Can a church trace its authority all the way back to the apostles? And does that determine whether it's the "true church"?

In this episode of Ask Dr. E, Dr. Michael Easley answers a thoughtful question about apostolic succession and whether the Bible teaches that church authority is passed through an unbroken line of leaders. Along the way, he explains Matthew 16, Peter's role in the early church, the qualifications of apostles and elders, and why Scripture must remain the Christian's ultimate authority.

If you've ever wondered about Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Protestantism, or what makes a church biblically faithful, this episode provides a gracious, Scripture-centered perspective.

Chapters
00:00 — The question: What is apostolic succession?
01:30 — Peter, Matthew 16, and the foundation of the church
05:10 — Do the apostles establish a line of successors?
06:45 — The biblical qualifications of an apostle
08:15 — Elders, overseers, and church leadership
10:35 — Why churches must teach biblical ecclesiology
14:00 — Tradition, beauty, and the appeal of historic churches
17:20 — Scripture's sufficiency over church tradition
19:30 — Final encouragement

Key Topics Covered
• Apostolic succession explained
• Matthew 16 and Peter
• Biblical church leadership
• Elders vs. apostles
• The sufficiency of Scripture
• Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant perspectives
• Salvation and the universal church

If you've got a question for Dr. Easley, call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at question@michaelincontext.com.