Jwfacts,
All this misses the point made in the texts, that James, some of the apostles like John, Peter who fell in with them and the rest of the converts in Jerusalem were not only keeping such prohibitions but were also keeping all the Law and customs of the Jewish faith. Paul took them aside before the meeting and corrected their views, or so he thought for he said this about them: Gal. 2:9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. But James who wrote the letter was not convinced. He continued to keep the Law as shown by his attitude when Paul returned. His comment to Paul that the letter was intended only for Gentiles was WRONG. His requirement that Paul shave his head and take the vows was WRONG. James needed correction once again and Paul was not being given an opportunity to do that. The idea that everything was sweet and rosy among the anointed in the faith back then the most influential at the time is easily refuted by the troubles that Paul and later John had in their ministry. John was also inspired to make this known to us when he said: 3 John 9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. 10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. We cannot and should not trust those putting themself up as leaders. We should be able to determing who is like Diotrephes and avoid them.
Joseph