In part this position was also necessary, as otherwise there would have been no means to elicit or initiate reform of the church. In the 20th century, there has been more contact between Protestants and Christians from Eastern traditions which claim apostolic succession for their ministry. Like the Roman Catholic Church, these ancient Eastern churches may use the doctrine of apostolic succession in ministry in their apologetics against some forms of Protestantism. Some Protestants feel that such claims of apostolic succession are proven false by the differences in traditions and doctrines between these churches: Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox consider both the Church of the East and the Oriental Orthodox churches to be heretical, having been anathematized in the early ecumenical councils of Ephesus (431) and Chalcedon (451) respectively. Churches that claim apostolic succession in ministry distinguish this from doctrinal orthodoxy, holding that "it is possible to have valid orders coming down from the apostles, and yet not to have a continuous spiritual history coming down from the apostles". All Christians who have a genuine relationship with God through and in Christ are part of the "true Church", according to exemplary statements of evangelical Protestant theology, notwithstanding condemnation of the Catholic Church by some Protestants. According to these statements, claims that one or more denominations might be the "true Church" are nothing more than propaganda which has evolved over centuries to support authoritarian claims – based on tradition or based on scripture – of merely human institutions. Such claims can be found among the worldwide community of Christians. Yet all appear to treasure the truth that liberates, and Jesus taught his followers to love one another. See also Baptist successionism Episcopi vagantes List of bishops New Apostolic Church Pope Linus Valid but illicit References Further reading External links Against Heresies, Online-text, Irenaeus, Against Heresies Apostolicity in the Catholic Encyclopedia Discussion of the Papacy by Scott Hahn "Was Wesley Ordained By Bishop Erasmus?" The Methodist Quarterly Review (1878) Methodist/Anglican Thoughts On Apostolic Succession by The Reverend Dr. Gregory S. Neal Christian terminology Ecclesiology Episcopacy in Anglicanism Episcopacy in the Catholic Church Episcopacy in Eastern Orthodoxy Succession