" Jesus' Brother James "

Welcome Aboard, this week we are looking into " James. " As most know, the Book Of James is my second favorite in the Bible after the Book Of Joshua. Traditionally, it has been assumed that the James who authored this letter is the brother of Jesus (Mark 6:3), and the leader of the church in Jerusalem (Acts 12:17; Gal 1:19). Now James was probably the oldest of Christ's several brothers and sisters since he heads the list in Matthew 13:55 as well as in Mark 6:3. At first he did not believe in Jesus and even challenged him and misunderstood his mission (John 7:2-5). Later James became a committed disciple. Before his martyrdom C. A.D. 62, James was very prominent in the church. 1- James was one of the selected individuals Christ appeared to after his Resurrection (1 Cor 15:7). 2- Paul called him a " Pillar " of the church (Gal 2:9). 3- Paul, on his first post-conversion visit to Jerusalem, saw James (Gal 1:19). 4- Paul did the same on the last visit (Acts 21:18). 5- When Peter was rescued from prison, he told his friends to tell James (Acts 12:17). 6- James was a leader in the important council of Jerusalem (Acts 15:13). 7- Jude could identify himself simply as a " brother of James " (Jude 1:1), so well - known was James. LAST POINT: During Jesus' lifetime, his siblings did not believe he was the Messiah (John 7:5), but his resurrection must have convinced them. Jesus' special appearance to James, one of his brothers, may have been an especially significant event in their conversion (see 1 Corinthians 15:7). Once again this James is Jesus' brother, who at first did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah (John 7:5). After seeing the resurrected Christ, he became a believer and ultimately a leader of church in Jerusalem (Acts 15:13). James wrote the New Testament book of James. Until Next Time... Jim,