u/Common_Judge8434

Disclaimer: I, as a Catholic, hold to Apostolic Succession.

The use of Matthias as a case study for apostolic succession, while good at the surface level, collapses under scrutiny.

1. Matthias was appointed as a replacement for Judas. The criteria for Matthias's appointment were limited. "So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.” (Acts 1:21-22)
2. Luke does not present this as a normal process when one of the Apostles die. The death of James bar Zebedee mentions no nomination process, only the prayers of the Church after the subsequent apprehension of Peter.

Better cases biblically for Apostolic Succession remain Timothy and Titus, particularly the former. We hear explicitly that Paul laid hands on him (2 Tim. 1:6), and that he was not to be hasty in laying hands on others (1 Tim. 5:22). Both letters include criteria for ordaining presbyters/overseers (1 Tim. 3; Titus 1) and deacons (1 Tim. 3).

We often here that we are saved by the grace of God and not what we do. However, what does being saved by grace actually look like?

Jesus tells a story of a master and three servants. One gsts five talents, another two, and another one.

The first two servants multiply their talents, and the last servant buries it.

Two of the servants get rewarded when the master returns, but what happens to the third servant?

Matthew 25:24-30 RSVCI

[24] He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not winnow; [25] so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ [26] But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sowed, and gather where I have not winnowed? [27] Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. [28] So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents. [29] For to every one who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. [30] And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.’

Pay attention to the second to last line. More will be given to the one who has, but one who has nothing will have the little he has taken away from him. Servants to the King aren't exempt from this.

In fact, we are told constantly that our response to grace matters.

2 Corinthians 6:1-2 RSVCI

[1] Working together with him, then, we entreat you not to accept the grace of God in vain. [2] For he says, “At the acceptable time I have listened to you, and helped you on the day of salvation.” Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Colossians 1:21-23 RSVCI

[21] And you, who once were estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, [22] he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him, [23] provided that you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which has been preached to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

Grace is something that can be received in vain, and faith is something that must be continued in.