Matthew 16:18 18 "I for my part declare to you, you are ‘rock,’ and on this rock I will build my church and the jaws of death shall not prevail against it. 19 I will entrust to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.  Whatever you declare bound on earth shall be bound in heaven; whatever you declare loosed on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

Mark 28:18-20 Jesus came forward an addressed them in these words: "Full authority has been given to me both in heaven and on earth" go therefore, and make disciples of all the nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.’ Teach them to carry out everything I have commanded you. And know that I am with you always, until the end of the world!"

Isaiah 22:20-22 20 On that day I will summon my servant Eliakim, son of Hilkiah; 21 I will clothe him with your robe, and gird him with your sash, and give over to him your authority. He shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah. 22 I will place the key of the House of David on his shoulder; when he opens, no one shall shut, when he shuts, no one shall open.

Matthew 23:1 -3 1 Then Jesus told the crowds and his disciples: 2 "The scribes and the Pharisees have succeeded Moses as teachers; 3 therefore, do everything and observe everything they tell you. But do not follow their example.

(This passage helps us to understand the authority of the position even if the person in the "chair" is not upright himself.)

Acts 1:20 "It is written in the Book of Psalms, ‘Let his encampment be desolate. May no one dwell on it.’ and again, ‘May another take his office."

(This passage is Peter, our first Pope speaking to the apostles)

If the early Christians needed an authoritative leader, later Christians needed one even more. Jesus said that he would be will us until the end of time. Well, he obviously knew that he would die on the cross, so how can he keep this promise? Simple, remember the authority that Jesus gave to Peter. First He changed his name to Peter, which means ‘rock’.  (This is done throughout the old testament. IE Abram - which means exalted father to Abraham - which means father of a vast multitude. God changes Sarai’s name to Sarah, which means queen mother. God changes Jacobs name to Israel.)

Then He gives Peter the Keys and the power to bind and to loose. He also tells Peter in John 21:15-17 to feed his sheep and tend his lambs. What could this mean other than right here Christ is giving the care of His newly founded Church to His successor? But that isn’t enough because Peter is dead now. That is where we can really understand Apostolic succession. If Jesus said that he will be with us, and we know that He is God, then we know that he will not lie.

Therefore, we only need to look and the long list of Popes that have reigned over the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church from Pope Peter to John Paul II.

2. His power extends over every church, bishop, pastor and every one of the faithful.

3. He is the supreme judge.

4. The Pope is accountable only to God.

1. AUTHORITY

2. INFALLIBILITY

3. INDEFECTIBILITY

They are called attributes because they are qualities perfecting the nature of the Church.

1. AUTHORITY of the Catholic Church is meant that the Pope and Bishops, as the lawful successors of the Apostles, have power from Christ Himself to teach, to sanctify, and to govern the faithful in spiritual matters.  Authority is the power to command others. All authority is from God, and He gives it to the Church in spiritual matters. To refuse to obey the authority of the Church is to refuse to Obey Christ. He Himself said to His Disciples "He who hears you Hears Me; he who rejects you rejects Me." SEE Luke 10:16

2. INFALLIBILITY of the Catholic Church is meant that the Church, by special assistance of the Holy Spirit, cannot err when it teaches or believes a Doctrine of Faith or morals.   Infallibility does not mean that the Pope cannot commit a sin, but that in teaching a Doctrine of Faith or Morals, he is prevented by the Holy Spirit from making a mistake. The Church teaches Only Truth. The Church teaches infallibly when it defines, through the Pope alone, as the teacher of all Christians, or through the Pope and Bishops, a Doctrine of Faith or Morals to be held by all the faithful.

3. INDEFECTIBILITY of the Catholic Church is meant that the Church, as Christ founded it, will last until the end of time. Nations will rise and fall. False religions will come and go, but the Church will last forever.

The Catholic Church is called the Mystical Body of Christ because its members are united by supernatural bonds with one another and with Christ, their Head, thus resembling the members and head of the living human body.