In the book of Acts chapter 15, verse 28, James says, “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us….”  In other words, the method for making their decision is clarified.  Yes, they listened to both sides.  Yes, they debated the impact that those things would have on the church.  But most importantly, they prayed.  And the result of their prayers was a clear indication of what pleased the Holy Spirit.  And when that was discovered, they were pleased as well and enacted the Spirit’s pleasure over the situation.  

Did you catch that?  James had the authority to make the decision but it was really the Holy Spirit who made the call.  The focus of the leadership and James in particular was to find out what pleased the Holy Spirit more than any other group of people.