Apostolic Succession is as Easy as WWJD

In Scripture, we are given a record of Jesus handing off his authority to His Apostles. What were his Apostles to imply from this act? That the kingdom would die upon their death? Do we have one word from Christ instructing them to “write down this Gospel so it might be the ‘sole rule of faith’”? No, not at all. Instead, they did what he did. They passed off their ministry to successors. That is why St. Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:14:

“But continue thou in those things which thou hast learned, and which have been committed to thee: knowing of whom thou hast learned them.”

I imagine the scene like this:

[moments after the Ascension]

Apostle A: "What are we going to do?"

Apostle B: "Write a book!"

Apostles C: "Bad idea. Too costly. Not enough people can read. Plus, did anybody notice Jesus writing anything down?"

Apostle E: "Nice point, Apostle C."

Apostle F: "What would Jesus do?" (peering down at his bracelet)

Apostle G: "I remember Jesus saying, 'Peace be to you. As the Father hath sent me, I also send you.' Maybe we should do that?

Apostle B: "Do what?"

Apostle F: "Pass our ministry off to successors. Send them. Duh."

And So They Did...

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