If I've learned anything from these discussions it's that the RCC and the EO believe 90% of the Bible was written to a few dozen people rather than to all the family of God. It's been eye-opening, to say the least.
If He addressed anyone in particular with such a request, it was never a crowd, but a specific individual. "Follow me" He would say to the person in question.
That opinion contradicts the words of Christ who tells us whom He came to gather...
"I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. " -- Matthew 15:24
And whom He prays for...
"Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word" -- Matthew 17:20
Dr. E: That opinion contradicts the words of Christ who tells us whom He came to gather..."I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. " -- Matthew 15:24...And whom He prays for..."Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word" -- Matthew 17:20
What your random verse generator produced has nothing to do with passing of the authority to all believers. The Church had its elected elders from the beginning. Not every Tom, Dick and Harriette who can read was commissioned to preach and teach.
For people who hang on to every word in the Bible, a lot of Reformed seem to be missing the key words in it.
The Great Commission (in both Matthew's and Mark's accounts) was given to the eleven apostles only.
That commission was then given to select others by their choice in succession until the present day.
That's why Protestant "clergy" have no apostolic authority, and that's why their "churches" are not churches.
Your life witnesses, without words.