Editing Openai/691a45a6-8ed0-8010-a7d9-24657a41a9aa (section)

=== 3. Jacob Escalates: “Continuity doesn’t equal preserved authority” ===

This is Jacob’s sharpest offensive move.

Jacob:
“You keep assuming continuity equals authority continuity. That’s the very premise in question. Presence of bishops does not prove they kept divine authority. Authority is theological, not merely institutional. The Jewish Sanhedrin continued uninterrupted too—yet Christians believe they lacked the authority Jesus gave His apostles.”

This is clever because it reframes the debate:

• Continuity is neutral.
• Authority is metaphysical.
• The question is which group inherited Christ’s authority—not which group had the most stable bureaucracy.

He might compare:

• Old Testament priesthood that becomes invalid after Christ.
• Samaritan temple continuity that Jews rejected.
• Post-apostolic Christian groups that claimed legitimacy but were rejected by later councils.

Strategic goal:
Make Catholics prove metaphysical continuity, not just organizational continuity.