Peter remained the primary leader of the first century Church until a shift is seen in Acts 12:12-17. James the Lord’s brother began to rise to prominence.

1 Corinthians 15:4-8 Jesus appeared to James in his resurrected body.

Galatians 1:14-19 In Paul’s early days, Peter was the primary leader along with James the Lord’s brother. James rose to prominence for a number of reasons: he was the Lord’s half-brother, Jesus appeared to him in his resurrected body, and he wrote the book of James which was the first epistle written and distributed among the Church.

Starting in Acts 13, the focus switches from Peter to Paul. God reveals to Paul the greatness of the mystery, that is what God accomplished through the faith of Jesus Christ. The beginning of the new covenant and the inclusion of the Gentiles were central to this doctrine. The faith of Jesus Christ was God’s just way to make salvation available by grace and not by the works of the Law.

Acts 15:1-21 James is obviously the one in charge and makes the final decisions. Nothing was decided at the meetings about the Jews keeping the Law. They were still under the assumption that it was necessary.

Acts 15:22 Paul goes to Antioch with Barnabas.

Galatians 2:1-16 James apparently changed his mind and decided keeping the Law was still necessary.

Galatians 1:6-10 Very sharp language

Acts 21:17-26 Paul was then arrested.

The faith of Jesus Christ facilitates God’s gift of grace that those who have faith in Christ may receive righteousness with God. This grace is enough. Nothing more needs to be done; nothing more could be done.

Galatians 5:16-26 The only question for us is: Do I have faith? Faith can be seen by the fruit of the spirit, and unbelief can be seen by the works of the flesh.