Final answer:
Christ gave His authority to the apostles who were integral in spreading Christianity. This apostolic authority is believed to be passed on through the bishops in the tradition of apostolic succession within the Roman Catholic Church.
Step-by-step explanation:
Christ gave His authority to teach, govern, and sanctify to the apostles. This is demonstrated in the New Testament and the structure of the early Christian church. Jesus's apostles, referred to as "those sent by Christ" to spread his teachings outside the Holy Land, were the initial recipients of Christ's authority and mission. They led the early Christian communities and were integral in spreading Christianity.
Over time, this apostolic authority was understood to be passed on through successive generations of church leadership. For instance, the bishops, who were leaders of the Christian communities in various cities, were seen as successors to the apostles in terms of spiritual authority. This is especially true within the Roman Catholic tradition, where the concept of apostolic succession is a fundamental aspect of ecclesial structure.