Catholics are in continuity with the Church of Jesus and the Apostles, while Protestants are not.

I will not argue that the apostles were founders of the Christian church, they walked with Jesus and he gave them instructions to carry on after is ascension. I am surprised that you have not made the argument as many Catholics claiming that the Roman Catholic church is the one true church and that is the one church Jesus was referring to when he said he would be back for his church. The Christian church is the Roman Catholic Church, so is this continuity also with the Eastern Orthodox? Most Popes during the early days after the separation did not think so. Pope Urban II did not think so and he jumped into war with the Seljuk Turks in an effort to reunite them. That was of course the first Crusade, in that crusade the Christians slaughtered many people, even innocent people many were Christian and others were Jewish. That does not sound divinely inspired or in continuity with the apostles. If you choose to show succession wouldn't all protestants be a succession to the original protestant Martin Luther who was a Catholic priest who studied under other priests. By your own definition Martin Luther was a successor to the apostles then those under him must have been successors to the apostles as well. However the Catholics considered and possibly still consider Luther a heretic. He offered to recant everything if they could prove him wrong with the scripture, they declined to attempt that and continued with the trial. I know what many Catholics claim, however claims do not equal reality. So claim as much as you or they wish and that does not change the facts. The fact is that God has no favorites and shows no preference. The man Catholics claim as the first Pope realized that. When the Bible refers to the church he is referring to his people. God the father and Jesus have no denomination, so they are neither Catholic or Protestant. Acts 10 34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. Peter also showed his Christ Like virtues by showing no favoritism to Jews over Gentiles 44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we I have never heard of the Prescription against the heretics however from your own quote it says "From this, therefore, do we draw up our rule. Since the Lord Jesus Christ sent the apostles to preach, (our rule is) that no others ought to be received as preachers than those whom Christ appointed . ." So is it your claim that appointees made by successors even today carries the same weight as Jesus personally appointing them? The authority of the apostles was as church leaders much like today's leaders. However they far from have the same authority as Christ had, he never relinquished such authority. Granted he is not walking on earth or with us physically, however his word and spirit is here to guide us. His spirit that draws people into service is what determines whom Christ appoints not anyone who claims direct succession to the apostles. Of those who claim such a drawing many are found to be false preachers many are great men of God. Whether or not they were truly called of God to be leaders is between them and God and we should not follow anyone merely due to their claim of succession. Jesus said we are known by our fruits, therefore if we have personal relationship with God we will not follow anyone else and we will sit under the ministry of someone appointed by Jesus, not someone self appointed or appointed by man. In conclusion the Church of Jesus is all of his people. Each person is judged individually not by nation or denomination. The extent of Continuity with Jesus and the Apostles is determined for each individual person not by Catholic or Protestant. Otherwise then Peter was wrong when he said God is no respecter of persons. The Catholic Church claim to be the one true church and direct successors to the apostles therefore the only legitimate leaders of the Church of Jesus is arrogant and scripturally unsound.