Are Protestant Churches Valid? Examining Apostolic Succession
Gavin Ortlund
32.04
17 December 2025
23 December 2025
Gavin Ortlund examines whether Protestant churches—and their Eucharist—are truly valid by critically assessing apostolic succession through biblical, historical, and theological lenses.
Videos Mentioned:
Why Protestant Is More Catholic: https://youtu.be/3yc-U1BazII?si=7A3G8ybf64ycFfMC
Does Jerome Undermine Apostolic Succession?: https://youtu.be/p852Zm_hfwg?si=0izkgUM15_EYAxAA
How Many Sacraments Are There? 2, NOT 7!: https://youtu.be/l4ePRXGVu9Y?si=V8hSgVb3TchsEAYp
William Tyndale's Death is NOT What You've Been Told: https://youtu.be/2DetuTE_XCo?si=eDbIbtXa6wVkucuw
Truth Unites (https://truthunites.org) exists to promote gospel assurance through theological depth.
Gavin Ortlund (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is President of Truth Unites, Visiting Professor of Historical Theology at Phoenix Seminary, and Theologian-in-Residence at Immanuel Nashville.
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00:00 - Introduction
00:40 - Case Study
02:30 - Framing the Question
06:04 - Defining Apostolic Succession
10:02 - Historical Evidence
24:37 - Theological Appeal
