Bible Verses About Apostolic Succession

And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

2 Timothy 2 is classic chain-of-entrustment text

That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.

Acts 1 ties apostleship to replacement after Judas

Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

Acts 1 requires an ordained witness to the resurrection

Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

1 Timothy 4 mentions laying on of hands of the presbytery

And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

Acts 14 shows elders appointed in every church

Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

Acts 6 shows laying on of hands for ministry appointment

Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

Tradition handed on by the apostles

Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.

Paul commends keeping delivered traditions

Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:

General apostolic choosing language, less direct than b7-b8

Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

Direct passage for holding to apostolic tradition

Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;

Direct passage for eyewitnesses and ministers handing down the word

For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:

Received and delivered wording mirrors transmission language

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Early church devotion to apostolic doctrine

Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

Shows the apostolic group before replacement decisions

And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

Lists church offices in order

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

Lists church roles given by Christ

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

Church built on apostles and prophets

This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

Office desire language, not succession

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

Bishop qualifications, not succession

Then pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

Shows apostles and elders choosing messengers together

But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Reminder of apostolic words fits transmission theme