Topical Bible: James: An Apostle: Witness of Christ's Resurrection

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James, one of the prominent figures in the New Testament, is recognized as an apostle and a witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The name "James" is associated with several individuals in the New Testament, but the focus here is on James, the son of Zebedee, and James, the brother of Jesus, both of whom played significant roles in the early Christian church.

James, the Son of Zebedee

James, the son of Zebedee, was one of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus. He was the brother of John and part of Jesus' inner circle, which included Peter and John. This James is often referred to as "James the Greater" to distinguish him from the other James mentioned in the New Testament. He was a fisherman by trade, working alongside his brother John and their father Zebedee when Jesus called them to follow Him (Matthew 4:21-22).

James was privileged to witness several key events in Jesus' ministry, including the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-2) and the raising of Jairus' daughter (Mark 5:37). His presence at these events underscores his close relationship with Jesus and his role as a key witness to Christ's divine authority and power.

As a witness to the resurrection, James' testimony would have been crucial in the early church. Although the New Testament does not provide a detailed account of James' specific witness to the resurrection, his position as one of the apostles implies his role in proclaiming the risen Christ. James' martyrdom, as recorded in Acts 12:1-2 , where he was put to death by the sword under King Herod's orders, further attests to his unwavering faith and commitment to the message of the resurrection.

James, the Brother of Jesus

James, the brother of Jesus, also known as James the Just, emerged as a significant leader in the Jerusalem church. Initially, during Jesus' earthly ministry, James and his siblings were skeptical of Jesus' mission (John 7:5). However, following the resurrection, James experienced a transformative encounter with the risen Christ, as noted by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:7 : "Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles."

This post-resurrection appearance was pivotal, leading to James' conversion and subsequent leadership role in the early church. James became a central figure in the Jerusalem council, as described in Acts 15, where he played a crucial role in addressing the issue of Gentile believers and the Mosaic Law. His leadership and wisdom were instrumental in guiding the early church through theological and cultural challenges.

James' epistle, the Book of James, reflects his deep commitment to practical faith and righteous living. His emphasis on works as evidence of faith (James 2:17) and his call for believers to live out their faith in tangible ways highlight his understanding of the transformative power of the resurrection in the life of a believer.

In summary, both James the son of Zebedee and James the brother of Jesus were vital witnesses to the resurrection of Christ. Their testimonies and leadership were foundational to the spread of the Gospel and the establishment of the early Christian church.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Corinthians 15:7
After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Eleventh Sunday after Trinity Paul's Witness to Christ's ...
... but some are fallen asleep; 7 then he appeared to James; then to ... that am not meet
to be called an apostle, because I ... PAUL'S WITNESS TO CHRIST'S RESURRECTION. ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/eleventh sunday after trinity pauls.htm

The Apostolic Witnesses
... and Matthew perhaps wrote a Gospel, and the other James and Jude ... We find in one of
them that the Apostle states it as ... of the fact which is thus borne witness to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/the apostolic witnesses.htm

Preface
... Judas was there, the brother of James, called also Lebbaeus ... A chosen Apostle of Christ
fell sadly, and so also ... He was to be "a witness of Christ's resurrection ...
/.../ryle/the upper room being a few truths for the times/preface.htm

Were Christ and the Apostles Mistaken?
... The Apostle James adds his testimony to that of ... believe "the faithful and true Witness,"
and reject ... 6. After Christ's resurrection he walked and communed with ...
/.../concerning the assumptions of destructive criticism/iv were christ and the.htm

Index of Subjects.
... James, St., Bishop of Jerusalem, [497]20, [498]205. ... for the change, [670]284; his
fitness to be an apostle, [671]131; an unexceptionable witness, [672]287 ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/index of subjects.htm

Detailed Contents
... love of God (2) To the love of Christ (3) To ... the conscience " Menegoz on an alleged
incoherence of the apostle. The witness of the epistles on these points: ...
//christianbookshelf.org/denney/the death of christ/detailed contents.htm

The Resurrection
... When the apostle had said, The Lord shall descend from heaven with a shout, with ...
Who art thou that judgest another?' James 4:12. ... Does conscience witness for you ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/3 the resurrection.htm

The Resurrection of the Dead
... After that he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. ... on which to rest, and
the more sure witness of the Holy ... "And last of all," says the apostle, "he was ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the resurrection of the dead.htm

Clement of Alexandria.
... his knowledge of Hebrew questioned, 439, 443, 446, 484. Clement of Rome, St., an
apostle, 428. ... James, St. the Great, 579. ... Menander, witness to Scripture, 446. ...
/.../clement/who is the rich man that shall be saved/clement of alexandria.htm

The Conversion of Paul.
... he was cured and baptized"not by Peter or James or John ... him and called him to be
His witness before Jews ... and not worthy to be called an apostle, because he ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 31 the conversion of.htm