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'''Apostolic succession''' refers to the Christian doctrine that holds modern churches to be the descendants of the early apostolic church through the sacramental handing down of authority through the episcopate. Most significantly, it considers that the authority to celebrate [[sacrament]]s is dependent on being able to trace such authority back to the first apostles, who in turn received it directly from [[Christ]].

'''Apostolic succession''' refers to the Christian doctrine that holds modern churches to be the descendants of the early apostolic church through the sacramental handing down of authority through the episcopate. Most significantly, it considers that the authority to celebrate [[sacrament]]s is dependent on being able to trace such authority back to the first apostles, who in turn received it directly from [[Christ]].

 

Churches in Apostolic Succession see in their doctrine and practice a sure and biblical, though not infallible, means of receiving and perpetuating the Faith from one generation to another. This is because Apostolic Succession requires a "tactile," person to person, conferring of authority from the Apostles onward. It requires the most heightened responsibility in the giving and receiving. The practice originated in the late first century. It is also believed that there is the grace to [[Discernment|discern]] and lead into all truth by the grace of the Holy Spirit<ref>John 14:16-17 and Hebrews 13:17; Acts 20:28</ref> transmitted by the laying on of hands at the time of [[ordination]]. Proponents see Apostolic succession in both the Old and the New Testaments:

Churches in Apostolic Succession see in their doctrine and practice a sure and biblical, though not infallible, means of receiving and perpetuating the Faith from one generation to another. This is because Apostolic Succession requires a "tactile," person to person, conferring of authority from the Apostles onward. It requires the most heightened responsibility in the giving and receiving. The practice originated in the late first century. It is also believed that there is the grace to [[Discernment|discern]] and lead into all truth by the grace of the Holy Spirit<ref>John 14:16-17 and Hebrews 13:17; Acts 20:28</ref> transmitted by the laying on of hands at the time of [[ordination]]. Proponents see Apostolic succession in both the Old and the New Testaments: