APOSTOLIC encyclopedia topics

APOSTOLIC - 9 reference results

succession, apostolic: see apostolic succession.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia Copyright © 2004.
Licensed from Columbia University Press

Apostolic Churches
Search YellowPages.com for Temples, Churches, Synagogues, & Mosques.
Religion.YellowPages.com

Revelation book
Where are you going to spend eternity?
Sponsored Results www.apostolicbook.net

nuncio, apostolic, resident legate of the Holy See at the capital of a temporal government. Nuncios are in most of the principal countries of Europe and Latin America, but there are none in the United States, Great Britain, or the republics of the former Soviet Union. In some countries the nuncio is by courtesy made the "dean" of the diplomatic corps. Ministers of the second class are called apostolic internuncios.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia Copyright © 2004.
Licensed from Columbia University Press

apostolic succession

apostolic succession, in Christian theology, the doctrine asserting that the chosen successors of the apostles enjoyed through God's grace the same authority, power, and responsibility as was conferred upon the apostles by Jesus. Therefore present-day bishops, as the successors of previous bishops, going back to the apostles, have this power by virtue of this unbroken chain. For the Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Anglican churches, this link with the apostles is what guarantees for them their authority in matters of faith, morals, and the valid administration of sacraments. Essential to maintaining the apostolic succession is the right consecration of bishops. Apostolic succession is to be distinguished from the Petrine supremacy (see papacy). Protestants (other than Anglican) see the authority given to the apostles as unique, proper to them alone, and hence reject any doctrine of a succession of their power. The Protestant view of ecclesiastical authority differs accordingly. See orders, holy; church.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia Copyright © 2004.
Licensed from Columbia University Press

apostolic delegate

apostolic delegate: see legate.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia Copyright © 2004.
Licensed from Columbia University Press

Constitutions, Apostolic

Constitutions, Apostolic, late-4th-century compilation, in eight books, of administrative canons for the clergy and the laity and of guides for worship. They were supposed to be works of the apostles, but actually included the greater part of the Didascalia Apostolorum, a lost Greek treatise of 3d-century origin, most of the Didache, and fragments from Hippolytus and Papias. The work concludes with a collection of 85 moral and liturgical canons known as the "Apostolic Canons," a portion of which became part of canon law of the Western Church. The work is thought to be of Syrian origin. The whole is a valuable primary source on early church history and practice.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia Copyright © 2004.
Licensed from Columbia University Press

Catholic Apostolic Church

Catholic Apostolic Church, religious community originating in England c.1831 and extending later to Germany and the United States (1848). It was founded under the influence of Edward Irving; its members are sometimes called Irvingites. Because of their prophetic gifts, 12 apostles (including Henry Drummond) were in 1835 set aside as officers. They were expected to survive until the Second Coming of Jesus, but the last of them died in 1901. When the apostles began to die, a schism took place in Germany over the appointing of successors. This led to the formation (1863) of the New Apostolic Church, the formal name of the present-day organization. An angel, or bishop, presides over each congregation; he is assisted by pastors, teachers, and others. Symbolism and mystery of worship characterize the elaborate liturgy, which has borrowed much from the Roman Catholic Church, including devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Much emphasis is given to the Second Coming of Jesus. The membership is about 8 million worldwide (1994).

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia Copyright © 2004.
Licensed from Columbia University Press

Apostolic Constitutions

Apostolic Constitutions: see Constitutions, Apostolic.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia Copyright © 2004.
Licensed from Columbia University Press

Apostolic succession

In Christianity, the doctrine that bishops represent an uninterrupted line of descent from the Apostles of Jesus. This succession gives bishops special powers, including the right to confirm church members, ordain priests, consecrate bishops, and rule over the clergy and church members of a diocese. Clement, bishop of Rome, stated the doctrine as early as AD 95, and it is accepted by Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Old Catholic, and several other churches. Some Protestant churches maintain that succession is spiritual and doctrinal rather than ritual and historical.

Learn more about Apostolic succession with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.