How does apostolic succession work?

Answer 1

Apostolic succession is the doctrine that the chosen successors of the Twelve Apostles, from the first century to the present day, have the same authority, power, and responsibility as was conferred upon the apostles by Jesus.

This doctrine has particular effect in the Romans Catholic Church, which hold that the current pope is the direct successor of the apostle Peter. This originates with Pope Anicetus (156-166), who, during the course of a theological argument with Polycarp of Smyrna, claimed that Peter had travelled to Rome to lead the Christians there and had been beheaded in Rome, meaning that he (Anicetus) spoke with the authority of Peter. Clement of Rome, writing around 95 CE (1 Clement), spoke in general terms about the life and death of Peter but appears to have been unaware that he had even visited Rome.

Answer 2

Apostolic succession means that all the bishops in the Catholic Church (including the Pope) can all be traced back to the original apostles. Succession means successive consecration by the laying on of hands, performing the functions of the Apostles, receiving their commission in a lineal sequence from the Apostles, succession in episcopal sees traced back to the Apostles, and successive communion with the Apostolic See, i.e. the Bishop of Rome. The Eastern Orthodox and others share in the apostolic succession in having valid episcopal orders, although they are not in collegial union with the roman Catholic hierarchy.