Paul makes it clear we are not saved (justified unless every bible dictionary I own is jacked) by the works of the law. And James references individuals before the law was given. So what up?
And the answer is the church wrote those cough cough popes into history themselves Before the sacking of Rome the large churches in the 5 major cities acted individually. Not answering to a single authority. Once again the disciples themselves did not submit to Peter
And you still have not addressed the issue of the greek subject change in regards to rock as demonstrated in the article I posted from. Until you can disprove that the rest of this conversation is moot