[DesertRhino]

“Without Apostolic Succession, the Church would of been consumed by heretics and Gnostics running wild all over the Roman Empire “

And how are you assured you are not “consumed by heretics” when they are powerful members of a hierarchy that interacts heavily with an empire based in Rome?

[rollo tomasi]

Do you realize that several Emperors declared followers of Jesus Christ traitors? How the heck could the Bishop of Rome work within that time frame and stay alive?

Your ignorance of the “pre-Constantine” Church isn't that sharp from what you have posted. Even after Constantine, the Bishop of Rome took centuries to get to the point you are wailing at.