Protestants do reject the authority of men over them. Instead, we praise the authority of Jesus Christ over us, as given to us (and to you) in Scripture, anchored solidly by the Holy Spirit.
No king but Christ.
"And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes." -- Mark 1:22
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." -- Acts 4:12
And there was a certain man in Caesarea, named Cornelius, a centurion of that which is called the Italian band; A religious man, and fearing God with all his house, giving much alms to the people, and always praying to God. This man saw in a vision manifestly, about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in unto him, and saying to him: Cornelius. And he, beholding him, being seized with fear, said: What is it, Lord? And he said to him: Thy prayers and thy alms are ascended for a memorial in the sight of God. And now send men to Joppe, and call hither one Simon, who is surnamed Peter:
*Let's pause for a minute. An Angel of God was sent to Cornelius in answer to his prayers. Did he tell Cornelius to "Read the Bible?" No. He tells him to go to Peter, the First Pope. That alone destroys any idea of sola scriptura. let's continue...
He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side. He will tell thee what thou must do.
*Let's pause another minute. HE will tell you what to do. Not the Bible. The Pope. A Living authority. Lets continue....
Then Peter, going down to the men, said: Behold, I am he whom you seek; what is the cause for which you are come? Who said: Cornelius, a centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and having good testimony from all the nation of the Jews, received an answer of an holy angel, to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.
*Let's pause a minute. An Angel, sent from God, told Cornelius not to "read the Bible" but to go and receive an answer from the First Pope, Peter. Let's continue....
And Cornelius said: Four days ago, unto this hour, I was praying in my house, at the ninth hour, and behold a man stood before me in white apparel, and said: Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thy alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. Send therefore to Joppe, and call hither Simon, who is surnamed Peter: he lodgeth in the house of Simon a tanner, by the sea side. Immediately therefore I sent to thee: and thou hast done well in coming. Now therefore all we are present in thy sight, to hear all things whatsoever are commanded thee by the Lord.
*Let's pause a minute. They all assembled before the first Pope, Peter to be taught authoritatively by him. They did not read the Bible and decide for themselves. Acts is a total repudiation of sola scriptura (and not just in this little section I am highlighting) Let's continue...
.. While Peter was yet speaking these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them that heard the word. And the faithful of the circumcision, who came with Peter, were astonished, for that the grace of the Holy Ghost was poured out upon the Gentiles also.
*Hearing and believing the authoritative teaching of Peter was an occasion of them receiving the Holy Ghost poured out upon them. Not from reading the Bible but from hearing and believing the authoritative Pope. It is almost as if God was sending them a sign that hearing and believing Peter was sanctioned by God Himself :)
For they heard them speaking with tongues, and magnifying God. Then Peter answered: Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Ghost, as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then they desired him to tarry with them some days.
*Well, so much for the equality of all believers reading the scriptures and deciding for themselves. Peter, the Pope, COMMANDED. How could he do that is he had no authority?
Sola Scriptura is disproved Solely by Scripture