First stage

Apostolic Commission

On the evening of the first Easter Day, Jesus gave to his Apostles what is called their Apostolic Commission.  In other words, he gave them his own authority (right and power) to act on his behalf and to be his personal representatives.  “As the Father has sent me”, he told them, “so I send you” (NRSV, John 20:21).  He appointed them to govern the Church and to be Guardians of the Christian Faith and Sacraments.  “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…and teaching them…” (NRSV, Matthew 28:19,20).

Forgiveness of sins and celebration of the Eucharist

Most important of all, as Jesus is the Great High Priest, so he gave the Apostles his special authority to act for him as his high priestly representative in two particular ways.  It was as the Great High Priest that Jesus on the Cross offered himself as a Sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins.  Therefore, first of all, he gave the Apostles the authority to celebrate the Eucharist – “Do this in remembrance of me” – because in the Eucharist he continues to offer himself, and is offered by us, to God.  And secondly, he gave them the authority to act for him in forgiving sins.  “Receive the Holy Spirit.  If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them: if you retain (do not forgive) the sins of any, they are retained” (NRSV, John 20:23).  In other words, Jesus appointed the Apostles to act for him as High Priest by entrusting to them the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) (Luke 22:19; I Corinthians 11:24,25).

And so, on and after the first Pentecost (Whitsunday), we see the Apostles, the Governors of the Church and the Guardians of her Faith and Sacraments, looking after the Christians in Jerusalem, teaching them the Faith and administering to them the Sacraments by the authority of Jesus himself.