Councils

Acts 15 describes the process of how the Church operated.

There were various men teaching that Gentile converts needed to be baptized (v 1). The argument persisted so they decided they should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question (v 2). When they got to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders (v 4). The Pharisees, who were believers, argued for circumcision of the Gentile converts (v 5). The leaders (apostles and elders) came together to consider the matter (v 6). After much discussion Peter rose to state his case (v 7-11). Peter silenced the multitudes by his words and Paul and Barbabas then spoke (v 12). When they were done, the Bishop of Jerusalem, James, then spoke (v 13-18). James then rendered the judgment (v 19-21). The apostles and elders, with the whole church agreed (v 22). They sent out a letter with the judgment to all the churches (v 23-29).

This is quite different than the individual judgment Sola Scriptura people advocate or the Reformers taught. It is also the way the Church has continued to act throughout the Church age.