Jesus Christ promised us The Holy Spirit to lead us into all truths. Was Peter a chosen leader? Yes. But not as the head of the Christian churches. Peter was the leader of the Disciples. How can we know? Because Paul was called to be an Apostle by Jesus Christ. Was Paul under Peter's authority or oversight? No! Paul not Peter laid the written rules for churches he had started up. Peter did not take over their oversight.
The early church and The Disciples themselves were somewhat confused as too their mission given them and just how to carry it out. The beginning of the persecutions corrected their course and began the spreading of The Gospel to distant nations and people. What were they doing up till that time? Staying in Jerusalem basically in one community. The Great Commission Christ gave them was not stay in Jerusalem and be a community sharing your common goods.
Matt ch 28 v16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”---NIV
Christians and The Gospel as soon as the persecutions began started the spreading of The Gospel to all nations. Persons who came to Jerusalem heard the Gospel and those who believed like the man Phillip was taken too believed and took the Gospel to distant lands. This didn't require an organized effort by some man picked hierarchy. Rather it was believers lead by The Holy Spirit.
Was Paul a priest or a preacher? Was Peter a Priest or a preacher? Was Paul wearing robes a hat etc? Was Peter? No evidence exist of them doing such. Rather they met in homes informally. They went from place to place meeting in forums, homes, sometimes the local synagogs, in prisons, etc. The same as Jesus Christ had done and taught them. Remember what Jesus told them as to how they should allow others to address them as?
Peter. Paul, Phillip, James, John, and the rest were more like modern day Evangelist. Their witness has been recorded and handed down. The truths written in their accounts have been kept intact not by man who can corrupt but rather by The Holy Spirit bringing the needed corrections to believers. Every written Bible and account of it could be destroyed yet it survives in mans heart.
To whom is The Holy Spirit given? Some believe only those ordained to minister and lead. But GOD had other plans because like the Temple Priest and government it could be corrupted and used as a spiritual weapon of enslavement. Instead of allowing that again The Holy Spirit is to all whom receive GOD's Word, believe and receive Jesus Christ as Savior, and Christ calls His own. That is THE CHURCH. There is No THE CHURCH but that church. It has no building but it's foundation is Jesus Christ and it's Temple is our hearts in which Jesus Christ dwells.
That is why we should try with all of hearts though we will still stumble to live by GOD's Commandments and the ones Jesus added. That is more than enough to keep any person busy. That stops any Priest who before were intercessors between GOD & man from withholding your salvation or any blessings from GOD. GOD and sinners are reconciled through Jesus and The Holy Spirit is the new teacher and intercessor for us. Dwelling within us The Holy Spirit ministers to us and tells GOD our needs even before we speak.
Christians and The Gospel as soon as the persecutions began started the spreading of The Gospel to all nations. Persons who came to Jerusalem heard the Gospel and those who believed like the man Phillip was taken too believed and took the Gospel to distant lands. This didn't require an organized effort by some man picked hierarchy. Rather it was believers lead by The Holy Spirit.
To whom is The Holy Spirit given? Some believe only those ordained to minister and lead. But GOD had other plans because like the Temple Priest and government it could be corrupted and used as a spiritual weapon of enslavement. Instead of allowing that again The Holy Spirit is to all whom receive GOD's Word, believe and receive Jesus Christ as Savior, and Christ calls His own.
Did you not read in the Bible what Paul did when there arose a dispute in Antioch about keeping the Mosaic Law? Paul did not decide this on his own. The church at Antioch did not decide this on its own. Rather, "it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the others should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and presbyters about this question." (Acts 15:2) I will point out here that they were sent not just to the apostles but to "the apostles and presbyters." The apostles had already associated other men to themselves in the governance of the church.
In this assembly of apostles and presbyters it is Peter who first declares that no further burden should be placed on the gentiles, to which James agrees. But notice carefully what was written in the letter back to the church at Antioch. (vv. 22-29) First, it is written in the name of the apostles and presbyters. Second, it states that the dissension in Antioch was caused by those who were teaching "without any mandate from us." Thus the need to teach in accord with the church and not each according to his own light. And finally, and most importantly, notice by what authority the apostles and presbyters give for their decision: "It is the decision of the holy Spirit and of us…" It was by the authority of the Holy Spirit itself that the apostles and presbyters made this decision binding. And this authority was binding as an act of the church prior to its recording in the Scriptures.