I didn't say they were THE ORIGINAL Apostles! Whew! I said they were given the same power to forgive sins and to preach the Word so that men of all time have access to receiving God's healing touch and the power of the Word. Do you really think that God was only concerned for mankind from 33 AD until the death of the last of the 12 Apostles about 100 AD? That makes absolutely no sense. Christ's command AND power was given as gifts to the Church for ALL time.
Mark 16:20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
I have read about a number of priests whom God has worked through miraculously. Padre Pio strikes me as one very powerful man whom God worked through.
Regards
If you are claiming that priests have the same powers as the apostles, I suggest that you go to justbible.com and search for the word signs.
Priests today DO NOT have any of the signs of the apostles.
Secondly, the signs were given by God to the Jews only. The JEWS knew to look for signs.
The gentile world sought after knowledge, hence the end of signs and wonders.
Peter, whom you claim as the first "pope" was not even sent to the Gentiles, Paul was.
Galatians 2:9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
All men are instructed to preach the word of God. And only God can forgive your sins and mine.
Trinitarian faith in the living Christ is so much simpler than you imagine.