This notion grew within the Church as chiliastic and apocalyptic Christianity faded away.
"Christian Mysticism"
William Ralph Inge
A.D. 95, shows the effects of the Palestinian importation extending down from generation to generation, first in the long chiliastic controversy against the Doketic Gnostics, including Montanist 'prophecy'; secondly, in the growth of a claim to apostolic succession from John.
"The Making of the New Testament"
Benjamin W. Bacon