The Apostle
James was one of the Brothers of Thunder—named, most likely, for their fiery spirit. He was the brother of the Apostle John—likely his older brother. Some believe that they were Jesus’ cousins.
His father owned a successful fishing company and seems to have been a man making a very healthy living. His mom was Salome, who liked to pal around with the Marys and could easily be called an unofficial disciple.
James doesn’t play a pivotal role in the gospels, but is a part of the close inner circle of apostles.
Acts 12:2 tells us that James was martyred; this was around 44AD—approximately ten years after Christ ascended. James was both the first and only apostle that the Bible mentions was martyred. There is no record of why he was martyred—just who did it. Many believe that James had went to Spain to minister to Jews who had been exiled there, which did not go well with Herod, who was the guy who sent them there.
After James, it really was game-on for the church. Up until this moment, they had perhaps been harassed and bullied—but this was an apostle—this was not supposed to happen to the leader of the church. Stephen had, of course, been the first martyr of the church, but his death was likely not as rippling as James.
Christ had warned Christians that he did not come to bring peace, but the sword; this was not a call to arms, rather a warning that they were now in a time of persecution. That warning was now real and they had a choice to make: were they willing to die for the cross? James was the first, but not the last, to say yes.
His father owned a successful fishing company and seems to have been a man making a very healthy living. His mom was Salome, who liked to pal around with the Marys and could easily be called an unofficial disciple.
James doesn’t play a pivotal role in the gospels, but is a part of the close inner circle of apostles.
Acts 12:2 tells us that James was martyred; this was around 44AD—approximately ten years after Christ ascended. James was both the first and only apostle that the Bible mentions was martyred. There is no record of why he was martyred—just who did it. Many believe that James had went to Spain to minister to Jews who had been exiled there, which did not go well with Herod, who was the guy who sent them there.
After James, it really was game-on for the church. Up until this moment, they had perhaps been harassed and bullied—but this was an apostle—this was not supposed to happen to the leader of the church. Stephen had, of course, been the first martyr of the church, but his death was likely not as rippling as James.
Christ had warned Christians that he did not come to bring peace, but the sword; this was not a call to arms, rather a warning that they were now in a time of persecution. That warning was now real and they had a choice to make: were they willing to die for the cross? James was the first, but not the last, to say yes.
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