However, if one's spiritual understanding is that the Holy Spirit moves according to His own will, then the only succession that matters is from God directly to a man.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. – John 1:12-13
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified together. – Romans 8:15-17
And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as [he did] unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? – Acts 11:15-17
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. - Romans 8:9
God's name is I AM.
ABSOLUTELY INDEED.
HOLY SPIRIT DID, HAS AND WILL PARTICIPATE IN IMPARTATIONS OF HIMSELF AND HIS GIFTS
DEPENDING . . .
HE’S NOT A VENDING MACHINE to some ritualized quarters.
Both the imparter and the impartee must be in the right spiritual ‘space’ as well as being led of Holy Spirit.
One can go through lots of RELIGIOUS MOTIONS . . . that God is not in, for one reason or a dozen reasons.
Another thing I’ve noticed is lacking is that there is no mention of the church in Rome in the book of Revelation.
If the ROMAN Catholic church was the one true church, you’d think that it would have been addressed by Jesus Himself, when He addressed the other churches Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.
Or that He would have given the instructions to the church at Rome concerning the other churches and how to deal with them and cc’ing them and instructing them to submit to Rome in matters of faith and doctrine instead of telling the churches to hear what the Spirit says to the CHURCHES (plural).
Peter is alleged to have been crucified at an earlier date than the Book of Revelation was alleged to have been written. If the church at Rome were the one true church, one would find it inconceivable that Jesus would have neglected to comment on it or to it, especially if it were already on its second pope.
Interesting thing about Paul’s letter to the Romans, is that that letter is one of the heavyweights for Protestant theology containing the most material that contradicts what the RCC claims is its true teaching from God.
Very curious.
Genealogy is important in regards to Christ's history. I recall usually skipping over the begats etc. until one day I realized how significant these are in the genealogy of our Lord...and that of Joseph and Mary as His earthly parents. The Lord surely reveals to us that which He determines in His time....and as we grow in Him. Learning and diving deeper into His genealogy was thereafter both interesting and enlightening. Even so I do not see the Apostolic succession...rather that it is as the Holy Spirit determines, just as you stated.......... I actually am convinced that Paul, not Matthias, was chosen by God to replace Judas. This also I looked at very carefully. But the important part is Paul was selected by the Lord Himself....and what a story that was and remains to this day!............ Even with all the differences among Protestants, catholics and other denominations....I do believe their are true believers among them all. The questions remain why when the scriptures are so clear do people hold so strongly to that which scripture does not support, and in fact opposes what the scriptures say?
No. Paul was talking about Jewish priest lines who claim genealogies like Cohens. The only Apostle who had a successor at the time was Judas and Paul never criticized that.
If one's spiritual understanding is that the Holy Spirit moves from one Christian to the next by the physical act of laying on of the hands, then he would surely be concerned about Apostolic succession. However, if one's spiritual understanding is that the Holy Spirit moves according to His own will
Apparently, it is the Holy Spirit's own will to move by the laying on of the hands:
1 Timothy 4:14: "Neglect not the gift that is in you, which was given you by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery."
Acts 19:6: "And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them"
Acts 8:11: "Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit."
Acts 13:2 "the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed"