What does Scripture say about apostolic succession and bishops?

²¹ Jesus therefore said to them again, “Peace be to you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.”

¹⁶ Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me. Whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

¹⁸ Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

¹⁹ So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God, ²⁰ being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone;

¹⁵ In these days, Peter stood up in the middle of the disciples (and the number of names was about one hundred twenty), and said, ¹⁶ “Brothers, it was necessary that this Scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to those who took Jesus. ¹⁷ For he was counted with us, and received his portion in this ministry. ¹⁸ Now this man obtained a field with the reward for his wickedness; and falling headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines gushed out. ¹⁹ It became known to everyone who lived in Jerusalem that in their language that field was called ‘Akeldama,’ that is, ‘The field of blood.’ ²⁰ For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘Let his habitation be made desolate. Let no one dwell in it;’ and, ‘Let another take his office.’ ²¹ “Of the men therefore who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, ²² beginning from the baptism of John to the day that he was received up from us, of these one must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” ²³ They put forward two: Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. ²⁴ They prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two you have chosen ²⁵ to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas fell away, that he might go to his own place.” ²⁶ They drew lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was counted with the eleven apostles.

¹ Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service. ² The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables. ³ Therefore, select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. ⁴ But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word.” ⁵ These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch, ⁶ whom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

²³ When they had appointed elders for them in every assembly, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord on whom they had believed.

¹⁴ Don’t neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the elders.

²² Lay hands hastily on no one. Don’t be a participant in other people’s sins. Keep yourself pure.

⁶ For this cause, I remind you that you should stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

² The things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the same things to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

⁵ I left you in Crete for this reason, that you would set in order the things that were lacking and appoint elders in every city, as I directed you— ⁶ if anyone is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, who are not accused of loose or unruly behavior. ⁷ For the overseer must be blameless, as God’s steward, not self-pleasing, not easily angered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain; ⁸ but given to hospitality, a lover of good, sober minded, fair, holy, self-controlled, ⁹ holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict those who contradict him.

¹ This is a faithful saying: someone who seeks to be an overseer desires a good work. ² The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching; ³ not a drinker, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; ⁴ one who rules his own house well, having children in subjection with all reverence; ⁵ (for how could someone who doesn’t know how to rule his own house take care of God’s assembly?) ⁶ not a new convert, lest being puffed up he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. ⁷ Moreover he must have good testimony from those who are outside, to avoid falling into reproach and the snare of the devil. ⁸ Servants, in the same way, must be reverent, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for money, ⁹ holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. ¹⁰ Let them also first be tested; then let them serve if they are blameless. ¹¹ Their wives in the same way must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, and faithful in all things. ¹² Let servants be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. ¹³ For those who have served well gain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

¹³ Hold the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ That good thing which was committed to you, guard through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

¹⁷ From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to himself the elders of the assembly.

²⁸ Take heed, therefore, to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of the Lord and God which he purchased with his own blood.

⁵ I left you in Crete for this reason, that you would set in order the things that were lacking and appoint elders in every city, as I directed you— ⁶ if anyone is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, who are not accused of loose or unruly behavior. ⁷ For the overseer must be blameless, as God’s steward, not self-pleasing, not easily angered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain;

¹ Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and servants:

¹ Therefore I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and who will also share in the glory that will be revealed: ² shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily; not for dishonest gain, but willingly; ³ not as lording it over those entrusted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock. ⁴ When the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the crown of glory that doesn’t fade away.