In the second half of the first century, following Peter the apostle, Linus the Bishop of Rome established the doctrine of Apostolic Succession whereby the authority granted by Jesus to his apostles at the Pentacost to teach in his name was believed to be passed on from the original apostles to their disciples, in turn.
Now, given that the only Christian denominations that can truly trace their history back to the apostolic period are the Roman Catholics and the Eastern Orthodox, by what authority do evangelical ministers claim the right to interpret Christian scripture?
Furthermore, if these denominations are truly lacking in authority to proclaim scripture, why should they not be considered apostates, heretics and false prophets?
And if they are thus, arent they (and their followers) going to hell?
2007-06-21
16:27:44
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16 answers
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asked by
Anonymous