Final answer:
Option 1: Apostolic succession refers to the belief that the authority of church leaders comes from the original apostles, with the Petrine Succession being a particular example where the pope is seen as the successor to the Apostle Peter.
Step-by-step explanation:
Apostolic succession means that churches could trace their clergy back to an apostle. This concept is rooted in the belief that the authority of the church's leaders is derived from the original apostles appointed by Christ, ensuring an unbroken line of spiritual authority. The most notable application of apostolic succession is in the Roman Catholic tradition with the Petrine Succession, where the pope is considered the spiritual successor of the Apostle Peter. This succession affirms the pope's role as the supreme head of the church, as it is believed that Peter was given the keys to heaven by Christ and that this authority has been passed down through his successors in Rome.
The Communion of the Apostles and the role of the clergy in early Christian communities highlight the importance of apostolic authority. For instance, the bishops who oversaw city congregations looked to major figures like the Archbishop of Rome for guidance, following a hierarchical structure that reflected the importance of established ecclesiastical authority derived from the apostles themselves.