Examining the Claim of Apostolic Succession

A widely held Roman Catholic teaching asserts that the apostles passed their authority to successors, with the bishop of Rome as Peter’s direct successor. This belief, called “apostolic succession,” maintains that the chain of authority from the apostles continues through the bishops. The question is whether this teaching accords with Scripture and with early historical records. Many Catholic sources claim that Peter received a primacy conferring authority over the entire congregation of Christ, which he allegedly passed along through bishops in an unbroken line. However, a close examination of biblical texts offers insights that challenge this view.

The concept of apostolic succession proposes that the original twelve apostles were commissioned to found Christ’s congregation, and that the authority and responsibilities of the apostles transferred to later church leaders. The claim is that Peter, seen as “the rock” on which the church would be built, served as the first “pope,” and that subsequent bishops of Rome inherited his role. Yet essential questions arise: Was Peter truly singled out as the foundation of the church? Did the other apostles view him as supreme among them? Did Jesus teach that he needed successors at all, seeing that he lives forever?

Was Peter the “Rock” or Was Christ the True Foundation?

A pivotal passage used to uphold the idea of Peter’s primacy is Matthew 16:18, where Jesus tells Peter: “You are Peter and on this rock I will build my church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it.” In the context, Jesus had just inquired who the apostles believed him to be, and Peter answered that Jesus was “the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Upon that confession, Jesus highlighted something about a “rock.” Many Catholics say that this “rock” is Peter. However, an examination of the rest of Scripture reveals that Peter and the other apostles identified Christ himself as the foundational “cornerstone.”

Acts 4:8-11 describes Peter addressing religious leaders and explicitly referring to Jesus as “the stone rejected by you the builders, but which has proved to be the keystone.” First Peter 2:4-8 applies similar language, referring to Christ as the “precious cornerstone” upon which believers are built as “living stones.” Paul likewise wrote at Ephesians 2:20, “You are part of a building that has the apostles and prophets for its foundations, and Christ Jesus himself for its main cornerstone.” The biblical testimony shows that Peter did not exalt himself as the congregation’s foundation. Rather, he proclaimed Jesus as “the stone” on which the church rests.

A noteworthy early theologian, Augustine, wrote that he had once referred to Peter as the rock but later clarified that the rock in Matthew 16:18 should be understood as Christ, the One Peter confessed. Augustine recognized that Peter was simply the representative “stone” built upon Christ. This aligns with the historical-grammatical reading of Scripture, which consistently declares Jesus to be the bedrock of Christian faith.

Did Peter Exercise Primacy Among the Apostles?

Another reason used to argue for apostolic succession is that Peter supposedly stood above all the apostles with supreme authority, later passed on to the bishop of Rome. A candid look at the apostolic record reveals no consensus that Peter held primacy. Luke 22:24-26 records a dispute among the apostles over which of them was the greatest. If Peter had been universally acknowledged as highest in authority, that disagreement would not have made sense. Jesus told them that none should “lord it over” the others.

Galatians chapter 2 shows that Paul publicly admonished Peter for conduct that compromised the truth, another indication that Peter was not viewed as an unquestioned leader above all apostles. Moreover, Scripture never provides an instance of the apostle John or the apostle James proclaiming that they recognized Peter as head of the worldwide congregation. They all took direction from Jesus, the living Head.

The Keys Entrusted to Peter

When Jesus stated at Matthew 16:19 that he would give Peter “the keys of the kingdom of heaven,” some interpret this to mean Peter would function as the gateway to salvation, passing on authority to subsequent bishops. However, Revelation 3:7, 8 depicts Jesus as the One who has “the key of David,” enabling him to open and shut opportunities for salvation.

Peter’s role in using the keys can be understood by examining the book of Acts. Peter first declared the opportunity for Jews to receive God’s spirit and become part of Christ’s congregation at Pentecost (Acts 2:14-39). Later, he participated in opening the door to Samaritans (Acts 8:14-17) and finally to uncircumcised Gentiles (Acts 10:24-48). These events illustrate how Peter functioned as a keyholder, introducing multiple groups into the Christian congregation. Yet Scripture nowhere suggests that heaven was bound to follow Peter’s lead. Acts 10:19, 20 shows that Peter was prompted by God’s spirit, and in each case the direction came from above. Jesus remains the ultimate judge (2 Timothy 4:1, 8).

Does Jesus Require Successors?

The Roman Catholic claim is that Jesus appointed Peter as his vicar, necessitating successors after Peter’s death. However, the book of Hebrews explains that Jesus is an ever-living High Priest, incapable of being replaced. Hebrews 7:23-25 says that unlike human priests who die, Jesus “remains for ever, can never lose his priesthood.” Romans 6:9 indicates that Jesus, having been raised from the dead, will never die again. Ephesians 5:23 adds that “Christ is head of the Church.” This living Head does not need a substitute to rule in his place.

Scripture nowhere indicates that Peter took on a role as supreme head of the church that would require an unbroken chain of successors. The apostles recognized Christ as the abiding leader of all Christians. They encouraged believers to follow Christ’s teachings as presented in the inspired Scriptures. No biblical text suggests that in the generations after the apostles, an office of “pope” or head bishop would guide believers. The principle of ultimate headship remains invested in Jesus himself.

The Alleged Presence of Peter in Rome

One of the pillars of Rome’s claim is that Peter resided and served as a bishop there, conferring unique authority on that city. However, the Scriptural references to Rome do not mention Peter being there. First Peter 5:13 says he was in “Babylon,” which many Catholic sources interpret as a cryptic reference to Rome. Yet there was a large Jewish population in literal Babylon, and Peter’s particular commission was to preach to Jews (Galatians 2:9). Historical references indicate that many Jews resided in Babylon during that period. Scripture provides no solid footing for concluding that Peter was bishop in Rome.

Is There an Unbroken Chain of Successors?

Roman Catholic sources themselves acknowledge the lack of conclusive historical evidence for a complete chain of unbroken successors from Peter onward. The Jesuit scholar John McKenzie once wrote: “Historical evidence does not exist for the entire chain of succession of church authority.” The New Catholic Encyclopedia similarly concedes “the scarcity of documents” concerning the early development of the episcopate. This dearth of historical documentation raises serious questions about the claim of a seamless, traceable line from the apostles to modern bishops.

Even if one were to suppose that an unbroken chain existed, the authenticity of such a claim requires that successors faithfully adhere to the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. The Bible consistently shows that divine appointment alone, if asserted, is invalidated by unfaithful acts. Jeremiah 7:9-15 addresses those who misused their connection to the sanctuary, highlighting that disobedience to God nullifies claims of legitimate authority. Jesus himself said at Matthew 7:21-23 that some would call him “Lord” and speak of grand works done in his name but would be rejected due to lawlessness.

Evaluating the Teachings and Practices of Claimed Successors

A fair standard to decide if bishops or leaders truly succeed the apostles is to measure their beliefs and conduct against Scripture. Jesus said in John 8:31, 32 that real disciples abide in his word. A few teachings and practices illustrate the difficulty of matching Roman Catholic dogmas to apostolic doctrine.

Scripture emphasizes that God is one, yet with no explicit formula for a trinity. The Catholic Encyclopedia notes that the specific doctrine of the Trinity took centuries to develop. Many Catholic scholars, along with others, acknowledge that the exact trinitarian formulation is absent from the New Testament. This differs from the plain teaching that Jehovah God is the Almighty and that Jesus is his Son, subordinate to the Father (John 14:28; 1 Corinthians 15:27, 28).

The requirement of clerical celibacy also highlights a departure from apostolic teaching. According to Mark 1:29-31, Peter had a mother-in-law, indicating that he was married. Paul stated that a bishop should be “the husband of one wife” (1 Timothy 3:2, Dy), while 1 Corinthians 9:5 confirms that the apostles and other leading servants had believing wives. Yet Roman Catholic policy mandates that priests and higher clergy remain unmarried, something Paul never commanded.

Roman Catholic acceptance of armed warfare stands apart from the apostles’ consistent call to Christian love and refusal to respond with violence. First-century Christians did not engage in carnal warfare, following Jesus’ directive to put away the sword (Matthew 26:52). They adhered to John’s teaching that anyone hating his brother is “no child of God’s” (1 John 3:10-12). By contrast, Catholic bishops historically blessed wars, praying for success in battle. Many historians admit that leaders considered national loyalty above pacifist ideals. Thus, the record does not reflect the early apostolic position.

Conclusion

Roman Catholic doctrine holds that its bishops and specifically the bishop of Rome stand as successors to the apostles, most notably to the apostle Peter. Yet the Scriptures do not teach that Peter served as the congregation’s foundation. Rather, Peter and the other apostles consistently identified Jesus Christ as the essential “rock” or “cornerstone.” There is no biblical endorsement that Peter assumed a permanent position of universal authority. The apostolic record portrays each apostle as a coworker under the singular headship of the risen Christ.

The role of the “keys” given to Peter opened opportunities of salvation to Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles, but Scripture ascribes ultimate authority and judgment to Jesus. Further, the notion that Jesus needs successors conflicts with the reality that he is alive forever, “head of the Church.” Historical sources even within the Catholic tradition acknowledge the scarcity of documentation for an unbroken chain of successors. Moreover, claims of authority do not stand if the teachings and practices diverge from the pattern set by Jesus and the apostles.

Those who truly follow Jesus abide by the commands he and his inspired apostles recorded. Many Catholic doctrines—such as the fully developed trinitarian dogma, enforced clerical celibacy, and acceptance of national warfare—have origins that cannot be traced to Jesus or the apostles. Ultimately, the biblical standard requires that leaders remain faithful to the Word of God rather than lean on extrabiblical claims of unbroken succession. Jesus declared at Matthew 7:21 that those doing the will of the Father will enter the kingdom, emphasizing that professed authority is no guarantee of divine approval. Genuine apostolic teaching and practice must reflect Scripture’s unchanging counsel, pointing believers to Jesus Christ as the ever-living Head.

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).