Again you are false.Without at least one elder they would have been considered to be without shepherding... a situation that would not have been allowed by the Apostles.
Paul and Titus and other apostolic workers planted church, commended them to the Lord and His word and set the order and taught how to wait on the Lord and function in God's order. Then they left them for a good while, possibly from 6 months to a few years and after a while they went back to those original churches, that had no elders all that time and ordained elders. They with the body would choose out elders (plural) and recognize them in their care and when they met the qualifications. All are taught to know those who labour among you.
But to be mature in the faith takes time and elders are not made immediately. Babes are unskillful in the word of righteousness. So Paul left them with God and His word. We see this in scripture.
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Titus 1:5 KJV
For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:"
Acts 15:36 KJV
36 And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do."
Acts 14:21-23 KJV
21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, 22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had ordained them elders [plural] in every church [singular], and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed."
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