But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part.Do you see the criteria here? It's very clear. The organizational pedigree was dismissed as nothing. Just as Paul dismissed it in Corinth. Yes, bloodlines mattered in the levitical priesthood, and in the coming of Messiah as the seed of David. But the bond of our unity now is our common faith in Jesus, and the Spirit of God living in us, working out His truth in us, feeding us from the richness of His word, every day. And though that unity is beyond the reach of human sight, it is more real, and stronger, than any gathering of mortals, and will outlast them all, just as Jesus said.
(Mark 9:39-40)
Well stated! Thank you.
Many people falsely assume that “apostolic succession” somehow automatically presumes infallibility on those who self identify as part of this group lineage. But what the Apostles passed down was the truth of the Christian faith - and the Holy Spirit ensured these truths would be forever preserved in the written word of God. They did NOT pass down their Apostolic office and its authority - only Jesus Christ ordained them for the establishment of the church - instead they taught their disciples who, in turn, passed down the truth to faithful men who would do the same also. That is how we know the truth two thousand years later. It is GOD’S doing.
The chain of custody always matters. There is an unbroken chain of custody from Sinai until now. It is visible here in that the Apostle Paul ordained Timothy as a bishop and authorized Bishop Timothy to appoint other bishops to perpetuate the unbroken chain. There are three generations evident in the verse, and rinse, lather, and repeat, as they say, continues the unbroken chain until this day. The one holy catholic apostolic church has had apostolic succession unto this day. Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
Second Timothy, Catholic chapter two, in its entirety,
as authorized, but not authored by, King James
bold emphasis mine
Even Jesus denies the principle. You recall the "not one of us" disciple who went about driving out demons in Jesus' name, and how the disciples complained to Jesus that chap was not an authorized disciple, not the right organizational, human, carnal pedigree? And I am sure you remember Jesus' response.
But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part. (Mark 9:39-40) Do you see the criteria here? It's very clear.
Yes, do you ?
They cannot be against us. Those who hate the Catholic Church are "against us." Do you ever rebuke them soundly so that they can conform to the principle you brought up (which is a very valid principle, BTW) ?
For thus saith the LORD; David shall never want a man to sit upon the throne of the house of Israel; Neither shall the priests the Levites want a man before me to offer burnt offerings, and to kindle meat offerings, and to do sacrifice continually. And the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD; If ye can break my covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, and that there should not be day and night in their season; Then may also my covenant be broken with David my servant, that he should not have a son to reign upon his throne; and with the Levites the priests, my ministers. As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured: so will I multiply the seed of David my servant, and the Levites that minister unto me. Moreover the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying, Considerest thou not what this people have spoken, saying, The two families which the LORD hath chosen, he hath even cast them off? thus they have despised my people, that they should be no more a nation before them. Thus saith the LORD; If my covenant be not with day and night, and if I have not appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth; Then will I cast away the seed of Jacob, and David my servant, so that I will not take any of his seed to be rulers over the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: for I will cause their captivity to return, and have mercy on them.