Paul's take on the Council of Jerusalem

Paul, an apostle---sent not from men nor by man...
I went in response to a revelation...
Those men added nothing to my message...
[Galatians 1:1, 2:2, 2:6]

It is rather uplifting when I come to a conclusion about something in the Bible, a conclusion I fear may be on the "radical" side, and almost immediately the Lord shows me how someone else has already discovered this same truth. On the one hand, it is humbling to see that I am not somehow prophetic and that this hasn't been merely given to me. On the other hand, it is most glorious because I see that the Lord is the one teaching me, then reaffirming his teaching through others. I did not receive it from them, but together with them, as Paul might say.

Paul said the same thing in Galatians 2 when he wrote, "... for fear that I was running or had run my race in vain" [2]---by which he admits he was not perfectly confident about his mission until he had in fact been encouraged by the other apostles; and yet he also says, "For God ... was at work in my ministry" [8]---by which he states his calm assurance that God's work in Paul was GOD'S work. Paul had concluded that circumcision was unnecessary and even wrong for the gentile Christians. Those who were trying to require it for the gentiles were "scam-Christians."

This means that the glowing account in Acts 15 is the "official" version of the Council. Paul's version was much more contentious. Understanding of this difference was beginning to dawn on me as I studied Galatians. But the Lord moved me to pick up one of those books I had been meaning to read for at least 10 years now, "History of Christianity" by Paul Johnson. The very first chapter begins with this Council and points out the differences between Paul's and Luke's accounts in full.

So what I had begun to realize by the help of the Holy Spirit was confirmed. Indeed, God led me to read this history at just the time I needed it. I'm convinced the Lord also led me to study Galatians at this time, and further led me to study with Adam, who is also memorizing Galatians, and led me to work in Washington, so that I might pour over His word more, and give less attention to civilian affairs. To see God's work in my life on such a level is, well, greatly reassuring. I'm not living life "going through the motions", not "doing the Church thing", not an "office-holder in the Christian institution". I'm a servant of Jesus Christ, who is at work in my life and ministry, just as He was in Peter's and Paul's.

Now about this idea that Paul was critical of the other apostles.... another time.