Actually there is. Remember that Scripture must support Scripture, and since Scripture clearly demonstrates Peter’s primacy the Council of Jerusalem must be read in that context. So when you read Scripture you must ask yourself not only what is the author saying but also illustrating in the text.
First, what is the council deciding? Whether or not the gentiles should be circumcised. Okay, what next, after much debate, Peter stands up and addresses the assembly. Now think about that; if James was the authority why would Peter stand and speak first? Why you might ask? One, Peter has primacy over the apostles bestowed upon him by Christ. Two, Peter is always mentioned first among the apostles in Scripture indicating his primacy. Three, the writer wants to be congruent with the rest of Scripture and show that Peter is mentioned first.
Now here’s the key part. What is the first thing that Peter says? Pay close attention now. He says from the earliest days God chose HIM, among the rest of the apostles, to convert the Gentiles. So the gentiles were entrusted to Peter by God. Since the gentiles were entrusted to Peter by God the gentiles are Peter’s domain. It is Peter’s prerogative then, to decide what is to be done with them, and that is exactly what he does. Peter stands up and tells everyone (with his authority) what should be done. Then there was silence. Paul and Barnabas spoke about the signs and wonders that God worked through them. Then James being the Bishop of Jerusalem wholeheartedly agrees with Peter’s initial decision. When James says , “I judge therefore,” he is not invoking supreme authority over Peter. He’s actually saying “I am firmly of the opinion therefore”. Hope that helps
If you look closely verse 20 shows who decided. It says the apostles, elders and the whole church, in that order, just as the beginning of Acts 15. So the apostles are mentioned first because of their authority. And who’s the head of the apostles?
