[af_vet_1981]

Catholicism presumes that the priest in the rcc can trace thier "authority" back to Peter. How does Paul play into this when he was called straight by Christ? He denies any authority received from Peter. Is it not possible that Christ still calls men today to be ministers irrespective having to trace a link back to Peter?

1. All the Apostles were called by the Messiah.
2. All the Apostles called by the Messiah were in unity with each other.
3. The Apostle Paul was called "out of season," was "the least of all the apostles," and was given "the right hand of fellowship" by the other Apostles in Jerusalem.
4. When there was a problem the Apostles met, prayed, and made a binding decision for the churchs throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria and the uttermost parts of the earth, one holy catholic apostolic church.
5. The Apostles appointed bishops by the laying on of hands.
6. The bishops appointed by the Apostles appointed bishops by the laying on of hands, and it continues so that there is an unbroken chain, in actual history, from the time of the Apostles until now.
7. It is not possible that the Messiah, who called the one holy catholic apostolic church to unity is calling it to disunity. That is the error of men.
8. There are Catholic/Orthodox churches that have an unbroken chain all the way back to the Apostles (Apostolic Succession).

[ealgeone]

You have not answered the question. Is it possible for God to call a man today as He did Paul? Paul did not need any approval or blessing from the disciples.

[ealgeone]

For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 1 Cor 15:9. NASB

You kinda took Paul out of context to suggest he was not as "worthy" as to somehow diminish him.

Context is your friend.