Christ's Authority to Apostolic Successors and Bishops
Christ's authority is foundational to the Christian church, with various traditions understanding its transmission and exercise differently. Jesus Christ is identified as the head of the church, appointed by God, and possessing pre-eminence in all things [1]. He is also called "the Apostle" in Hebrews 3:1, signifying his role as the one sent by God [2, 3].
During his earthly ministry, Christ commissioned his apostles, entrusting them with the organization of his church and the dissemination of his gospel [1, 2]. These apostles were specifically chosen and ordained by Christ, receiving their title from him [3]. They were sent first to the house of Israel and then to preach the gospel to all nations [3]. Christ promised his continued presence with them [3].
Regarding the authority of these apostles, some traditions, such as the Reformed (Old Princeton) view articulated by Charles Hodge, emphasize that the apostolic office was unique and non-transferable. Hodge argues that the apostles possessed supernatural revelation, infallibility in communicating truth, and divine authentication through signs and wonders [6, 8]. These gifts and prerogatives were personal and not intended to be transmitted to successors [6, 8]. Therefore, claims by later figures to possess the same authority are seen as an "imposture" [6]. The power to "bind and loose," initially given to Peter, was later extended to all the apostles and even to every association of Christians that constitutes a church, according to Hodge [5, 7].
In contrast, the Catholic tradition, as seen in the work of Aquinas, distinguishes between Christ's power of "authority" (which belongs to him as God and cannot be communicated) and his power of "excellence" (which belongs to him as man and could be communicated to ministers) [10]. This perspective allows for the possibility of Christ instituting sacraments and leaving their full institution to the apostles, particularly after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit [9]. The Catholic view also holds that there can be a universal authority over particular authorities in the Church, with bishops holding a governing power [11].
Methodist/Wesleyan interpretations, such as Adam Clarke's commentary on Ezekiel 34:23, identify Jesus Christ as the "one Shepherd" from whom all Christian ministers derive their authority to teach and their grace to teach effectually [4]. This suggests a direct, spiritual derivation of authority from Christ to ministers, rather than a strictly hierarchical or successional one.
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Christ, the Head of the Church — Predicted -- Ps 118:22; Mt 21:42. Appointed by God -- Eph 1:22. Declared by himself -- Mt 21:42. As his mystical body -- Eph 4:12,15; 5:23. Has the pre-eminence in all things -- 1Co 11:3; Eph 1:22; Col 1:18. Commissioned his Apostles -- Mt 10:1,7; 28:19; Joh 20:21. Instituted the ordinances -- Mt 28:19; Lu 22:19,20. Imparts gifts -- Ps 68:18; Eph 4:8. Saints are complete in -- Col 2:10. Perverters of the truth do not hold -- Col 2:18,19.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Apostle — A person sent by another; a messenger; envoy. This word is once used as a descriptive designation of Jesus Christ, the Sent of the Father (Heb. 3:1; John 20:21). It is, however, generally used as designating the body of disciples to whom he intrusted the organization of his church and the dissemination of his gospel, "the twelve," as they are called (Matt. 10:1-5; Mark 3:14; 6:7; Luke 6:13; 9:1). We have four lists of the apostles, one by each of the synoptic evangelists (Matt. 10:2-4; Mark 3:16; Luke 6:14), and one in the Acts (1:13). No two of these lists”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Apostles, The — Christ pre-eminently called "The Apostle" -- Heb 3:1. Ordained by Christ -- Mr 3:14; Joh 15:16. Received their title from Christ -- Lu 6:13. Called by God. -- 1Co 1:1; 12:28; Ga 1:1,15,16. Christ. -- Mt 10:1; Mr 3:13; Ac 20:24; Ro 1:5. The Holy Spirit. -- Ac 20:24; Ro 1:5. Were unlearned men -- Ac 4:13. Selected from obscure stations -- Mt 4:18. Sent first to the house of Israel -- Mt 10:5,6; Lu 24:47; Ac 13:46. Sent to preach the gospel to all nations -- Mt 28:19,20; Mr 16:15; 2Ti 1:11. Christ always present with -- Mt 28:20. Warned against a timid p”
- Ezekiel (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Ezekiel 34:23: I will set up one Shepherd - my servant David - David, king of Israel, had been dead upwards of four hundred years; and from that time till now there never was a ruler of any kind, either in the Jewish church or state, of the name of David. This, then, must be some typical person; and from the texts marked in the margin we understand that Jesus Christ alone is meant, as both Old and New Testaments agree in this. And from this one Shepherd all Christian ministers must derive their authority to teach, and their grace to teach effectually. By the kind providence of G”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 16:19: And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven--the kingdom of God about to be set up on earth and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven--Whatever this mean, it was soon expressly extended to all the apostles (Mat 18:18); so that the claim of supreme authority in the Church, made for Peter by the Church of Rome, and then arrogated to themselves by the popes as the legitimate successors of St. Peter, is baseless and impudent. As first in confessin”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 1, section 38: The world has never seen or suffered a greater imposture than that weak, ignorant, and often immoral men, should claim the same authority to teach and rule that belonged to men to whom the truth was supernaturally revealed, who were confessedly infallible in its communication, and to whose divine mission God himself bore witness in signs and wonders, and divers miracles and gifts of the Holy Ghost. The office of the Apostles as described in the New Testament, was, therefore, from its nature incapable of being transmitted, and has not in f”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 79: loosed in heaven.” The first remark to be made on these passages is, that whatever power is granted in them to the Apostles, is granted in Matthew xviii. 18 to all Christians, 762 or, at least, to every association of Christians which constitutes a Church. “If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be establ”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 79: or in judging of their character, but simply infallible as teachers; and they had authority to organize the Church, and to lay down laws for its future government and discipline. These gifts and prerogatives, indeed, in no way qualified them to sit in judgment on the souls of men, to pardon or condemn them at discretion; but, such as they were, they were personal. Those who claim to be their official successors, and arrogate their peculiar prerogatives, do not pretend to possess their gifts; they do not pretend to personal infallibility i”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Supplement (Supplementum), Of Extreme Unction, As Regards Its Essence and Institution, Art. 3: Article: Whether this sacrament was instituted by Christ? I answer that, There are two opinions on this point. For some hold that this sacrament and Confirmation were not instituted by Christ Himself, but were left by Him to be instituted by the apostles; for the reason that these two sacraments, on account of the plenitude of grace conferred in them, could not be instituted before the mission of the Holy Ghost in perfect plenitude. Hence they are sacraments of the New Law ”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Third Part (Tertia Pars), Of the Causes of the Sacraments, Art. 4: Article: Whether Christ could communicate to ministers the power which He had in the sacraments? I answer that, As stated above (Article [3]), Christ had a twofold power in the sacraments. one was the power of "authority," which belongs to Him as God: and this power He could not communicate to any creature; just as neither could He communicate the Divine Essence. The other was the power of "excellence," which belongs to Him as man. This power He could communicate to ministers; namely, by giving them ”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Supplement (Supplementum), Of the Things Annexed to the Sacrament of Order, Art. 6: Article: Whether in the Church there can be anyone above the bishops? I answer that, Wherever there are several authorities directed to one purpose, there must needs be one universal authority over the particular authorities, because in all virtues and acts the order is according to the order of their ends (Ethic. i, 1,2). Now the common good is more Godlike than the particular good. Wherefore above the governing power which aims at a particular good there must be a universal governin”