“So the Apostles were “temps”? “
I don’t mean to be perjorative. I suppose they were temps in one sense of the word. You could call Moses a “temp,” in that case, too. The only way I can listen to Moses today is to read what he wrote. Ultimately, though, it was what God wrote, as it was inspired. Similarly with the apostles.
This is exactly right--an Apostolic faith is ultimately a biblical faith--as understood by the Church broadly through time...
This idea, that the bible must be interpreted as a body (not sitting alone in your room...)--is what prevents (more) schism, and also the reason behind the great Protestant confessions.
I really don't understand why the E. Orthodox and Roman Churches are not wary of the extra-biblical deposits of tradition that can (and do...very much so) acrue over time, when a human authority-on-earth is given the full and final authority over and above God's Word.
In fear of subjective interpretation by the individual, they trade a subjective interpretation by a group.