Apostolic Succession

The Inner Circle(Transfiguration, Garden of Gethsemane etc.)

Peter

who were they?

brothers “Sons of Thunder”, possibly cousins of Jesus

John James

John

• disciple of the St. John the Baptist

• the “one Jesus loved”

• followed Jesus after arrest

• at the foot of the Cross

• first to acknowledge the Resurrection

• Jesus entrusted him to care for His mother

James

• fisherman

• “thunderous” temper?

• first martyred Apostle 44 A.D.

Peter-Is this Man Qualified to Lead the Church?

• Jesus’ prophesy of death “get behind me Satan”

• hastily cutting off ear of priest servant

• fell asleep in the Garden

• wash Jesus’ feet incident

• walked on water (almost)

• denied Jesus 3 times before rooster crowed

Peter’s Confession Jesus asked, "Who do

you say I am?"

 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.“

 Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

Mt 16: 15-19

1. Jesus: "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?"

Peter: "Yes, Lord, you know t that I love you.“

Jesus: "Feed my lambs."

2. Jesus: "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter: "Yes, Lord,

you know that I love you.“

Jesus: "Tend my sheep."

3. Jesus: "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter (distressed):

"Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you."

Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep”.

John 21:15-19

Peter’s “Ordination”

Jesus: “Amen, amen, I say to you…when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone …will lead you where you do not want to go."

“Upon this Rock I will

build my Church”

Matthew 16:18

Christmas Mass 2008St. Peter’s Basilica

Peter Appointed a Successor Before He Died

St. Linus,

the 2nd pope

Early Church Persecution

Martyrdom of Pope Clement I

The Church came out of hiding as Emperor

Constantine legalized Christianity

His mother St. Helena played an important role

in Church and Shrine building and collecting

artifacts

They had collections of writings including Scripture but Apostolic Tradition ruled the day, The Holy Bible as we know it today came still later…!

Constantine Formed the Council of Nicea 325 AD

clerical/political election (Popes and Anti-Popes)

An Unbroken Chain

PeterLinus

~30 Popes (reigning under persecution/martyrdom)

Clement

Emperor Constantine

313 A.D.

Priests

Bishops

College of Cardinals

Pope

Bishops

ordination

You are also at the end of this chain!

• Holy Communion

• Confirmation

Priests/Bishops provide these sacraments to us as they act in persona Christi when ordained by the

authority of Apostolic Succession

Andrew: Eastern & Russian Orthodox

Mark: Greek Orthodox

Bartholomew/Jude: Armenian Apostolic Church

Thomas: Syrian/Indian

Philip: Ethiopian Orthodox Church

James the Lesser: Greek Orthodox of Jerusalem

Mark: Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria

Barnabas: Orthodox Church of Cyprus

Apostolic Succession in part of the Orthodox Church

“Valid Holy Orders/in Full Communion”

Apostolic Disconnection

Eastern Orthodox c.1000 A.D.

Lutherans 1517

Anglicans1534

Presbyterians1534

Baptists1605 Episcopalians, 1600s.

Methodists, 1744.

Mormons (Latter Day Saints), 1829.

Salvation Army, 1865.

Pentecostals, 1900s.

The Apostolic Mission

Unite the Church as one

catholic faith

The End