The Succession of the Church of God, Personal Succession

From the Latin word succedo, that is, to go under, or to take the place of another, comes the word succession, which we, though improperly, have mixed into our Dutch language. The various branches that grow from this root, that is, the many words that take their origin from it, together with their meanings, we leave untouched. In general we understand by it: to follow someone in his place, right, or reign.

There is a twofold succession: natural and spiritual, political and ecclesiastical, or civil and ecclesiastical. But here we have to speak only of the spiritual and ecclesiastical, and not of the natural, political, or civil succession; for only the former, and by no means the latter, belongs here.*

Now, as succession is of a twofold nature and kind, so each kind is itself twofold and distinct. This will be shown plainly in the spiritual and ecclesiastical succession.

To present this in a clear light, we say that the ecclesiastical succession may be considered in two ways: first, with respect to the succession of persons; second, with respect to the succession of doctrine. [n29-1] But we intend to speak here only of a spiritual succession, and, moreover, of one that is good. This we shall consider with regard to good persons as well as to good doctrine.

The latter is a sign and evidence of the former, so that the former cannot stand without the latter. Where the latter is, the former need not be looked for so carefully. But where both are found in truth and reality, there is no doubt that there is also the true and genuine church of God, in which God will dwell and walk; which has the promise of an eternal and blissful life; and about which the holy Scriptures glory and teach so much.