Editing Great Paap (section)

== Succession ==

Succession is hereditary within Melchior Paap's direct line. Primogeniture establishes the first claim among descendants who have completed custodial instruction and accepted responsibility for the ''Book of Paap''. The reigning Great Paap gives this instruction to the intended heir. A descendant who does not complete it or refuses custody may be passed over.

Martinus's eldest son, [[Martin Paap (father)|Martin Paap I]], lived in Rotterdam and had not completed the instruction when Martinus became Great Paap in 1940. His younger son, [[Jan Paap]], had grown up in Martinus's household in Warendorf and received direct instruction in the book. Martinus therefore designated Jan as his intended successor.<ref name="jan-early"/>

Jan did not believe the prophecy and rejected the religious responsibility attached to the title. On 6 January 1943, he told [[Antonie Ronald Paap]] that he would not accept the succession during a confrontation at Rzhev airfield. Jan severed ties with Martinus and later left Europe in 1944.<ref name="jan-rejection"/> Martinus remained Great Paap while Martin I received the preparation required to replace Jan.

Martinus's term ended after his conviction for war crimes on 28 October 1948. Martin I succeeded him on the same day and remained Great Paap until November 2007.<ref name="martinus"/><ref name="martin-i-leadership"/> Martin Paap then inherited the title from his father. He was separately elected leader of the Paap family that November.<ref name="martin-leadership"/>