There is absolutely no Scriptural basis for that statement.
When you get a medical xray, a number is assigned to the xray. Are you worried about that?
TRADITION!!!!! I think that's a line from a movie....anyway, as the church grew over the years and centuries, those in charge passed on their teaching authority to newcomers who learned of their ways and accepted their teachings. Kind of like the way every successful organization does things. If you looked across the street and decided that you were entitled to teach their followers whatever you thought was right, you'd be wrong. The Magisterium of the Catholic church and only they, are authorized to pass to those in the future, the powers granted to them by Christ. You may want to do it....but you can't.