During His life and ministry on earth, Jesus Christ chose twelve men as His closest disciples and Apostles. After His ascension, they were charged with the foundational missionary work of spreading the gospel through the known world and providing the content for the New Testament. What happened when they died? Was there a plan for apostolic succession so their authority would continue?
What is Apostolic Succession?
Apostolic succession is the belief that bishops embody apostolic authority through an uninterrupted and unbroken lineage from the original Apostles. Bishops are deemed to retain special authority transmitted through each previous bishop, stemming back to Peter, whom some traditions call the first pope, and the other Apostles were the first bishops.
The Christian traditions who hold to apostolic succession include Catholicism, Orthodox, and some Anglicans. According to these denominations, only their bishops have the right to oversee their congregation and those of higher authority control other bishops within their diocese (areas of oversight), ordain and consecrate clergy, and confirm church members.
Within Catholicism, apostolic succession gives popes (the chief bishops) their authority, which they believe began with Peter when Christ named him the “rock” (Matthew 16:16).
For Orthodox Christians, apostolic succession involves each local Orthodox bishop without an overseeing pope. The Orthodox faith sees Apostles as a universal witness to Jesus and His resurrection. Bishops are seen as direct overseers within a local community (pastoral and as ministers of the sacraments like communion). According to Brittanica.com, they believe the succession is more of faith than function because the bishop is “the guardian of their faith.” The bishops have the “pastoral and sacramental responsibility for a local community, or church.”
An Anglican information website, “The Cloister,” says some Anglicans adhere to apostolic succession by the laying on of hands and others view apostolic succession as a continuation of Christ’s teachings through the Apostles. Some Anglican traditions hold to apostolic succession as established in an authoritative overseer, but the majority fall within Catholicism and Orthodoxy. We, therefore, will focus on Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant beliefs.
Is Apostolic Succession Supported by Scripture?
The foundational passage for apostolic succession is Matthew 16:13-20. The narrative revolves around Jesus and His disciples, most notably Peter. They were in Caesarea Philippi, an area rife with pagan worship sites (very near a literal place called “the Gates of Hell”), and Jesus asked His disciples who they said He was. Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus then proclaimed, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” This passage is the one cited by Catholicism as naming Peter as the first bishop (pope) of Christ’s church. The passage is also regarded as that which exalts Peter as the head of the Apostles and the other eleven as the first bishops.
The doctrine of apostolic succession progressed from that point, and adherents believe its lack would breed disorder and doctrinal mistakes. They also believe that apostolic succession is vital for the transmission of the original Apostles’ teaching.
Key passages used to support their doctrine include:
- Acts 1:20-26 The Apostles cast lots to fill Judas Iscariot’s replacement. The casting of lots was considered a method of determining God’s will. Also, the Greek word used for “office” is used elsewhere as referring to a bishopric (diocese). Catholicism regards the use of this word as support for apostolic succession (bishops are believed to be successors to the Apostles).
- 2 Timothy 2:2 is taken as a command to appoint successors where it tells Timothy to entrust their teaching to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
- 1 Timothy 4:14 is understood to mean Paul laid hands on Timothy so he would receive the office of bishop.
- Hebrews 6:1-3 is regarded as encouragement to press on and grow in their roles as bishops
- Ephesians 2:20; Revelation 21:14 are considered further passages about apostles (and therefore, bishops) being foundational to the church.
Each of the above passages serves a purpose unique to the church. Their true meaning, however, differs from those who interpret them to support apostolic succession:
- Acts 1:20-26 is a narrative describing the fulfillment of Psalm 69:25. Apostles were not replaced from that time forward.
- 2 Timothy 2:2 is Paul’s encouragement to Timothy to disciple others utilizing Paul’s teaching.
- 1 Timothy 4:14: Paul tells Timothy to not neglect his calling as a disciple.
- Hebrews 6:1-3: The writer is telling the believers to press on toward mature faith.
- Ephesians 2:20 explains how the Apostles were uniquely placed at the foundation of the church to establish the testimony of Christ, not continue it. The foundation of a building is only laid once (just as the cornerstone will only be placed once).
- Revelation 21:14 is symbolic of the twelve Apostles’ testimony concerning Jesus being foundational for the church.
In essence, the doctrine of apostolic succession is not biblical. In addition to the above list, here’s why:
- The passages cited in support of apostolic succession are misinterpreted and taken out of context.
- Nowhere in Scripture does Jesus tell His Apostles more would come after them or that they were to anoint or appoint others as Apostles.
- Peter was never given supremacy over the other Apostles. In fact, the Apostle Paul rebuked him for hypocritical behavior in Galatians 2:11-14. Also, Peter is not recorded as spending excess time in Rome as the church’s leader.
- Scripture doesn’t record the Apostles passing their “mantles” on to successors.
Where Did the Idea of Apostolic Succession Originate?
The doctrine of apostolic succession originated with the early church fathers, especially Clement of Rome (called the third successor to Peter) and Irenaeus. Irenaeus (of Lyons, France) is said to have articulated the doctrine of apostolic succession in the second century to counter Gnostic teaching. This teaching taught that Christ or the Apostles spread secret teachings or that there were secret Apostles.
Irenaeus replied that the identification and teaching of Christ’s original Apostles was well known, as was those who succeeded them. He argued that anyone teaching something against apostolic doctrine did not qualify as a true successor to Christ or to His Apostles. In addition, Irenaeus stated a church’s doctrine is tested against the church fathers, who were part of the historic succession of Apostles.
After that time, the doctrine of apostolic succession became a doctrine of Catholicism.
Within the Orthodox church, another level of overseer is found in an archbishop who preserves doctrine. Partaking of communion with other bishops is also prescribed. Orthodox churches do not recognize that apostolic succession exists outside their denomination.
The doctrine of apostolic succession hopes to preserve unity and doctrine within a church. It does that, but to what end? The doctrine became synchronized with tradition, and relegates Scripture to an equal and often lesser role.
How Do Different Christian Traditions View Apostolic Succession?
The Catholic Perspective: We have already learned that Apostolic succession is part and parcel to the structure and tradition of Catholicism. While they refer to several Scripture passages to back their claim of apostolic succession (see above), they provide more “proof” from early church fathers. Therefore, tradition rises to claim authority when that authority rightfully belongs to God’s Word as transferred by the Apostles and prophets (The New Testament and the Old).
Catholicism views the apostolic successors (popes) as authoritative and infallible, equal to and even above the commands of Scripture.
The Orthodox Perspective: Apostolic succession is a central belief of their faith and is indicated by the ministry of their bishops within their church. They believe it’s directly tied to Jesus’ Apostles through a continuous and unbroken line of ordained bishops. This, therefore, secures the faith and authenticity as passed from the Apostles through successive bishops.
The Protestant Perspective: Ligonier Ministries offers a Reformed view of apostolic succession, “For the Reformed tradition, it is succession of true doctrine that has primacy of place. Being able to trace a lineage of validly ordained persons, while not entirely insignificant, is secondary. In other words, you identify the church by its fidelity to Apostolic doctrine… But what is most important about making doctrine primary is that Scripture commends this view of Apostolic succession.” We follow and obey what Christ and His Apostles taught and secured in the completed Bible.
Protestants were named after the fifteenth century Reformation, which protested against the abuses of Catholicism. John Calvin, one of its most noteworthy founders (along with Martin Luther), developed the Five Solas of the Reformation, which most Protestants follow to this day:
- Sola Scriptura – Scripture alone is our only error-free, all sufficient final authority for all of life.
- Solus Christus – Christ alone secures our justification before God.
- Sola Fide – By faith alone we receive the redemption Christ secured for us.
- Sola gratia – Grace alone: We are saved by His grace alone.
- Soli Deo Gloria – only God receives the glory for our salvation.
We are saved by grace alone through faith alone by Christ alone. Because Jesus alone is our Great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14), we have no need for tradition or a human, fallible pope. Scripture also tells us we Christians are a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9.)
Is Apostolic Succession Necessary for Church Leadership?
The transference of the foundational teachings (doctrines) of the entire Bible is the succession on which we rely. As far as church leadership, we treasure the pastoral epistles for the wisdom Paul imbued in his spiritual children, Timothy and Titus (not that the rest of Scripture lacks leadership wisdom). Titus 1:5-9 gives Titus direction for choosing elders to oversee the churches that had been planted. 1 Timothy 3:1-7 speaks to the detailed qualifications of church leaders. Spiritual calling, gifting, and character are important when a man is considered for a leadership role within the church. All are based on how a man is led by Scripture and how he is held accountable by other, mature Christian men. Both passages reflect the non-negotiable biblical qualifications for church leaders. Both also see the roles of church leaders based on spiritual maturity and calling and not on succession of any kind.
Professor Gregg R. Allison (SBTS) states two important distinctions between Catholicism and Protestant belief, “The Roman Catholic view of church authority can be envisioned as a three-legged stool: Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium. One leg is Scripture, the inspired Word of God in written form. (Remember that the Catholic Old Testament, which contains the Apocrypha, is different from that of Protestants.) …The Protestant view of church authority centers on authoritative divine revelation, which is Scripture. The Protestant formal principle of sola Scriptura—Scripture alone—means that Scripture is the ultimate authority in the church, which contradicts the Catholic position of Scripture plus Tradition.”
How Should We Approach the Debate on Apostolic Succession?
A wonderful biblical quote would have us prioritize our biblical focus, “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.” We could substitute the word “grace” for “charity” here. Those of the Catholic and Orthodox are noble in their desire for unity and correct doctrine in the church. They are, however, going about it the wrong way.
What all Christians must do is prioritize biblical teaching and unity over denominational differences. As some have put it, “Keep the main thing the main thing.” The main thing is focus on Christ and His gospel.
Yes, church history is good to know, but it is not the basis on which our faith rests. From church history, we learn how differences have arisen, yet we always look first to Christ as Lord and to God’s Word for wisdom and for our firm foundation. The true and non-negotiable dividing line between those who adhere to apostolic succession and those who do not is the gospel. The ultimate issue shouldn’t be apostolic succession, but rather whether a church upholds the one true gospel—the gospel of Jesus Christ and His kingdom.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Catherine Leblanc
