MR 5.D Apostolic Succession

Where do we see evidence of Apostolic authority and succession in scripture? Why is that important today?

Above is the question proposed on my Instructor's Moodle Page... Below is my analysis& answer

Where do we see evidence of Apostolic authority and succession in scripture?

-St Jerome speaks: 

"Far be it from me to speak adversely of any of these clergy who, in succession from the apostles, confect by their sacred word the Body of Christ and through whose efforts also it is that we are Christians" (Letters 14:8 [A.D. 396]). 

-Here we see in scripture, "in succession from the apostles" that after JC, he would need a "replacement" figure to initiate the sacraments.

We also see this in the Book of Luke

-Luke 9:1; 10:19 - Jesus gives the apostles authority over the natural and the supernatural (diseases, demons, serpents, and scorpions).

-Luke 10:16 - Jesus tells His apostles, "he who hears you, hears Me." When we hear the bishops' teaching on the faith, we hear Christ Himself.

Why is the Apostollic Authority and Succession important today?

-The handing down of Authority is especially important today because without that action of physically handing the Authority, in this case forgiveness of sins and/ or other sacraments, none of the seven Sacraments could be performed. 

-You see, at the time JC gave Peter and the Apostles the Authority to perform the Sacraments, this marked the period of Apostolic Authority and Succession.

-The Chain of Succession goes like this:

JC -- Peter & Apostles -- Church Bishops, Priests and Pope