"Around the time of Paul's return from his first missionary journey, 45 A. D. we read:"And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: . . . Wherefore my sentence is that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God" (Acts 15:13, 19.).
James is giving a decision on behalf of the Jerusalem Church, and appears to be the leader."
GBC