James, a servant of God and of the
Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve
tribes which are scattered abroad,
greeting. My brethren, count it all
joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
knowing this, that the trying of your faith
worketh patience. But let patience
have her perfect work, that ye may
be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
James 1:1-4
Who is this James who is accounted as the writer of this epistle? Much controversy has arisen as to this question. There is a James, the son of Zebedee, the elder brother of John and one of the twelve (Matthew 4:21; 10:2; 17:1; Mark 1:19,29; 3?17; 5:37; 9:2; 10:35; 41; 13:3; 14:33; Luke 5:10; 6:14; 8:51; 9:28, 54; Acts 1:13; 12:2). This James clearly the brother of John and there is no word that he wrote, or of anything that he spoke, there could be an exception in Acts 4:24-30, but others James was content to be a disciple.
There is a James who was called the "Lord's brother" (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3; Acts 12:17; 15:13; 21:18; I Corinthians 15:7; Galatians 1:19; 2:9, 12: James 1:1). Was he an actual brother of Jesus Christ and also one of the Twelve? Some will say that James was a child of Joseph in a former marriage as this fits with the Roman Catholic Church' position as to their doctrine for the perpetual virginity of Mary. The word according to Jewish usage could loosely mean "cousin," of so then James was the son of Mary's sister and James would have been the Lord's cousin, or "cousin-brother," as the Indians express it.
Scripture does not allow for either argument, in fact it will be shown that James was the natural son of Joseph and Mary after their marriage. Looking at Scriptural language in regards to James it is to be noted that it indicates that James has a relationship with Jesus Christ within rather than without the immediate family of Joseph and Mary. The circumstances point to James as being one of Mary's sons (Matthew 12:55,56; John 2:12; 7:3, 10). Here are some facts:
1. He is spoken of as being among the sisters and brothers of Christ (Matthew 13:55,56; John 2:12; 7:3,10).
2. He was not a believer during the Lord's life. Along with the other children of Joseph and Mary, James did not accept the Messiahship of Jesus (Matthew 13:57; Luke 7:20,21; John 7:5). Living some thirty years with Jesus Christ James must have been impacted by the life of Jesus and the words of Jesus.
3. James was a witness of Jesus Christ' resurrection I Corinthians 15:7). According to this Scripture James saw the risen Lord. Paul would only have known of this James who is often alluded to in the Acts of the Apostles. After this experience we find the "brethren of the Lord" joined with the Apostles and the women assembled together in the upper chamber (Acts 1:14).
4. James became the pillar of the Church at Jerusalem (Acts 12:17; 15:4-34; 21:18,19: Galatians 2:1-10).
5. James because of his piety became to be called "James the Just," and it is seen by his character he called himself, the servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.
6. James became known for his belief in the power of prayer and by being a prayer warrior as "The Man with Camel's Knees."
7. James was cruelly martyred be the Scribes and Pharisees, who cast him down from the pinnacle of the Temple. The fall did not kill him so he was stoned and finally he was dispatched by a blow to his head. Across from the Valley of Jehoshaphat, there is a sepulcher called "The Tomb of St. James."
We can be assured that the half-brother of Jesus, James, wrote this epistle. Furthermore, it was written by James who was a man of faith. Now that we have some history about the one who wrote this epistle we can turn our study to what he wrote and how it applies to our lives.
And as soon as we had heard these things,
our hearts did melt, neither did there
remain any more courage in any man,
because of you: for the LORD your God,
He is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.
Joshua 2:11
Believe upon Jesus Christ and be saved.
Richard L. Crumb
No comments:
Post a Comment