QUESTION:
2/1/2010: Could you please elaborate (or direct me to a good source) on the concept of ordination and sacramental authority? Is there biblical support for this? I know the Apostles were given Christ's authority to baptize and forgive sins, etc., but what I'm mainly interested in, is the scriptural foundation and/or patristic logic/explanation behind this transferal, if that makes any sense. For example, how would we explain and confirm this to a Protestant who does not believe their "sacraments" (or versions of them anyway) need ordinational validity? If they ask, "Why would my pastor need to be ordained by someone with apostolic succession for our sacraments to be valid"? |
ANSWER:
The concept of an authorization to perform a sacrificial act is pervasive in the OT, which is why is it assumed and taken again in the NT (especially Jude's reference to the rebellion). In the Scriptural mind, only an authorized person can serve, a good example being Zachariah in Luke 1. Acts 1 echoes Luke 1 with Matthias being selected by casting of lots to a priestly office, with authorization of the apostles. Likewise in Acts the reception of the Holy Spirit cannot be conferred by Philip who is a deacon but only but the Apostles. This pattern is thus obvious in the Scripture and no one can be conceived as "authorized to function" apart from what Irenaeus called the "primitive succession."
This site has more information on the concept of "valid" as really meaning "firm" or "assured." |
