Acts 15:22,23 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Then pleased it the apostles, &c. This advice was very acceptable to the apostles and elders, who unanimously declared their approbation of it; with the whole church Who therefore had a part in this business; to send chosen men Who might attest that this was the judgment of the apostles and all the brethren. And wrote letters by them The whole conduct of this affair plainly shows that the church, in those days, had no conception of St. Peter's primacy, or of his being the chief judge in controversies. For the decree is drawn up, not according to his, but the Apostle James's proposal and direction: and that in the name, not of St. Peter, but of all the apostles and elders, and of the whole church. Nay, St. Peter's name is not mentioned at all, either in the order for sending to Jerusalem on the question, (Acts 15:2,) or in the address of the messengers concerning it, (Acts 15:4,) or in the letter which was written in answer. The apostles, elders, and brethren These brethren, being neither apostles nor elders, were undoubtedly private Christians, whom the apostles, in their great condescension, joined with themselves on this occasion, as well knowing that their declared concurrence would strengthen the obligation upon the church at Antioch, not only to acquiesce in this decree, but to support it; and it was the more prudent to do it, as the liberty this gave to the Gentile Christians would somewhat affect the secular interests of the inhabitants of Jerusalem.