And, +Peter seems fairly weak as compared to +James or +Paul. +James organized and presided over the first Council, right? If that is so, that seems to me to be very, very significant. The feel of Scripture is that +Peter took a decidedly second place to +James. +Paul, on the other hand, seems +James's equal in every regard. What was +James's view of ministering to Gentiles, is that what the Council of Jerusalem was convened to review and decide upon?
Correct
If that is so, that seems to me to be very, very significant.
Also consider the words of Paul in Galations
it was tradition to address the leaders in order of importance, look how he listed them
Gal 2:7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as [the gospel] of the circumcision [was] unto Peter;
Gal 2:8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
Gal 2:9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we [should go] unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
Peter called the writings of Paul SCRIPTURE. He acknowledged that Paul wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit
If Peter had gone to Rome it would have been in disobedience to the mission given him by God
The feel of Scripture is that +Peter took a decidedly second place to +James. +Paul, on the other hand, seems +James's equal in every regard.
I have seen the argument given that if there was a "pope" it was James. But I believe that Paul indicates a joint leadership between James and Peter and John.
What was +James's view of ministering to Gentiles, is that what the Council of Jerusalem was convened to review and decide upon?
I will refer you to the book of Galations for insight into the reason for that council
The " Christian Jews wanted the converted Gentiles to become observant keepers of the law, they had an incomplete understanding of being saved by faith not law keeping
The problem was that Peter in order to keep peace separated himself from the gentiles in this thus seeming to accept the need to keep the Jewish laws. Peter himself had referred to his actions as illegal, at least as far as the Jewish interpretation and application of the Old Testament laws of ceremonial cleanness were concerned ( Read Acts10- 11) Remember that at first Peter refused to eat anything "unclean " with the gentiles God gave him a vision to correct the error that could cause a real problem between the jewish and Gentile Christians. he then ate with Cornelius. Some Judean Christians were teaching gentile Christians in Antioch that they had to be circumcised or else they could not be saved, and there was anger with Peter ( Acts 15:1) Paul confronted Peter on this publicly ( something no one would do with an infallible Pope). That was the cause of that first church council
Gal 2:11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
Gal 2:12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
Gal 2:13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
Gal 2:14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before [them] all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
Gal 2:15 We [who are] Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
Gal 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
This was a turning point for the new church.The scripture is clear the authority there was James .
James, the leader of the Jerusalem Church, gave the decision, not Peter
Acts 15:18-21 "Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and [from] fornication, and [from] things strangled, and [from] blood.4 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day."
I would suggest a reading of Acts 15 and then a read of the letter to the Galations to read Pauls exposition on how one can be led astray to believing a salvation of works and not grace