Apostolic succession is a valid source of spiritual authority

Apostolic succession is a valid source of spiritual authority
Subjects
Apostolic succession	Authority
Christianity	Theology
Linking arguments
The Assyrian Church of the East is the descendent of an unbroken line of succession originating in the Christian church founded by the apostles of Jesus Christ The Anglican Church is the descendent of an unbroken line of succession originating in the Christian church founded by the apostles of Jesus Christ The Brazilian Catholic Apostolic Church is the descendent of an unbroken line of succession originating in the Christian church founded by the apostles of Jesus Christ The Baptist church is the descendent of an unbroken line of succession originating in the Christian church founded by the apostles of Jesus Christ The Charismatic Episcopal Church is the descendent of an unbroken line of succession originating in the Christian church founded by the apostles of Jesus Christ The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria is the descendent of an unbroken line of succession originating in the Christian church founded by the apostles of Jesus Christ The Catharist community was the descendent of an unbroken line of succession originating in the Christian church founded by the apostles of Jesus Christ The Catholic Church is the descendent of an unbroken line of succession originating in the Christian church founded by the apostles of Jesus Christ The Eastern Orthodox Church is the descendent of an unbroken line of succession originating in the Christian church founded by the apostles of Jesus Christ The Episcopal Church is the descendent of an unbroken line of succession originating in the Christian church founded by the apostles of Jesus Christ The Greek Orthodox Church of Jerusalem is the descendent of an unbroken line of succession originating in the Christian church founded by the apostles of Jesus Christ The Gnostic Church is the descendent of an unbroken line of succession originating in the Christian church founded by the apostles of Jesus Christ The Greek Orthodox Church of Alexandria is the descendent of an unbroken line of succession originating in the Christian church founded by the apostles of Jesus Christ The Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch is the descendent of an unbroken line of succession originating in the Christian church founded by the apostles of Jesus Christ The LDS movement is the descendent of an unbroken line of succession originating in the Christian church founded by the apostles of Jesus Christ The Lutheran Church is the descendent of an unbroken line of succession originating in the Christian church founded by the apostles of Jesus Christ The Moravian Church is the descendent of an unbroken line of succession originating in the Christian church founded by the apostles of Jesus Christ Methodist churches are the descendent of an unbroken line of succession originating in the Christian church founded by the apostles of Jesus Christ The Old Catholic Church is the descendent of an unbroken line of succession originating in the Christian church founded by the apostles of Jesus Christ The Oriental Orthodox Church is the descendent of an unbroken line of succession originating in the Christian church founded by the apostles of Jesus Christ The Orthodox Church of Constantinople is the descendent of an unbroken line of succession originating in the Christian church founded by the apostles of Jesus Christ The Porvoo Communion of Churches is the descendent of an unbroken line of succession originating in the Christian church founded by the apostles of Jesus Christ The Syriac Orthodox Church is the descendent of an unbroken line of succession originating in the Christian church founded by the apostles of Jesus Christ The Universal Life Church is the descendent of an unbroken line of succession originating in the Christian church founded by the apostles of Jesus Christ

Supporting arguments

By following in the ordination of bishops going back to the apostles, modern churches with valid historical claims to legitimacy - the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox churches and the Assyrian Church of the East - share in the authority of Jesus himself.  Related argument: Apostolic succession continues today in the Assyrian Church of the East. Related argument: Apostolic succession continues today in the Catholic Church. Related argument: Apostolic succession continues today in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Related argument: Apostolic succession continues today in the Oriental Orthodox Church.

Opposing arguments

Apostolic succession is muddy and unclear - in early Christian times, there was no formal written proof of ordination, so there is no true evidence that any church has actual apostolic legitimacy.

There is no Biblical support for the idea that any church authority possessed by the apostles was passed on in any sense.

The Biblical apostles had authority because they were possessed by the Holy Spirit, giving them the power to perform miracles. Such works have ended today, and thus there is no authority to be passed on through apostolic succession.

Notes

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