Apostolic Succession
Keith is currently preparing for ordination within the Anglican/Episcopal Church through the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches (CEEC), according to the tradition of apostolic succession.
Apostolic Succession is the “historic unbroken connection with Christ and His Apostles” by the ‘laying-on of hands’ - transferring Christ’s apostolic authority and ministry from Jesus Himself, through His succeeding Bishops of every proceeding generation, up until our current day. It was through this “Apostolic Succession” that the early Church maintained their ‘genuine and authentic’ membership in the one holy catholic (meaning universal, not Roman but pre-Roman) Church.
Having the covering of an ‘approved’ Bishop guarantees not just a spiritual but also an historical connection to the universal body of Christ. Independence was not something to be cherished in the early Church of Christ, but rather inter-dependence – sharing one another’s burdens. This accountability and inter-dependence is also important to us as we minister to others through Equip 4 Success.
We recognise the ‘gift’ of apostolic succession to the Church, and therefore desire to embrace this ancient tradition (not doctrine), followed by our brothers and sisters of the past. We feel safe being in submission to those who have walked ahead of us!
We are due to become members of the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches (CEEC) on 16th November 2008 on the Isle of Capri, Italy.
This will graft us into the 2000 years of history and life of the Universal Church, with full apostolic succession. It also ensures a healthy environment to nurture and guide the ministry of Equip 4 Success, and a strong relationship with ‘overseers’ to whom we are accountable.
Brief Background to the CEEC
Taken from the CEEC website and used with permission.
Communion reflects the unanimity and singularity of the Apostolic and Patristic Church, while encompassing both protestant and catholic traditions as well as embracing a multiplicity of expressions of worship and practice. In contrast to a denomination, a communion expresses the organic unity Jesus Christ originally established in His Body, the Church. Rather than emerging from divisions created by historic differences over doctrine and practice, a communion represents return to unity based on the recovery of the essential oneness of the ancient, medieval, and contemporary church.
Standing within the Celtic and Anglican traditions, the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches was created by a convergence of the great historical expressions of faith and practice: the Evangelical, Charismatic, liturgical, and sacramental traditions.
The four basic statements are:
- The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, as “containing all the things necessary for salvation” and as being the rule and ultimate standard of faith.
- The Apostle’s Creed, as the Baptismal Symbol; and the Nicene Creed, as the sufficient statement of faith.
- The two Sacraments ordained by the Christ Himself – Baptism and the Supper of the Lord – ministered with unfailing use of Christ’s words of institution, and the elements ordained by Him.
- The Historic Episcopate, locally adapted in the methods of its administration to the varying needs of the nations and peoples called of God in the Unity of His Church.
There is one body and one spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith,
one baptism and one God and Father of all,
who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Eph 4:4-6