A pretty self serving position. Especially in light of the fact that no record exists of the Apostles appointing Bishops, or more importantly putting this in Scripture. The top down hierarchy developed later.
Did you not read? The passage I quoted was written by Clement in AD 80 - during the time some of the Epistles were being written, and before John wrote anything.
1 Timothy 3:1-7
"This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a BISHOP, he desireth a good work. A BISHOP then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil."
Where do you suppose the bishops came from in the first place?
if the protestants saw such a report they'd omit it like malachi and the end of mark