“21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. 23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, 25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. 26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. “
Excellent!!!
Now you know the pattern revealed in Scripture.
Any Apostolic succession must involve two things:
1. “which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.”
Rules out any man today.
2. Pick two that meet the criteria. “And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.”
3. Pray! “Andd they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen”
4. Do this to replace Judas! “That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.”
3. Cast lots - “And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias;”
Judas was officially replace. It will never happen again. Nor will there ever be a man that accompanied the Apostles from the beginning of John’s baptism through the resurrection.
And beyond that, there is no Apostolic succession. The foundation is complete.
Peter had the authority to appoint another apostle. He had the authority to appoint successors.
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.