The Judaizers likely claimed that the apostles in Jerusalem, together with James, the brother of Jesus, were the true leaders of the church and the ones with authority to determine doctrine and practice.1 Having spent time with Jesus during his earthly ministry, they were generally venerated and well respected.2
6 And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality) those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me.