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.
Priests have the power to forgive sins and celebrate the Eucharist. They also have the power to preach the Word. A priest's written words will not likely be formed into a future Bible. Nor do priests witness to the resurrected Christ in His glorified manifestation. But the fact remains that God intends His Church to last for all time, thus, He has given it the CONTINUED power to bind and loose, to forgive sins, and to preach and teach the Word. This is all common sense. If Christ desires a Church to operate only for one generation, your argument makes sense. But Christ HIMSELF said the Church would last for all time against the gates of hell.
The gentile world sought after knowledge, hence the end of signs and wonders.
Signs still continue to this very day, brother. The Acts of the Apostles has Gentiles witness to these miracles, as well.
Peter, whom you claim as the first "pope" was not even sent to the Gentiles, Paul was.
Peter was the first to go to the Gentiles! Have you forgotten Cornelius? Your verse from Galatians does not mean that Peter went ONLY to the Jews. That was his primary mission as of Galatians. But what about after it? What about when Peter went to the Diaspora and saw Gentiles? Does that mean he wasn't allowed to talk about Christ to them? I don't interpret that verse as you do.
Regards