The apostles passed their authority to others by ordaining others to be deacons, priests, and bishops.

The apostles passed their authority to others by ordaining others to be deacons, priests, and bishops.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not specified
• D. Somewhat

Answer: (B)

The key idea is how authority was passed on in the early church. In the New Testament, the pattern is that the apostles designated others to serve in leadership roles, primarily through the laying on of hands. Acts shows deacons being chosen (the seven appointed to serve in Jerusalem), and in multiple passages the apostles or local communities appoint elders (presbyters) and oversee churches as bishops (overseers). The language and roles used in the Scriptures describe deacons and elders/bishops, with the mechanism of laying on of hands conveying authority. The office of priest as a distinct church rank isn’t described in the New Testament; the term “priest” appears in other contexts, but not as a formal church office the apostles ordain as a separate order. Because the biblical record does not present the apostles ordaining a separate “priest” office alongside deacons and bishops, the statement overreaches what the text describes. The correct takeaway is that apostolic authority was transmitted through ordination of deacons and elders/bishops, with the priestly office not clearly laid out in the New Testament.

The key idea is how authority was passed on in the early church. In the New Testament, the pattern is that the apostles designated others to serve in leadership roles, primarily through the laying on of hands. Acts shows deacons being chosen (the seven appointed to serve in Jerusalem), and in multiple passages the apostles or local communities appoint elders (presbyters) and oversee churches as bishops (overseers). The language and roles used in the Scriptures describe deacons and elders/bishops, with the mechanism of laying on of hands conveying authority. The office of priest as a distinct church rank isn’t described in the New Testament; the term “priest” appears in other contexts, but not as a formal church office the apostles ordain as a separate order. Because the biblical record does not present the apostles ordaining a separate “priest” office alongside deacons and bishops, the statement overreaches what the text describes. The correct takeaway is that apostolic authority was transmitted through ordination of deacons and elders/bishops, with the priestly office not clearly laid out in the New Testament.