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To: OLD REGGIE
Peter was a participant, not the leader.

Mmm...I don't see that. James has a very prominent role, no question. And perhaps supporting your argument is that he says "it is my judgment" in Acts 15:19...but then you see right after that it's the apostles and presbyters in union with the Church that send Paul and the letter to Antioch.

Yet I wouldn't minimize Peter's influence here either. There was "much debate" (v. 7) until Peter spoke. After Peter speaks, "the whole assembly fell silent" (v. 12). Then when James gets up, the first thing he does is cite Peter (v. 14), and then says essentially the same thing that Peter did.

I don't want to turn this into which Apostle has more authority, but I think it's clear that they both assumed a particular leadership here, and that Peter was very much more than simply a "participant".

167 posted on 08/24/2007 7:46:35 AM PDT by Claud
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To: Claud
Mmm...I don't see that. James has a very prominent role, no question. And perhaps supporting your argument is that he says "it is my judgment" in Acts 15:19...but then you see right after that it's the apostles and presbyters in union with the Church that send Paul and the letter to Antioch.

Oh I see! Democracy in action. Not one man rule. No "Pope".

Yet I wouldn't minimize Peter's influence here either. There was "much debate" (v. 7) until Peter spoke. After Peter speaks, "the whole assembly fell silent" (v. 12). Then when James gets up, the first thing he does is cite Peter (v. 14), and then says essentially the same thing that Peter did.

No doubt Peter had great influence and personal experience. You are aware aren't you the "experience" Peter was speaking of?

Yes, the assembly fell silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul.

don't want to turn this into which Apostle has more authority, but I think it's clear that they both assumed a particular leadership here, and that Peter was very much more than simply a "participant".

That's just my point. No Apostle had "authority" over the others. James led the Council because he was the presiding Bishop of Jerusalem, not because he had any particular "authority". In fact, he could have been overruled by the Apostles and Presbyters present.

Bear in mind the Apostles collectively sent Peter and John on a mission. (Acts 8:14).

171 posted on 08/24/2007 9:04:49 AM PDT by OLD REGGIE (I am most likely a Biblical Unitarian? Let me be perfectly clear. I know nothing.)
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