Refuting Apostolic Succession
Commissioning A Successor
The New Testament does not record a direct, formal succession of apostolic authority in the same way Moses passed his leadership to Joshua. The example of Moses and Joshua is unique in the Old Testament because it was a direct and specific transfer of leadership commanded by God.
Numbers 27:18-23 – And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him; And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight. And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient. And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation. And Moses did as the LORD commanded him: and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation: And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.
Deuteronomy 31:14 – And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thy days approach that thou must die: call Joshua, and present yourselves in the tabernacle of the congregation, that I may give him a charge. And Moses and Joshua went, and presented themselves in the tabernacle of the congregation.
Deuteronomy 31:23 – And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee.
Joshua 1:16-17 – And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go. According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee: only the LORD thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses.
The transfer of authority from Moses to Joshua was explicitly commanded by God. There is no biblical record of the apostles receiving such a command to transfer their apostolic authority in the same manner.
Royal Priesthood
Every Christian has direct access to God and can minister to others without needing a hierarchical priesthood. All believers are a royal priesthood, indicating that the priestly role is available to all Christians, not just those in a succession line.
1 Peter 2:5,9 – Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ… But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
These passages support the idea that all Christians share in the priesthood through faith in Christ, rather than needing a specific class of ordained individuals to mediate between God and the people. This challenges the necessity of a hierarchical structure with apostolic succession for the transmission of authority.
The priesthood of all believers undermines the need for a formal, hierarchical succession. Since all believers are priests, the need for a distinct class of clergy with special authority is eliminated. This disproves the validity of apostolic succession, the church authority is decentralized since all believers are priest. All believers share in the responsibilities of faith, worship, and ministry. Everyone has the right and responsibility to engage in ministry and spread the gospel.
Foundation Of The Church
The Church is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the cornerstone, suggesting that the Church's authority is rooted in Christ rather than in a human lineage. Their role in establishing doctrine and writing Scripture is viewed as unique. The apostles were primarily teachers and witnesses of Jesus' resurrection and His message. Their teachings and doctrine establish the foundation of the Church.
Ephesians 2:19-20 – Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; Paul describes the Church as being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. The apostles were entrusted with revealing God's truth, particularly the gospel, and their teachings were foundational to the growth of the Church.
1 Corinthians 3:9-11 – For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
The "foundation" Paul speaks of is explicitly identified as Jesus Christ, whose message of salvation centers on Him. His entire ministry as an apostle was focused on spreading Christ's teachings. Therefore, the apostles’ teachings, centered on Christ, form the basis or foundation of the Church.
Matthew 7:24-25 – Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
While this passage speaks more generally about hearing and obeying Jesus' words, it reinforces the idea that the "foundation" is something solid, lasting, and dependable. Jesus' teachings (and by extension, the gospel message as proclaimed by His apostles) are meant to be the foundation of the church and Christian life.
Acts 2:42 – And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
After the first sermon by Peter, the early church devoted itself to the apostles' teaching centered on the gospel message of Christ. This teaching became the foundation for the early church's belief and practice.
The foundation refers to their doctrine and teachings about Christ, which became the bedrock for the Church.
1 Peter 2:5-6 – Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
John 17:20 – Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
Jesus is referring to the message the apostles will spread, which is foundational for those who come to faith.
Faith Given Once
The teachings of the Christian faith was given only once. This means the essential truths of christianity were already established and revealed, passed down (delivered) to the early believers (the saints).
Jude 1:3 – Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
📜 FAITH
pistis (pis'-tis)
From G3982; persuasion, that is, credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly constancy in such profession; by extension the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself: - assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.
The Message
Paul instructs Timothy to pass on the teachings and instructions he has received to reliable individuals who can continue the work of teaching others. This reflects the principle of discipleship and the continuity of sound doctrine in the church.
2 Timothy 2:2 – And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
1 Timothy 4:16 – Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
Acts 2:42 – And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
These verses does not refer to a hierarchical succession of apostolic authority but rather the faithful transmission of the gospel message. Paul’s concern is that the true teachings of Christ are preserved through reliable teaching. Church leaders in the generations following the apostles have to be faithful to the teachings of the apostles rather than having authority to create new doctrine.
Role Of Leaders
Peter speaks to elders (pastors), but not in the sense that they carry the same apostolic authority, but rather as shepherds of local churches. The authority described here is not the same as the foundational authority of the apostles.
1 Peter 5:1-3 – The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
Faithful To The Message
Titus 1:9 – Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
This verse shows that there was already a recognized body of teaching in the early Church, passed down from the apostles to other leaders, such as elders and overseers. This teaching was regarded as authoritative, suggesting that the core doctrines of the faith were well-established even before the New Testament canon was fully assembled.
Early Christian Credibility
Many people argue that early Christian beliefs carry particular authority because the early Christians lived closer in time to the apostles. They believe that the proximity of early Christians to the apostles, both in time and often in geography, gives their beliefs, practices, and teachings special credibility. However Paul warns of false teachers in the early church.
Acts 20:28-30 – Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
Paul warns that even from within the leadership, false teachers would arise. This undermines the idea that succession guarantees the transmission of true teaching. Rather, authority is validated by adherence to sound doctrine. This passage also shows that church leadership is entrusted by the Holy Spirit, not through a formal lineage.
Established In The Truth
2 Peter 1:12-15 – Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.
Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
The apostle Peter writes to encourage his readers to remain steadfast in their faith and to remember the truths he has taught them. He expresses his commitment to reminding them of these truths, even though they are already familiar with them. Peter wants to ensure they they will continue to recall and live out the teachings of Christ.
Peter’s focus was on preserving teachings, not appointing successors to hold institutional authority. There is no reference to a clear succession plan or a necessity of an unbroken chain of leadership authority.
Ephesians 2:19-20 – Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
This verse emphasizes Christ as the ultimate foundation of the Church and suggests that the "foundation of the apostles" refers to their teaching, not an ongoing hierarchical succession of their authority.
1 Corinthians 3:10-11 – According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
The "foundation" is seen as once-laid and not continuously relayed through generations of leaders.
Divine Revelation
Galatians 1:11-12 – But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Paul emphasizes that his authority comes directly from Christ, not from any human lineage or apostolic line. True apostolic authority derives from divine calling and revelation rather than from an institutional succession.
Profitable For Instruction
2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect (complete), throughly furnished unto all good works.
Scripture alone is sufficient for the Church’s teaching and governance, without the need for an unbroken chain of apostolic authority. This undermines the necessity of apostolic succession for maintaining the true faith and authority within the Church.
Head Of The Church
Colossians 1:18 – And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
This verse underscores that Christ is the head of the Church, rather than any human authority figure. Christ has direct leadership over the Church, rather than any human hierarchy or succession.
I created a comprehensive guide that organizes bible verses by categories, making it easier than ever to deepen your understanding and apply God's word to your life, download here. If you would like to support my ministry you can do so by donating here or subscribing to my Patreon.
Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
- The Christian King
