What does the term apostolic mean in the Church's four marks?

• A. Continuity of teaching and leadership from the apostles through the bishops
• B. The church was founded by Peter alone
• C. Only bishops have authority
• D. Apostolic means ancient

Answer: (A)

Apostolic means that the Church preserves its teaching and authority by a continuous line from the original apostles through their successors, the bishops. This apostolic succession guarantees that what is taught today is the same gospel entrusted to the apostles, handed on faithfully, and guarded in governance by those who inherit their authority. So the emphasis is on both doctrine and leadership passing down through the generations in union with the bishops.

This fits best because it highlights how the Church remains one in its message and organized authority across time, not just because it is ancient or because one founder existed. The other ideas miss this sense of ongoing transmission: the Church wasn’t founded by Peter alone, nor is authority limited only to bishops, and apostolic does not merely mean “old.”