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REFERENCE: Apostolic Succession

Here's another of the reference sections I'm working on compiling. Once done I'll pull this into a downloadable PDF document that can be searched and used when questions arise.

Biblical references are always listed first (regardless of date) and formatted as so: Verse. Short synopsis of content and other comments.

Early Church Father references are formatted as so: Author Name of Work. Date – traditional numbering (Jurgen’s Faith of the Early Fathers Numbering). Short synopsis of content and other comments.

This is the reference on Apostolic Succession:

• Acts 1:20-26. A successor to Judas is chosen to fill Judas’ “seat.”
  
• Ephesians 2:20. The Church (household of God) is built upon the Apostles; we can infer apostolic succession from this (it assumes continuance of the Church from this base).
  
• 2 Timothy 4:1-6. Paul seems to hand his office down to Timothy.
  
• St. Clement of Rome Letter to the Corinthians. c. 80 A.D. – 42, 1 (20). Discusses how the apostles tested men to become bishops and deacons. Also argues that this is not a new teaching.
  
• St. Clement of Rome Letter to the Corinthians. c. 80 A.D. – 44, 1 (21). A complete argument showing the necessity of apostolic succession (note: this is before many books of the Bible were written).
  
• St. Ignatius of Antioch Letter to the Trallians. c. 110 A.D. – 2, 1 (48). We must “submit to the bishop as [we] would to Jesus Christ.”
  
• St. Ignatius of Antioch Letter to the Trallians. c. 110 A.D. – 3, 1 (49). The bishop is a “type of the Father.” This also clearly defines the separate roles within the Church.
  
• St. Ignatius of Antioch Letter to the Smyrnaeans. c. 110 A.D. – 8, 1 (65). Whatever the bishop does is “secure and valid” – we should follow the bishops as Christ follows the Father. Uses the word “Eucharist.”
  
• St. Hegesippus Fragment in Eusebius’ History of the Church. c. 180 A.D. – 4, 22, 1 (188). Historical recording of the succession of bishops.
  
• St. Irenaeus Against Heresies. c. 180-199 A.D. – 3, 3, 1 (209). Describes apostolic succession and how teachings were handed down from the apostles.
  
• St. Irenaeus Against Heresies. c. 180-199 A.D. – 3, 3, 4 (212). Explains that Polycarp was “appointed bishop” of Smyrna and mentions the “successors of Polycarp”
  
• St. Irenaeus Against Heresies. c. 180-199 A.D. – 4, 26, 2 (237). Explains that we should obey those who have “part in the primitive succession” from the Apostles.
  
• St. Irenaeus Against Heresies. c. 180-199 A.D. – 4, 33, 8 (242). Shows how the “tradition of the Scriptures” is handed down through the succession of bishops.
  
• St. Irenaeus Against Heresies. c. 180-199 A.D. – 5, 20, 1 (257). Suggests you can spot heretics because of their “scattered” doctrine and lack of the “firm tradition of the Apostles.”
  
• Tertullian The Demurrer Against the Heretics. c. 200 A.D. – 32, 1 (296). Says dissenters must show that they come from the Apostles. Elaborate detail on succession to argue against heretics.