Who were the 'inner sanctum' James, Cephas, and John?
The 'inner sanctum' refers to James, Cephas (Peter), and John, described in Galatians 2:9 as the inner core of the twelve and as seeming pillars. They perceived the grace given to Paul, gave him and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship, and agreed Paul should go to the heathen.
Les teaches that James, Cephas (Peter), and John are the ones Paul names in Galatians 2:9. He calls them the inner sanctum, or inner core of the twelve, though he notes that may not be the best term. They seemed to be pillars, but Les explains they were not the pillars they thought they were anymore because God was changing the program—moving out of Judaism and legalism into the age of grace. At the Jerusalem conference, Peter had already acknowledged that God could save Gentiles, as with Cornelius, and gave in to Paul. Then James, Peter, and John, having perceived the grace given to Paul, gave Paul and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship, shaking hands in agreement. The agreement was that Paul would go to the heathen.