Exploring Catholicism: Apostolic Succession, Protestants, and Tipping the Scales

This post. 

I did not think that this post would be created. Ever. 

I am a Protestant Christian, and I wholly believe in the Christian God - Yet I have serious reservations about the Catholic Church. 

Sure - Catholics are well meaning Christians...But don't they err in many areas? Talking to deceased saints...Purgatory...praying to Mary...having a Pope and a church hierarchy...??? 

As a Protestant, these issues are major. Every single one seems to be an enormous blockade in your relationship with God. After all - The Bible doesn't talk about these, right?

Truth be told, I think that in some regards the Protestant crowd is too hard on Catholics. Maybe we have not given them a fair chance to defend their faith. That's where this series of posts is going to cover, giving a more objective view of the Church, and where able, show the scriptural foundations for some of the controversial practices of the Catholic Church. If the Catholic Church is the one true Church, and we have erred...well, that's not good.

Apostolic Succession

What is Apostolic Succession?

Apostolic Succession is the practice of transferring leadership and authority through the ages from the Apostles to present clergy in the Catholic Church. 

First things first though: 

The Catholic Church, Tradition, and The Bible

The Catholic Church is a Church that holds both the Bible and tradition to both be very important and sacred. This sacred tradition is held to be just as authoritative  as the Bible itself. This is important in fully comprehending and understanding Catholic views

Biblical support for this can be found in 2 Thessalonians 2:15 and in 2 Timothy 2:2:

2 Thessalonians 2:15, NASB (Emphasis mine)

"So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold on to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us."

2 Timothy 2:2, NASB

"The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful people who will be able to teach others also." 

2 Timothy 2:2 can seem somewhat cryptic, but the point that is made by this passage is that things where handed down through the Church in a verbal format. The bible didn't always exist, and wasn't even completely compiled yet when the NT texts were created. 

Apostolic Succession and the Protestant Church

1.) Controversy

There is some controversy over this topic amongst the Protestant Church. The argument against Apostolic Succession is simply that the New Testament does not give a clear and concise direction of having a Church hierarchy. Because this clear statement is not made in the New Testament, (Some) Protestants say that we should not follow this practice.  

2.) The Catholic Support 

The Catholic Church offers some strong support for their position - Starting in Acts:

Acts 1:20, NASB

"For it is written in the book of Psalms: ‘MAY HIS RESIDENCE BE MADE DESOLATE, AND MAY THERE BE NONE LIVING IN IT’; and, ‘MAY ANOTHER TAKE HIS OFFICE.’

This passage indicates something significant - The authority of the Apostles being transferred upon another individual - which many translations and texts use the term 'Bishopric' ('Bishop')  to describe the office of Judas which was transferred to Mattias. This is HUGE, and a massive blow to the comparatively weak position held by some Protestants - of which I was one of before this. In a passage, it is demonstrated that a hierarchy is to exist in the Church, and that this hierarchy is to include bishops. 

Furthermore, it is important to note that authority is being transferred here - that leadership in Apostolic Succession is given the authority to forgive/absolve sins on behalf of Christ Himself. See John 20:23, which the context is Christ charging the Apostles with this:

John 20:23, NASB

If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained

This does not limit God to forgive when we ask of Him directly, but nonetheless this is a significant concept to recognize. 

3.) Could it be true?

I think so. I think that the evidence is strongly supporting a Church hierarchy, and shows that this hierarchy should be traced back to the Apostles. This is a significant finding, and a strong component in showing that either the Catholic or the Orthodox Church is the original as founded by Christ Himself. 

Furthermore, it seems that in some areas the Catholic and Orthodox churches provide more insight and substance to the Bible - these churches pay attention to concepts that maybe not expressly expanded on in the Bible, similar to how the Trinity is not mentioned in the Bible, but is fully described in the Bible.

So...Why do this? Why look at the Catholic Church at all? Your PROTESTANT!!

I believe that it is our duty as Christians to be in relentless pursuit of the truth. Christ came and died for us - the least we can do is take our faith seriously, and try out best to follow Him, His commands, and seek to be part of His church. We can never repay Him for the free gift of salvation, but out of love we can follow Him the best that we are able.

This is going to be part of a mini-series - please let me know what you think in the comments below!

Interested in Christianity? The Gospel in a Nutshell can be a good place to start! And Church of course... : )