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I believe that this passage is telling us that what is important is doing the will of JESUS, and that there is no need to be under any particular earthly authority to do it.

If we were all capable of discerning this will without assistance from those set up to teach us, I would agree.

Which returns us once again to the idea that Protestants have that they will be led to truth individually by the Holy Spirit.

Doing the will of Jesus is certainly the important thing, but that does not mean we do not need guidance. So He left us a guide.

Incidentally, your use of the phrase "particular earthly authority" is interesting. Given your hypotheses, what purpose does any earthly authority serve? I can see someone like me submitting to an authority that I thought was, well, authoritative. But since you reserve the right to determine is your "authority" is reading the Bible correctly, what is the point?

If we were all capable of discerning this will without assistance from those set up to teach us, I would agree.
Doing the will of Jesus is certainly the important thing, but that does not mean we do not need guidance. So He left us a guide.
Which returns us once again to the idea that Protestants have that they will be led to truth individually by the Holy Spirit.
Correct ...
John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Incidentally, your use of the phrase "particular earthly authority" is interesting. Given your hypotheses, what purpose does any earthly authority serve? I can see someone like me submitting to an authority that I thought was, well, authoritative. But since you reserve the right to determine is your "authority" is reading the Bible correctly, what is the point?
There is only one ultimate authority in the Church today ... that of JESUS Christ Himself. He is uniquely THE HEAD of the Church.
The task of ALL leaders/teachers called by God to serve the church is to guide believers to recognize and implement JESUS' authority in their lives. These are no authorities in themselves, but rather, only direct us to JESUS' authority.
And so, we, the Church, have the responsibility to heed JESUS' authority through the study of His teachings, which are avilable to us through the writings of the apostles, which are made plain to us through the teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit.