Differing perspectives on Apostolic Succession

[christopherdombrowski]

How can this forum hold in integrity all the groups it identifies as having Apostolic Succession if not all of the groups agree that all the groups identified actually have Apostolic Succession, and even some do not agree to the very definition of Apostolic Succession offered?

 

[placidus]

How can this forum hold in integrity all the groups it identifies as having Apostolic Succession if not all of the groups agree that all the groups identified actually have Apostolic Succession, and even some do not agree to the very definition of Apostolic Succession offered?

Good question. I'm going to guess that the common (mis)understanding of apostolic succession is reduced to its mechanical nature - the physical transmission by the laying on of hands-while ignoring willfully or not, the required faith that necessarily accompanies the act. Thus, any protestant group can claim 'succession' while deviating from what the church believes and teaches 'at all times and everywhere.'
But given that, has anything transpired in the act? Has the holy spirit been 'duped' so to speak, to annoint a bishop at variance with the teaching and tradition of the church? i don't think so...........the reduction of succession to a mechanical feature is, IMO, a primary reason there are so many claiming validity from suspect sources............. peace

 

[Mary of Bethany]

As one of the "founding members" of this forum, I can say that the reason for the forum was to establish a place where Christians who believe in Hierarchical Order, Liturgy, and Sacrament could fellowship and debate. It seemed that the easiest way to define that membership was by belief in Apostolic Succession within a church group. If you belong to a church which still observes historic apostolic succession through the laying on of hands from existing Bishops to Bishop, then you are considered a member of the forum.

For *purposes of this forum*, any historic/ancient apostolic church qualifies, regardless of what the other historic/ancient apostolic church may think about any particular church. Otherwise, this forum couldn't exist. And we would be forced into the endless "catholic vs evangelical" arguments that abound in GT.

Mary