Consuming the Word 6: The Church of the New Testament

This chapter, which speaks on the importance of apostolic succession and tradition, can best be summed up in this concluding sentence: "From Clement through Eusebius, from Basil through Leo, the Fathers of the early Church knew - and not only knew, but took for granted - that every written word of the New Testament presupposed the enactment of the liturgy of the New Testament in the Church of the New Testament (56)."

For Christ did not establish a school of scribes before he ascended to heaven.  Instead, it is clear that he founded a Eucharistic community, built upon the Apostles, who were sent out to proclaim the Gospel to all nations.