APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION

Lk 8:11 - The seed is the Word of God

1 Cor 1:23 – It is through the apostles words that we believe the gospel – 1 Cor 12:3

Acts 1:22-23 - No grounds for Apostolic Succession – Must be an “eyewitness” Acts 1:22, Paul was an apostle – 1 Cor 9:1.

Dan 2:44 Promises the Kingdom shall last forever

Isa 55:11 - My word will not come back void

Successors to the Apostles? There is NO such thing as a Successor to an Apostle. When it is proved that Peter was NOT a Pope, the whole structure of Catholicism FALLS, with the so-called "successors" of Peter Catholicism has no true foundation.

The doctrine of the supremacy of Peter, and that he had successors is CONTRADICTORY to the Lord's teaching and plan. There are NO apostles in the church today, nor can there be apostles in the sense of the apostle Peter. Although Judas was replaced as an apostle, the idea of succession doesn't enter the picture. The very purpose and work of an apostle would make it IMPOSSIBLE for them to have successors today.

Please notice. "In those days" after Jesus had ascended back to heaven Simon Peter stood up and addressed his fellow-disciples about the need of replacing Judas. Illustrating from the Psalms, he says, "Let another take his office." Then he gives the qualifications: "Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection." (Acts 1:15-22).

Thus, apostles had to be witnesses and were Christ's official eyewitnesses of his resurrection from the dead. Their unique mission as eyewitnesses had been stressed before his crucifixion (Jn 15:26,27). Then again in Acts 1:8 Jesus said they would be witnesses. Throughout the early pages of the book of Acts this is continually mentioned. Notice Acts 2:32; 4:33; 5:29-32; 10:39-42; 13:31. The testimony of the apostle Peter is seen again in Acts 10:39-42, when he said, "We [the apostles] are witnesses..." These special witnesses are represented in this capacity again in Hebrews 2:3-4.

It is very elementary to see that eyewitnesses can have no successors. When they die, they are gone. And there are no apostles, nor apostolic succession, in the church on earth today. These men have done their part in confirming the truth and getting the church started among men. Their writings, as well as that of other inspired men, constitute part of the New Testament Scriptures to guide us today.

All men will be judged in the last day by the things which the apostles and prophets bound upon us (Jn 12:48; Rom 2:16; Jas 2:12; Rev 20:12).

ALL THINGS which they bound are recorded in the NT. The NT constitutes "the faith once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3).

What the apostles and prophets bound on earth was bound in heaven. What the apostles loosed on earth was loosed in heaven. By whom has it been bound again? The only excuse Catholics have for PRETENDING to be successors to the apostles is that they want to bind upon earth what the apostles have loosed, or loose what the apostles have bound. There are NO successors to the apostles and prophets. The Catholic doctrine of "apostolic succession" is not taught in the Bible.

The apostles and prophets were God's chosen ambassadors to deliver "the faith" to mankind and their work has been COMPLETED. NO ONE today possesses their qualifications. NO ONE has their spiritual gifts and miraculous powers. By inspiration of the Holy Spirit they were guided into ALL TRUTH as Jesus had promised. When we read the things they wrote, WE CAN UNDERSTAND their knowledge in the mystery of Christ (Eph 3:3-4). ALL THINGS of the will of Christ are recorded in the WRITTEN NT of Christ (2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:3). It contains ALL that God has bound upon us and ALL by which we will be judged in the last day.

NO MAN on earth today has authority to forgive sins. The apostles DID NOT have the authority to arbitrarily say to penitent sinners, "I absolve you," but by the Holy Spirit they revealed to sinners how their sins were to be forgiven or retained. The apostles DID NOT instruct us to confess our sins to a priest. In the New Testament ALL Christians are priests (1 Pet. 2:5,9).

The Bible warns us of these men who make false claims, "For they are false prophets, deceitful workers, distinguishing themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself disguises himself as an angel of light. It is not great thing, then, if his ministers disguise themselves as ministers of justice." (2 Cor 11:13- 15).