The rules didn't change when the NT was written and the Apostles died. In fact, the NT itself tells you how the church is to be governed: by "overseers" (Greek "episcopoi," from which we get the English word "bishop") appointed by the Apostles and ordained by the laying-on of hands. (See Paul's letters to Timothy. Timothy was one of the "episcopoi".)
Nothing in the NT indicating that the church is to be governed by every individual believer's personal interpretation of the Scriptures, before or after the deaths of the Apostles.
“The rules didn’t change when the NT was written and the Apostles died.
“They’re dead Jim.”
They were the foundation. The house is now built.
“In fact, the NT itself tells you how the church is to be governed: by “overseers” (Greek “episcopoi,” from which we get the English word “bishop”) appointed by the Apostles and ordained by the laying-on of hands. (See Paul’s letters to Timothy. Timothy was one of the “episcopoi”.)”
No more Apostles to lay hands. Their Inspired Epistles remain.
“Nothing in the NT indicating that the church is to be governed by every individual believer’s personal interpretation of the Scriptures, before or after the deaths of the Apostles.”
Indeed! Nor Rome’s!