Where in the Bible is the doctrine of Apostolic Succession?

Question

Or did the Pope come up with it on his own?

Answer 1

The closest thing to it, I think, is in the first chapter of Acts where they chose somebody to take the place of Judas. But if the "12 apostles" were to have successors, there should still be 12 apostles in the church today. Not even the Catholic church makes that claim, though. The idea that Peter should be unique by having a successor isn't found anywhere in the Bible. But Catholics don't base their doctrine solely on the Bible. They also base their beliefs on Tradition they believe has been faithfully handed down from the beginning of the church.

Answer 2

The Roman Catholic Church teaches that the pope is the supreme head of the church on earth, that the Apostle Peter was the first pope, and that all popes are direct successors of Peter.

At the Council of Jerusalem Peter participated, but the Apostle James not Peter presided and pronounced the Council’s decision: “And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, ‘Men, brethren, hear me.... For which cause I judge...’” (Ac. 15:13, 19). Peter calls himself an elder and not a pope: “Now I have something to tell your elders: I am an elder myself” (1 Pet. 5:1 JB). The other apostles did not recognize Peter as their chief; in fact, they sent him to preach in Samaria (not the other way around - see Ac. 8:14).

Paul did not believe Peter was chief; in fact:

(a) Paul mentioned Peter more than once but he never mentioned him with any special title of honor, such as vicar or pope, or gave any indication that he held him above any of the other apostles.

(b) Paul taught that those who attached themselves to Peter (or to any other apostle or person) as a distinct group were guilty of schism, because Christ is the head (1 Cor. 1:12-13; 3:22).

(c) Paul did not mention the papacy when referring to the officers of the church (1 Cor. 12:28, Eph. 4:11).

(d) Paul as an apostle claimed authority over the Roman church itself (Rom. 1:5-6; 16:17).

(e) Paul was “behind the very chiefest apostle in nothing” (2 Cor. 12:11-12).

(f) Paul expressly denied that Peter was the pope and further maintained that whatever Peter was to the Jews, he, Paul, was to the Gentiles. This certainly is incompatible with any idea of a pope in Paul’s day (Gal. 2:7,8).

(g) Paul rebuked Peter without any mention of Peter’s supremacy (Gal. 2:11).

If Peter was chief, it was the duty of Paul and of the apostles to recognize him as such, respect him as chief and teach in their writings that he was the chief; but neither the gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, the epistles nor the Revelation ever mention it.

It can be demonstrated that; that Peter did not have a unique authority over the other apostles; that the apostolic office ceased when the apostles died and therefore their unique authority and abilities do not continue throughout history, then the supernatural mystical claims made by the Catholic Church for the pope and bishops is overthrown. They are mere men who must look to the Bible alone for divine truth just like everyone else.

Yes, it's Catholic Church that came up with the doctrine of Apostolic Succession.

Answer 3

Jesus promised that the church would remain until the end of time. People die, so a way of passing along the power of the office would be a practical necessity.

Jesus gave the church the power to bind and loose on earth and in heaven. That certainly provides the necessary authority.

The apostles first decided how their office would be passed along, when they needed to replace Judas. It has been done pretty much the same wey ever since.

You can read about it begining in Acts 1:15.

And yes ... Peter ... the first Pope ... did preside.

Answer 4

the true apostolic declaration is where Jesus said to Peter - On this rock I will build my church. Peter is greek for rock.

The catholics have used that as "proof" that the apostolic succession has come down from peter to the present day.

However there is no proof that Peter was ever actually the Pope. The story is that he was crucified upside down on a cross. I'm sure popes are not supposed to be crucified.

Answer 5

The belief that Peter was the chief Apostle comes from Matthew 16:19 where the Lord promises Peter that whatever he binds (seals) on earth would be bound (sealed) in heaven. This is why Peter is depicted as carrying keys in Catholic artwork.

When Judas died, the remaining eleven Apostles filled the vacancy with Matthias (Acts 1:15-26). We read of other Apostles in the New Testament (James, Paul, Barnabas, etc), which would indicate that there were always supposed to be 12 Apostles.

Answer 6

2 Chr 19:11 High priest is over you in everthing of the Lord's

Mal 2:7 seek instruction from priest, he is God's messenger

Eph 2:20 Church built upon the foundations of Apostles and Prophets.

Eph 4:11 God gave some as Apostles, others as prophets

1 Cor 12:28-29 God designated in Church: apostles...etc.

Act 1:20 let another take his office

Acts 1;25-26 Matthais takes Judas' Apostolic ministry

1 Tim 3;1, 8, 5:17 qualifications of bishops, priests, and deacons.

Acts 14:23 they appointed presbyters in each church

Tit 1:5 appoint presbyters in every town, as I directed.

Answer 7

I think the Wikipedia reference is a good one and deserves to be read completely with scriptural references. For the above commenter to say that Baptists just follow Jesus and to forget the apostles, implies that others don't follow Christ, which of course isnt' true. All Christian religions follow Christ, it's just a matter of how. The argument in favor of apostolic succession is very strong.

Answer 8

Obviously for Christians, it is not in the Bible, this occurred after the New Testament was written.

The Pope and the Catholic church are not the only ones who claim apostolic succession ... take a look at wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostolic_Succession it explains all the ones who claim it.

I'm Baptist, I make no such claim lol, we just follow Jesus, never mind His apostles.

Answer 9

Apostolic Succession is not in the Bible translations used by protestant churches. I am not certain of this, but I think the Roman Catholic Church includes some extra books that are not recognized by other denominations. These extra books have the doctrine.

There is a spot in the Gospel accounts where Jesus calls Peter the rock upon which he would build his church. It's a bit of a stretch to take that and extrapolate to the papacy.

Answer 10

There is no doctrine of "apostolic succession" anywhere in the Bible. There's also no "pope" in the Bible.