Apostolic succession is the claim that authority has been passed down in an unbroken line from the apostles to the present-day bishops and popes of the Roman Catholic Church. However, this claim collapses under the weight of a fundamental contradiction: The same institution that claims to be the guardian of apostolic authority has openly and willfully broken the eternal covenant that God Himself established—the Sabbath. By this violation alone, the Roman Church disqualifies itself from any legitimate claim to apostolic succession.
To understand the gravity of this, we must first establish the nature of God’s covenant. The Sabbath is not merely a ceremonial law given to Israel; it is an eternal commandment established at creation for all humanity. In Genesis 2:2-3, before sin even entered the world, God sanctified the seventh day as holy. This was not a covenant given to one nation, nor was it meant to be changed—God Himself rested on the seventh day and set it apart forever.
The Sabbath is a sign between God and His people for all generations. Exodus 31:16-17 states, “Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel forever.”
At first glance, one might assume this applies only to the nation of Israel. However, Israel as a modern nation did not exist when this covenant was established—nor did it refer to a geopolitical state at the time. Instead, "Israel" in this context represents the people of God, those who follow Him in faith.
Isaiah 56:6-7 further clarifies that the Sabbath was given to all who join themselves to the Lord, not just to ethnic Israelites: “Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord... every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer.” This passage confirms that foreigners—non-Israelites—who honour the Sabbath are included in God's covenant.
In the New Testament, Paul explains that true Israel is not defined by physical descent, but by faith: “They are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children” (Romans 9:6-7). He emphasizes that Gentiles who believe in Christ are grafted into the family of Israel (Romans 11:17-19), making them partakers in God's covenants and promises.
Since Israel, as a nation-state, did not exist when the Sabbath covenant was made, and since God applies His covenant to all who follow Him, it is clear that Exodus 31:16-17 does not restrict the Sabbath to ethnic Israel but extends it to all who seek to serve God. The term "perpetual" means eternal and unending, reinforcing that this covenant was never abolished and applies to all who belong to God's people—both then and now.
Jesus Christ, who is the fulfillment of the Law, upheld the Sabbath and declared that He was “Lord of the Sabbath” (Matthew 12:8). Nowhere in Scripture does Jesus or the apostles abolish or alter the Sabbath command. Instead, Christ rebuked the religious leaders for perverting it with man-made traditions. The early Church, including Paul and the other apostles, continued to observe the seventh-day Sabbath (Acts 13:42-44, Acts 17:2, Acts 18:4), proving that the true apostolic faith remained faithful to God’s covenant.
The Roman Catholic Church, the very institution that claims to be the successor of the apostles, openly acknowledges that it changed the Sabbath from the seventh day to the first—Sunday. Yet, Scripture makes it clear that Christ was crucified on Nisan 14, the annual high Sabbath before Passover, and rose on the weekly Sabbath, precisely fulfilling the prophecy of three days and three nights in the grave. Despite this, the Catholic Church does not conceal its alteration of God’s command. Catholic theologians and popes have repeatedly admitted that this change was made by their own authority, not by Scripture.
How can a church that boasts of changing God’s law claim to be His representative on Earth? How can an institution that overrules the direct command of God claim to carry the authority of those who faithfully obeyed Him?
This is not a minor theological issue; it is a direct refutation of their own claim to apostolic authority. If true apostleship is defined by obedience to God’s commands (John 14:15, 1 John 2:3-4), then an institution that deliberately changes those commands cannot possibly be the continuation of the apostolic Church. In fact, this change fulfills Daniel 7:25, which prophesies that a power would “think to change times and laws.” The Sabbath is both a time and a law, and the Roman Church openly admits to altering it.
The gravity of this cannot be overstated. The Sabbath is not just a day of rest—it is a sign of God’s authority. By changing it, the Catholic Church has not merely altered a tradition; it has set itself up as a rival to God, claiming the power to override divine law. This is the very definition of apostasy.
Furthermore, this aligns with 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, which warns of a “man of sin” who will exalt himself above God, even sitting in the temple of God and claiming to be God. What greater claim to divine authority could there be than the power to alter God’s eternal covenant?
The Catholic Church, by its own admission, has placed its traditions above the Word of God. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for doing this in Mark 7:9, saying, “Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.” The Catholic Church is guilty of the very thing Christ condemned.
If the apostles themselves obeyed the Sabbath, if Jesus upheld it, if God declared it eternal, then how can a church that abolished the Sabbath claim to be their successor? The answer is simple: It cannot. True apostleship is marked by faithfulness to God’s Word, not by institutional power.
This alone should be enough to refute the claim that the Catholic Church is the legitimate successor to the apostles. But the issue goes even deeper. By breaking God’s eternal covenant, the Roman Church has aligned itself with the very forces that seek to deceive and enslave humanity. Revelation describes a system that will make war with the saints and lead the world into deception through false doctrine (Revelation 13:4-7, Revelation 18:23). The fact that the Catholic Church boasts of altering God’s law should be a warning sign to all who seek the truth.
Revelation 14:12 describes the remnant of God’s true people in the last days:“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”
Notice what distinguishes them—they keep the commandments of God. Not man’s commandments. Not church tradition. God’s commandments.
If apostolic succession were true, then the Catholic Church would have preserved the apostolic faith in its entirety. But by breaking the Sabbath—an eternal sign of God’s authority—they have proven themselves to be an imposter, an institution that does not continue the work of the apostles but instead rebels against it.
Apostolic succession, as taught by institutionalized religion, stands in direct contradiction to the divine pattern established in Scripture. The Bible repeatedly affirms that apostleship is a calling from God, not a title passed down by men. If we are to be faithful to the Word of God, we must reject any claim to apostleship that originates from human institutions rather than from the sovereign election of Christ Himself.
From the very foundation of the Church, apostles were chosen directly by Jesus Christ. In Matthew 10:1-4, we see Jesus personally naming and calling the twelve apostles. This was not a democratic process, nor was it subject to the traditions of men. These men did not seek their own authority; rather, they were selected by divine will. Christ Himself emphasizes this in John 15:16: “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you.” This verse alone shatters the claim that apostleship could be passed down through human ordination.
The gravity of this truth is further reinforced in Luke 6:12-13, where Jesus, knowing the weight of His decision, spends the entire night in prayer before appointing His apostles. If the role of an apostle could be conferred through an institutional process, why would the Son of God need to seek the Father’s will so fervently? This moment was not about political power, clerical authority, or succession—it was about divine appointment.
A key moment that exposes the error of apostolic succession is the replacement of Judas Iscariot. In Acts 1:24-26, the remaining apostles sought to fill the vacancy left by Judas. Instead of simply appointing someone themselves, they prayed and asked the Lord to reveal the chosen successor: “Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether of these two thou hast chosen.” Even in this moment, the apostles understood that the decision was not theirs to make; only God could appoint a true apostle.
Perhaps the strongest argument against apostolic succession comes from Paul’s own apostleship. He was not one of the original twelve, nor was he chosen by any man. Instead, Acts 9:3-6 reveals how Jesus Christ personally appeared to Paul, calling him to be an apostle. Paul later writes in Galatians 1:1, “Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father…).” He directly refutes the notion that apostleship can be conferred by human authority. Paul knew that his calling did not come from any religious institution; it came from Christ alone.
If apostleship could be handed down by men, why does the Bible warn so explicitly about false apostles? 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 speaks of “false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.” Likewise, Revelation 2:2 commends the early Church for testing those who claimed to be apostles and finding them to be liars. This proves that true apostleship is not determined by title or succession but must be tested by doctrine and spiritual fruit.
Moreover, the qualifications of an apostle as set forth in Scripture prove that no institution today can claim this authority. An apostle had to:
Be personally appointed by Jesus (Matthew 10:1-4, Acts 9:15).
Witness the resurrected Christ (Acts 1:21-22, 1 Corinthians 9:1).
Perform miraculous signs as proof of their apostleship (2 Corinthians 12:12).
No man today can fulfill these requirements, and no institution can change God’s divine order. To claim apostolic authority outside of God’s appointment is to usurp Christ’s authority and deceive the people.
If apostolic succession were true, then the Roman Church and all who claim this inheritance would need to prove that their apostles were personally chosen by Christ, had seen the resurrected Lord, and performed the miracles of the early apostles. But they cannot. Their claim is built not upon Scripture but upon human tradition, a tradition that contradicts the very teachings of the Word of God.
Furthermore, the claim that apostolic succession carries authority over doctrine is entirely refuted by history. The religious institutions that have held this claim have time and again departed from the original teachings of the apostles. They have introduced doctrines not found in Scripture, corrupted the Gospel with works-based salvation, and elevated human leaders to a status that the apostles themselves never claimed. They have replaced Christ’s command with man-made tradition, breaking the eternal covenant and leading billions into deception.
This is the warning echoed throughout the New Testament: false apostles, false teachers, and false traditions that seek to replace the true authority of Christ. The idea of apostolic succession is not just an error—it is a deception designed to lead people away from the simplicity of the Gospel and into submission to an earthly institution rather than to Christ Himself.
The Church of Jesus Christ is not built upon a lineage of men but upon the unshakable foundation of the Gospel. The true apostles were chosen by God, not elected by councils. Their authority came from Christ, not from institutions. Any claim to apostleship that does not align with the biblical model must be rejected as a falsehood that exalts human power over divine truth.
The Roman Catholic Church presents itself as the guardian of divine truth, yet its doctrines resemble a script rewritten to serve an agenda rather than the unchanging Word of God. Like a movie "based on a true story," it borrows from Scripture but alters key details, inserting human authority where God alone reigns. This is not divine succession—it is a counterfeit, a deception so grand that it has rewritten history itself.
If Scripture is the absolute Word of God, then it alone determines true apostleship, true doctrine, and true authority. The moment any institution elevates its own traditions above what is written, it reveals itself as man-made fiction, not divine truth. Christ did not establish an empire. He did not build a throne draped in gold, nor did He command armies, issue papal decrees, or rewrite God’s laws to suit the ambitions of men. Yet, this is exactly what the RCC has done for centuries.
Tested by Scripture, Found Wanting:
"By their fruits ye shall know them. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?" (Matthew 7:16).
If the RCC were truly the Church of Christ, its history and doctrine should reflect Christ’s character—marked by humility, truth, and righteousness. Instead, the institution has borne fruit that is unmistakably corrupt: violence, greed, deception, and tyranny.
Did Christ command the sword to establish His kingdom? No, He said:
"Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword." (Matthew 26:52).
Yet, from the Inquisitions and Crusades to the massacres of dissenters and religious minorities, the RCC has advanced not by the Gospel, but by force. It has systematically crushed those who resisted its dominance, employing the state to enforce its will. During the Inquisition, millions were tortured and executed for "heresy," a term broadly applied to anyone challenging papal authority. The Crusades saw armies unleashed to slaughter Muslims, Jews, and even Eastern Christians, all under the pretense of reclaiming holy lands. The extermination of Protestants and Waldensians further revealed the Church’s brutality, as entire communities were burned, drowned, or executed in a ruthless campaign to uphold Catholic hegemony.
If Christ had established such a system, then the early apostles would have wielded political power. Yet the New Testament records no such ambitions—only suffering at the hands of worldly rulers, not cooperation with them.
A Wealthy Empire Built on the Backs of the Poor
Did Christ seek material wealth and control over economies? No, He warned:
"Ye cannot serve God and mammon." (Matthew 6:24).
Yet the RCC is not only the wealthiest religious institution in history, but it has long dictated economic systems for its own benefit. Papal Bulls controlled commerce, as exemplified in the Treaty of Tordesillas (1494), where the pope divided the New World between Spain and Portugal, granting vast territories based on papal authority. The sale of indulgences turned salvation into a financial transaction, exploiting the faithful for monetary gain. Vatican banking scandals have repeatedly exposed corruption, money laundering, and economic manipulation at the highest levels, revealing a pattern of financial deceit. If this were truly Christ’s church, why does it hoard wealth while millions suffer? The apostles lived humbly, relying on God, not vast treasuries.
Did Christ restrict the Scriptures from the people? No, He commanded:
"Preach the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15).
Yet the RCC has historically opposed Bible translations and punished those who sought to make Scripture accessible. John Wycliffe in the 14th century and William Tyndale in the 16th century were persecuted for translating the Bible into English, their efforts condemned as dangerous threats to Church authority. The Council of Trent (1545–1563) reinforced this suppression by declaring it heresy to interpret Scripture without the Church’s approval, effectively silencing any attempt at independent biblical understanding. For centuries, common believers were denied access to God’s Word, forced instead to rely on papal decrees and church dogma. The true Church of Christ would never seek to hide the Word of God—it would proclaim it freely.
The Vatican’s Alliance with Dictators and Tyrants
A church led by Christ would stand against tyranny, oppression, and political corruption. Yet the Vatican has repeatedly aligned itself with some of history’s most oppressive regimes, demonstrating that its true loyalty is to power—not to righteousness.
Under Francisco Franco (1939–1975), Spain became a Catholic nationalist state, fully backed by the Vatican. While Christ preached liberty and truth, Franco’s regime was built on suppression, violence, and religious coercion. Political dissidents, including Protestants and leftists, were executed or imprisoned, ensuring absolute control over the nation. Evangelicals were outlawed, non-Catholic marriages were declared invalid, and Protestant churches were destroyed to enforce Catholic supremacy. Thousands of children were forcibly taken from their families and placed in Catholic institutions, ensuring that future generations were indoctrinated under Church authority. Meanwhile, press and speech were strictly controlled, with Catholic doctrine imposed through state censorship.
Franco was not an exception—he was one of many dictators supported by the RCC. Benito Mussolini, who ruled Italy from 1922 to 1943, signed the Lateran Treaty in 1929, granting the Vatican sovereignty and immense wealth in exchange for the Church’s endorsement of his fascist regime. Adolf Hitler, leader of Nazi Germany from 1933 to 1945, secured the Reichskonkordat in 1933, a treaty that preserved Catholic privileges in return for the Church’s political neutrality, allowing the Nazis to consolidate power without opposition from Rome. Antonio Salazar, Portugal’s authoritarian ruler from 1932 to 1968, established a Catholic dictatorship that mirrored Franco’s Spain, receiving full Vatican approval.
Each of these regimes violated human rights, suppressed freedoms, and persecuted minorities—yet they received blessings from Rome. Can the Church of Christ be complicit in such darkness?
Apostolic or Apostate? The RCC’s Greatest Contradiction
If apostolic succession were true, the RCC should reflect the character of Christ and the teachings of the apostles. Instead, it demonstrates the opposite:
Christ and the Apostles | The Roman Catholic Church |
Lived humbly, with no political power | Built a global empire of wealth and influence |
Preached freely, never selling the Gospel | Sold indulgences and sacraments |
Taught that salvation is by grace through faith | Declared salvation dependent on Church sacraments |
Persecuted by the world’s rulers | Aligned with kings, dictators, and fascist regimes |
Gave the Word of God to all | Restricted Scripture, punishing translators |
A Church of Man, Not of God
True worship is defined by complete submission to God and His Word alone, yet in the Roman Catholic Church, devotion is not directed solely to Christ—it is mediated through an institution that demands absolute allegiance to men, not God. The defining characteristic of false worship throughout history has been the exaltation of human authority above divine revelation, a pattern that began in Eden when Satan first tempted mankind to question and redefine God’s Word (Genesis 3:1-5). This deception has since evolved into a structured religious and political system that claims divine power while directly opposing the very God it pretends to serve.
God’s Word establishes a direct relationship between believers and Christ, with no intermediary but Jesus Himself:
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5)
“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)
Yet the RCC has erected an entire system that replaces direct access to God with human mediators: priests, popes, saints, and sacraments. Instead of pointing people to Christ as the sole means of salvation, it demands submission to Church authority as the only path to God, effectively making the institution itself an object of worship. This is not merely error—it is the very structure of idolatry, where devotion that belongs to God is redirected to men.
This aligns exactly with Satan’s ultimate goal as revealed in Scripture:
He desires to be worshipped (Isaiah 14:12-14, Matthew 4:9).
He works through deception, appearing as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).
He empowers earthly systems that elevate men above God (Revelation 13:2,7).
If Satan’s primary strategy is to divert worship away from God, then the greatest deception would not be to create an openly evil system, but rather to establish a counterfeit version of Christ’s church—one that uses His name while teaching doctrines that directly oppose Him.
The Role of Indoctrination
One of the most powerful tools of deception is indoctrination from an early age. The RCC ensures that children never critically examine its doctrines, but instead accept them blindly as absolute truth. From the moment they can speak, Catholic children are taught to revere the Church, obey its teachings without question, and fear leaving it.
Infants are baptized into the system before they can make a conscious decision.
Catechism classes drill into their minds that salvation comes through the Church, not Christ alone.
They are taught to pray to Mary and the saints, violating God’s command against idolatry.
They are conditioned to believe that questioning Church doctrine is sinful, discouraging independent study of Scripture.
The concept of “excommunication” and eternal damnation for leaving the Church instills deep psychological fear, trapping them within the system for life.
This process programs the mind to equate Catholicism with Christianity itself, so that when confronted with clear biblical proof that the RCC contradicts Scripture, they reject the truth out of sheer conditioning. This is why so many Catholics defend the institution blindly, even when presented with undeniable evidence that it is not of Christ.
Anyone who objectively examines the facts with a free and unindoctrinated mind can see the proof: the Roman Catholic Church is not Christ’s Church. It is a religious and political empire that has corrupted the Gospel, rewritten God’s laws, and exalted men above God.
The Papacy and the Scriptural Definition of the "Man of Sin"
Paul warned of a great apostasy that would occur within the Church itself, resulting in the rise of a system that exalts human authority above God:
“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)
The papal system fits this prophecy perfectly. The pope, as head of the RCC, is referred to as the "Holy Father," a title belonging to God alone (Matthew 23:9). Catholic doctrine teaches that his word carries divine authority, even above Scripture, and that he holds the keys to heaven and hell, determining who is granted salvation.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 882) states:
"The Pope, Bishop of Rome and Peter’s successor, is the perpetual and visible source and foundation of the unity both of the bishops and of the whole company of the faithful. For the Roman Pontiff, by reason of his office as Vicar of Christ, and as pastor of the entire Church has full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can always exercise unhindered."
This is the very definition of what Paul described: a man sitting in the temple of God, exalting himself as if he were God.
What is happening in the Roman Catholic Church is not the worship of Christ—it is the worship of a religious system empowered by Baal (Satan, meaning adversary). Those who submit to it are not following Christ, but men who have exalted themselves in defiance of God’s authority.
Because Catholic indoctrination begins in early childhood, many cannot see the truth, no matter how much evidence is presented. They have been trained to defend the institution above all else, even when the Bible itself proves it false. They worship men because they have been told they are worshiping Christ, even though Christ Himself said, "In vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." (Matthew 15:9).
To remain within a system that denies Scripture, enforces false doctrines, exalts men above God, and rewrites God’s eternal covenant is to participate in its rebellion against the Most High. True worship belongs to God alone, and any system that diverts that worship—whether through forced obedience, counterfeit doctrine, or exaltation of human authority—is the synagogue of Satan, masquerading as the Church of Christ.
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