​Matthew 16:18 is key to understanding Christ’s intent to pass on the authority to lead the Church to Peter and the apostles. Christ tells Peter that he is the rock on which He will build His church. When Catholics use the term apostolic succession, they are referring to the line of bishops that stretches all the way back to the apostles—to Peter—the first Pope. Apostolic tradition (the authentic teaching of the apostles) was handed from Christ to the apostles, and from them to their successors. This unbroken line of popes (the bishops of Rome) and all other bishops have guided the Church for the past 2,000 years, just as Christ intended (Matthew 28:19-20). Christ sent His apostles out into the world with authority to teach and heal (Luke 9:1-2) and to forgive sins (John 20:23). This God-given authority is exercised by the bishops within the Catholic Church to this day.

​Because the Catholic Church is the only church today that can claim to be the one church founded by Jesus Christ 2,000 years ago. Other denominations can trace their origins back to various human founders at a later date in history.  

Jesus Christ founded only one Church, establishing it on St. Peter, making the Catholic Church its direct, unbroken continuation through apostolic succession, with the Pope as Peter's successor, preserving the original faith, sacraments, and structure from the Apostles through history.  
 
Core Beliefs Supporting This Claim:  

• Divine Foundation:  

Jesus himself established the Church on Earth as a single, visible, and spiritual community, intending it to be the means for salvation.  

• Apostolic Succession:  

The Catholic Church claims unbroken lineage from the Apostles, who were appointed by Christ, through bishops who succeed them, ensuring continuity of teaching and authority.  

• Primacy of Peter:  

Jesus designated Peter as the "rock" upon which His Church would be built, giving him unique authority (the keys to the kingdom), a role the Pope continues as Peter's successor.  

• One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic:  

The Church professes these "Marks" from the Nicene Creed, believing these qualities originate from God and are fully present only in the Catholic Church.  

• Fullness of Truth & Sacraments:  

Catholics believe the Church retains all the elements Christ instituted, including the seven sacraments and the true deposit of faith, necessary for salvation, which other churches may lack or hold imperfectly.