My full statement was: “He started with 12 and then more via the commission and it grew from there.” I believe that cover Stephen and others that followed.
They were privileged because from the beginning of time God had chosen them to fulfill His plan. Nobody was picked just because of status, education, or wealth.
Interpretations may differ but if the message does not reconcile with the Bible you are more than likely wrong, that is also one reason God wants His people to read the Bible and through faith interpret His Word and not depend on what interpretation is handed down to them.
By that you may and will have differences and why you have Catholics, Lutheran, Baptists, Eastern Orthodox, and others. As long as you follow the Word it really does not matter what denomination you are as long as you believe, believe His Word is perfect, and follow. I merely oppose the idea of the Catholic Church claiming to be the “original church” to raise their status, to have written the Bible, and forward the idea they are above other Christian sects and somehow are more holy than others and others are heretics. That is not true on all counts.
That's worked out well, some 20,000 sects later. Do you really think that God, Who is perfect, would demand a system of interpretation that results in this? Or would God, Who is perfect, provide a Rock of authority that would protect His children from what looks like the aftermath of a forty-car pileup? The argument that through faith alone we would interpret His word evidences an impotent Holy Spirit, given the lack of unity among those who decide for themselves based only on "Faith". I know you don't believe the Holy Spirit is impotent, therefore only one interpretation can be correct, do you agree? So if there can only be ONE Truth if it comes from the Holy Spirit. Which one is it?