Apostolic Succession

[Peter_Jeremiah]

I have a dear friend of mine who I feel would be an asset to the Kingdom of God...if only he were Catholic. Presently, he is a protestant who is giving much of his energy to studying why Catholicism is a false religion, but I think I have found a crack in his theology I wish to exploit, and that is the doctrine of apostolic succession.

Instead of overwhelming this man with facts and figures I want to try and overcome his objections to the faith using logic and reason, which seems to be the only way I will be able to deal with him - on an intellectual level instead of a preaching/teaching method.

What are some questions, or how can I construct some questions, that will have my friend doubting his present belief that apostolic succession was Calixtus' effort to retain control of the Roman empire during its collapse, and how can I get him to doubt his present position without coming across as being arrogant or accusatory that his present belief is false and misinformed?

Thanks!

[Theoketos]

I am still working on a fuller answer to your question. But I woke up with St. Bellarmine on my brain. And I would ask your friend how his interpretation of the Council and the Pope squares with St. Bellarmine's intervention on that council.