?

Even under the direct supervision and teaching of the Master there was a failure rate of 8.3% at the highest level oft hose that Jesus had chosen.

1. Start with the premise that Jesus built His Church on Peter, the other Apostles and Prophets, with Himself as the chief cornerstone.
2. Build on that by taking Him seriously when He said the gates of hell would not prevail against this Church.
3. No Once Saved Always Saved
4. There is a big problem with Porneia (fornication) in all churches and faith communities. Porneia is a grave sin.
5. There are also the deadly sins of heresies and divisions.

• For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
  
  ...
  
  
• And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;
• I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
• Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
• And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
• Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
• And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
• But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
• But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
• And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
• And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
• And I will give him the morning star.
• He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

First Corinthians, Catholic chapter eleven, Protestant verse nineteen,
Revelation, Catholic chapter two, Protestant verses eighteen to twenty nine,
as authorized, but not authored, by King James