Why did St. James preside at the Council of Jerusalem recorded in Acts XV.?
He did not do so. St. Peter presided. Acts XV., 7, says, “After much disputing Peter rose up and said.” He then decided the issue. Verse 12 tells us that after Peter had spoken all held their peace. James then expressed his assent to St. Peter’s decision. St. James, as local Bishop of Jerusalem, would naturally have a prominent position at the meeting, since it took place in Jerusalem. But there can be no doubt about his deference to the oecumenical position of St. Peter as chief of the Apostles. 345. If St. Peter was supreme, how could the Apostles send him on a mission? They could not do so by any command based upon authority over him. Even you will admit that, for if you won’t agree that the other Apostles were subject to Peter, you will not go to the other extreme of saying that he was subject to them. The expression is quite easily explained by common counsel and request, based on the general judgment that so important a matter warranted the attention of St. Peter precisely becaus
