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I think if you each take a look at the letters of +Ignatius of Antioch and the Letter of +Polycarp, all available on line, you'll find that the office of bishop, "episkopos" in Greek, was indeed established by the Apostles.

The distinction being they were not Apostles. I have not found in Scripture any example of Apostles appointing Bishops. I am beginning to read some of the writings of early Christians and find it fascinating.

The ecclesiology described by +Ignatius presupposes a "syndeesmos" or synergy among the hierarchs, clergy and laity wherein each has a role but all must work together.

The EO who are much closer to this model are much closer to the structure of the earliest Christian communities, IMO.

"The distinction being they were not Apostles. I have not found in Scripture any example of Apostles appointing Bishops. I am beginning to read some of the writings of early Christians and find it fascinating."

I have no doubt you are right about anything using the word bishop in NT scripture. You should remember, however, that both +Ignatius and +Polycarp were disciples of +John and both used the term. We know that +Ignatius was writing to +John at the same time he was using the term bishop. +Clement of Rome in his Epistle to the Corinthians speaks in several places of bishops and their appointment previously by the Apostles and how they, meaning the bishops, appoint their successors. He refers to the OT for scriptural support for this practice. The letter is probably from the mid 1st century so its likely even earlier than the letters of +Ignatius. Several decades later, the Corinithians wrote t the Church at Rome and refered to "..."the letter we received from your bishop Clement, which we still read regularly."

Seems the office arose pretty early, my brothers.

As a side note of my personal fellowship problems, I've been attending a Plymouth Brethren church for about 10 years. It has elders and everyone else and is autonomous from all other rule "except the Lord". The problem has been that with no one "on the payroll" there has not been one focused person that has two important reasons to see the church thrive. Those reasons are obviously a heart's desire to see the Gospel spread and making a small living.

So just last week I started going to a Baptist church. It will take some getting used to. I guess I've developed a hugh amount of pride and I wince every time he hear the word Pastor.