Sadly, a desire for equity (actually, a desire for the same break as the next guy) is one of those things that IMHO causes people to anthropomorphize God. He thinks he has a better understanding of "right" and "wrong" than God.
Excellent point. Men have always struggled to make God a respecter of persons. But ultimately there are only two classes of people, the acquitted and the condemned. Peter stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Paul and you and me and all the saints of God's creation who have been redeemed by His blood.
Additionally, if one were going to pick an apostle to rise above the rest, Peter seems a questionable choice. Three times he denied Christ. At least Paul had never met Christ when he tormented Christians. Peter had witnessed His glory, looked into the face of God Himself and STILL denied Him.
When we return to Scripture, the Roman hierarchy just isn't there.
Truth well put.
Personally, I am drawn most strongly to the Apostle John who loved Jesus wholeheartedly. His Gospel, letters and Revelation speak to my spirit at a level that words fail to explain.
Also it is apparent that Paul and James are in at least as much authority based on the meeting in Jerusalem.