“It’s a bit difficult to read minds. But claiming
association with, ordination by, an apostle would add to his claim of authority, wouldn’t it?”
True. More importantly, it indicates that the early Church regarded ordination by the Apostles as sufficient proof of one’s authority.
“Peter had a great privilege in this matter but he he was not the decision maker.”
Great privilege? Is this another way to say that he was the leader of the Apostles and that they looked to him for guidance.
“Peter was an “older man”, possibly in years but certainly in experience having been with Christ all during his ministry.”
So was Andrew. Why was Peter the one given these ‘great privileges’.
“An argument from silence might well be superior to any other available.”
Nonsense. We could just as easily assert that China did not exist in those days because nothing is said of it. Arguments from silence are untenable under all circumstancees.
“If James had a replacement chosen no one thought it important enough to even allude to it?”
You would think that they would talk about the death of St. Peter and St. Paul?
“Yet in John’s Revelation vision years later he sees only twelve names of the apostles on foundation stones.
Would it be possible to leave one name out and if so, who?”
Judas one presumes since Revelations looks at the originals not the replacements.
No, it's not another way of saying anything. Acts chapter shows the disciple James, not Peter, acting as spokesman and leader of the church in Jerusalem rendering a decision about new converts.
When Paul and Barnabas are sent to Antioch it is the “apostles and older men” who come one accord, not just Peter, in the decision.
While there Paul decides to revisit cities where he had preached. Does he consult with Peter? Seek his leadership? No.
In fact as Paul said to the Galatians (chap.’s 1,2) that after his conversion he went off into Arabia and only years later went up to Jerusalem to spend some time with Peter and James (Jesus’ brother).
So Peter as a leader in the church? Sure. Pater as the leader of the church? Scripture doesn't bear that out.