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Legitimate succession was always a matter of concern in biblical religion. The book of Genesis is careful to give the lineage of the patriarchs, from the first man, Adam, to Noah (Gen. 5). The book of Exodus takes similar care as it sets down the priestly generations (Exod. 6). The Chronicles make clear that the monarchy was legitimately passed from father to son (1 Chron. 3). Indeed, the Old Testament histo­ries assure us that “all Israel was enrolled by genealogies” (1 Chron. 9:1). This article is from the Catholic Viewer’s Guide to AD: The Bible Continues (airs Sundays at...

Question: I was wondering how we as Protestants reject the doctrine of Apostolic Succession? Obviously, through church history, this doctrine seems to be strongly affirmed, but when the Reformation took place, this doctrine was not continued along with other doctrines. Why not? I guess I am wondering what are the biblical mandates supporting Apostolic Succession and what are the biblical mandates and logic that reject Apostolic Succession? Thanks for taking the time to answer my question. Answer: When you say "through church history, this doctrine [apostolic succession] seems to be strongly affirmed" you are correct because it certainly has been...

The answers come from individual ministers in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church expressing their own convictions and do not necessarily represent an "official" position of the Church, especially in areas where the Standards of the Church (the Scriptures and the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms) are silent. Question: I have a few questions for you about the "OPC." First, do you teach apostolic succession, and, if so, do you believe ministers outside of the OPC are not really ministers? Second, do you believe that the "gifts of the Holy Spirit" are for today, i.e., are healing, tongues, prophetic revelation,...

On Apostolic Succession "Greatest Guarantee of Perseverance in the Lord's Word" VATICAN CITY, MAY 10, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of Benedict XVI's address at today's general audience, which he dedicated to explain apostolic succession. * * * Dear Brothers and Sisters, In the last audiences we have meditated on the Tradition of the Church and we have seen that it is the permanent presence of the word and life of Jesus in his people. But to be present, the Church is in need of a person, a witness. In this way, reciprocity is born: On one hand, the...

Baptist church 'fake pope' sign attracting attention, criticism By JEANNINE F. HUNTER, hunter@knews.com April 13, 2005 NEWPORT, Tenn. - Two days after being posted, a church marquee message that questions the purpose of the papacy is still attracting attention in this small community. "What I am trying to do is to let people know there's only one way to heaven through Jesus Christ," said the Rev. Cline Franklin, pastor of Hilltop Baptist Church. "There's no need for help. God sent his son, Jesus Christ. We're all priests if we're saved. I don't need to go to anybody else to pray."...

STRONG HINTS that the path towards unity with Rome was not blocked emerged at a conference in St Albans last Saturday. In a speech (see right link) that was both open and nuanced, Cardinal Walter Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity at the Vatican, talked of new interpretations of some of the chief sticking-points: papal authority, eucharistic doctrine, apostolic succession, and the 1896 papal bull that declared that Anglican orders to be invalid. Cardinal Kasper shared a platform with the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Revd Elizabeth Welch, a former Moderator of the United...