BobRyan said:
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There were a great many elders and presbyters - but only one apostolic successor in all of the NT - and he is found in Acts 1.
1. In all of that - you came up with no example of apostolic succession from the Bible.
2. I point to Acts 1 - and it is not that long a chapter. But it does show Apostolic succession for one Apostle.
Judas.
The apostles ordained men. Every example in the bible shows that leaders were picked from the leaders. Unlike in other modern Christian groups where you can make yourself a pastor because you believe you are called,
1. The original question was about apostolic succession - and there not one example of it outside of Jude 1. Simply appointing leaders at each local church - was not the same as appointing an Apostle to succeed Judas as we see in Acts 1. I think that point is pretty clear to all of us.
2. The "appoint myself your pastor" scenario you include in your post is unknown to me and almost everyone else here.
not because you were called and approved by the leadership. The only leader of the early Church not appointed was Paul, who was called by God and then recognized by the local leadership.
Paul received the laying on of hands in Damascus by Ananias
in Acts 9.
Then Paul has appointed by the church in Acts 13 via fasting and prayer and laying on of hands.
2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
Paul then went on to battle the Gnostics who appointed themselves.
The idea of individuals calling themselves is unknown to all of us.
The idea that someone evangelizes his friends and neighbors - is known to all of us because God has called all of us to do that. See Matt 28. See 1 Thess 1.
6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost.
7
So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.
8 For f
rom you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.
Sola Scriptura
Bible details matter.
And it is not at all condemned in the bible