According to Jehovah's Witnesses, Acts 15 shows a gathering of older men in Jerusalem convened for the purpose of deciding about the issue of circumcision. They teach that this gathering demonstrates that the older men in Jerusalem exercised doctrinal authority over the congregations throughout the known world.
Let us examine, from the two perspectives of Luke and Paul, what really was going on. During the course of the discussion we will examine Peter's testimony as well to decide whether God was using this group of men as the ancient version of the modern day Governing Body. Most of these verses will be paraphrased for brevity.
Acts 15:1, 2 — Certain men from Judea came to Galatia and were teaching that the people had to get circumcised and adhere to the Law of Moses. Paul and Barnabas resisted them and there was "no little dissension and disputing" over the matter. The men from Judea arranged for Paul and Barnabas to meet with the apostles and older men in Jerusalem, Paul and Barnabas did not arrange to meet. As we shall see, they did not believe it was necessary to meet about this.
Galatians 1:6-9 — Paul encourages the Christians in Galatia to consider anyone accursed who brings a different gospel than the one they received, even if it seems similar and even if Paul or an angel brings it.
Galatians 1:13-2:5 — Paul explains it had been 14 years since he had been to Jerusalem before the arrival of "false brothers [snuck in] . . . that they might completely enslave us—to these we did not yield by way of submission, no, not for an hour."
Think on this: For more than 14 years Paul had been starting congregations throughout the Gentile regions, seeing firsthand the gifting of spirit upon these people as an incontrovertible proof of God's approval, and had never compelled any to be circumcised. Not even the older men in the predominantly Gentile congregations had to be circumcised. Then representatives from the "Governing Body" arrive trying to compel circumcision and Paul openly encouraged outright resistance to their directions and viewpoints!
He went up to see about this, but not passively. He was not going as a penitent seeking information about this new doctrine. He already knew what was the truth. Even Titus, who went with them, went uncircumcised. Back to Acts 15.
Acts 15:3-5 — They arrive in Jerusalem to a warm reception, and recount all that God has done by means of them. The Christians from the sect of the Pharisees rose up and challenged that it was "necessary to circumcise them and charge to observe the Law of Moses." Notice who was still pushing the issue of circumcision even after Cornelius was baptized some fifteen years prior—it was those who had been Pharisees.
This group in Jerusalem had presumptuously assumed an authority God had not granted them. God had long since settled—once and for all—the issue of circumcision.
Acts 10:15, 27-29 — And the voice [spoke] again to [Peter], the second time: "You stop calling defiled the things God has cleansed."
And as [Peter] conversed with [Cornelius] he went in and found many people assembled, and he said to them: "You well know how unlawful it is for a Jew to join himself to or approach a man of another race; and yet God has shown me I should call no man defiled or unclean. Hence I came, really without objection, when I was sent for. Therefore I inquire the reason that you have sent for me."
God decided it. The so-called "Governing Body" was at least fifteen years behind the "chariot" on this one. It had been decided, put into practice, and was the basis for Paul's entire ministry to the nations for at least fifteen years (probably more like 16, but for the sake of erring on the cautious side).
The "Governing Body" of older men and apostles in Jerusalem—understood as a group God exclusively used to distribute doctrine—is a myth.