That the origin of councils is derived from the Apostolic Synod held at Jerusalem about the year 5 is undoubted; but theologians are not agreed as to whether they were instituted by divine or by human authority. The true answer to this question is as follows: They are an apostolical institution; but the apostles, when they instituted them, acted under the com mission which they received from Christ, otherwise they could not have published the decisions of their synod with the words, It seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us. They must have been convinced that the Lord of the Church had promised and had granted His Spirit to the assemblies of the Church.