James the Just, the Lord’s brother
The skeptic who became a disciple of Jesus. He was not one of the 12 Apostles.
Jesus had two half brothers that wrote New Testament epistles: James and Jude.
The skeptic that became a disciple of Jesus and a leader of the earl church.
The name James is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Jacob the grabber-twin brother of Esau.
There are three James in the New Testament:
James the son of Zebede the brother of John. They were sons of Salome sister of Mary and cousins of Jesus. Both became Apostles of Jesus.
James the son of Alphaeus and brother of Matthew. He was called James the less possibly because he was younger. Both became Apostles of Jesus.
James the brother of Jesus. Jesus also had a brother named Jude. Neither one was of the 12 Apostles.
James one of the skeptic: Jesus’s brothers did not believe in Him during His earthly life.
John 7:5 “For neither did his brethren believe in Him.”
Mark 3:21 “ and when His friends heard of it they went out to lay hold on Him for they said He is beside himself.
Matthew 10:36 “A man’s foes shall be they of his own household.”
James was one of those Jesus appeared to after His resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15:4-8. And He was buried and rose again the third day and He was seen of Cephas(Peter), then of the twelve. After that He was seen of above 500 brethern at once…after that He was seen of James…”
Early leadership in the church.
Acts 1:14 “These all (the Apostles) continued with one accord in prayer and supplication with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus and with His brethern.
Acts 15:13 “…James answered saying men and brethern hearken unto me.” James addresses the early church.
Acts 21:18 “And the day following Paul went in with us unto James, and all the elders were present.” This was when Paul went to visit the bretheren in Jerusalem who received him and the offer from the churches od Asia.
James was the author of the first book of the New Testament written about 45 A.D.
Tradition tells us that James was very pious. That he had knees as hard as a camel’s because he was so constant in prayer, therefore called James the Just.
He was respected by both Jews and Christians and “kept the law of Moses and of Christ”
James was killed by stoning at the order of Ananus the High Priest 61 A.D.
The message of James:
Ability of Satan to blind men’s eyes to the truth and message of the Gospel.
The power of sacrificial love of the cross to change hearts.
The power of the Resurrection to change lives and empower service.
Below is the link to click on to see the original hand written notes.