[polemikos]

Did Peter understand that the church was to be built on HIM? Did He ever claim the title? Did he ever exert any authority in the church ..(Remember it was the brother of Jesus James that actually was in charge in the 1st church council.) It seems to me that the church claims something for Peter that he never claimed for himself

The early church Fathers all understood the unique role Peter played. (If you'd like, I can provide patristic documentation of such.) And indeed, this can be seen at the Council of Jerusalem.

To suggest that James' practical suggestion of issuing a written letter is the deciding factor is a misinterpretation of Acts 15.

Acts 15:1-7a - the stage is set with a description of the problem and the dispute that arose.
Acts 15:7b-11 - Peter speaks doctrinally, backed by the authority of God
Acts 15:12a - the dispute is ended
Acts 15:12b-13a - Paul and Barnabas agree with Peter by providing supporting physical testimony.
Acts 15:13b-14 - James acknowledges Peter has a special relationship with God
Acts 15:15-18 - James, in agreement with Peter, provides the Scriptural underpinnings
Acts 15:19-21 - James makes a practical suggestion of issuing a written decree

Peter spoke (Acts 15:7b-11), and the doctrinal dispute is silenced (Acts 15:12a).

However, James made a practical pastoral suggestion regarding an implementation issue. That it is non-authoritative is made plain through James use of the non-authoritative "hear me" (Gk, akouoo). This simply indicates a desire, and not a necessary command, for attention.

James very emphasis on the personal "I" indicates that he was only expressing his own opinion. This is underscored by Acts 15:22, which indicates that the apostles and elders agreed with James practical suggestion. James spoke and the Council was not silenced. Rather their agreement had to be noted. If James spoke with singular authority, there would be no need to note such "agreement" with James suggestion.

Nothing in this entire passage runs counter to Peter's primacy.

[Barnacle]

OLD REGGIE, Perhaps you can learn something here. Then again, maybe not.

[OLD REGGIE]

James very emphasis on the personal "I" indicates that he was only expressing his own opinion. This is underscored by Acts 15:22, which indicates that the apostles and elders agreed with James practical suggestion. James spoke and the Council was not silenced. Rather their agreement had to be noted. If James spoke with singular authority, there would be no need to note such "agreement" with James suggestion.

Nothing in this entire passage runs counter to Peter's primacy.

James Peters very emphasis on the personal "I" indicates that he was only expressing his own opinion. This is underscored by Acts 15:22, which indicates that the apostles and elders agreed with JamesPeters practical suggestion. JamesPeter spoke and the Council was not silenced. Rather their agreement had to be noted. If JamesPeter spoke with singular authority, there would be no need to note such "agreement" with JamesPeters suggestion.

And to top it off James called him "Simon". The nerve of him!