<P> WELS Lutheran apologists state that there are a number of major problems with the Roman Catholic view on apostolic succession: </P> <Ul> <Li> There is no evidence the popes have historic succession to Peter other than their own claim that it is so . </Li> <Li> The bishops claiming succession have not preserved apostolic doctrine, therefore they have no meaningful apostolic succession . </Li> <Li> There is no evidence that the apostles were ordained by laying on of hands when they entered their office . </Li> <Li> There is no evidence in Scripture that the office must be conveyed by laying on of hands and no command that it must be by a special class of bishops . </Li> <Li> Acts 1 actually proves the opposite of what the Catholic Church claims; it proves there cannot be "apostolic successors" today because Judas' replacement had to be an eyewitness of Jesus' ministry . </Li> </Ul> <Li> There is no evidence the popes have historic succession to Peter other than their own claim that it is so . </Li> <Li> The bishops claiming succession have not preserved apostolic doctrine, therefore they have no meaningful apostolic succession . </Li>

Explain the connection between the twelve apostles and the bishops