Rozwój doktryny o sukcesji apostolskiej w pierwszych wiekach Kościoła

The article refers to the development of theological reflection on the apostolic succession in the First Century Church. It starts with the New Testament teaching on the successors of the apostles, then the teaching of Saint Clement of Rome, Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Saint Irenaeus and Tertullian is presented. Finally, the teaching of the Apostolic Tradition attributed to Saint Hippolytus of Rome is shown. It might be said, therefore, that the beginning of the teaching on the apostolic succession refers to the apostolicity of the local Churches among which the most important were those founded by the Apostles themselves, and the Church of Rome. They were the source of the apostolic faith for another local churches. The ceaseless succession of bishops dated back to the Apostles was the important factor in retaining the apostolic faith in the local Churches.What confirmed the Church in being in the apostolic teaching was the communion with other Churches, retained due to the communion of their bishops who form a college similar to the College of Apostles.