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James (Zebedee's son) |
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Jesus singled out three of his 12
disciples for special training. James, his brother John, and Peter made up
this inner circle. Each eventually played a key role in the early church.
Peter became a great speaker, John became a major writer, and James was
the first of the 12 disciples to die for his faith.
The fact that his name is always mentioned before John’s indicates that James was the older brother. Zebedee, their father, owned a fishing business in which they worked alongside Peter and Andrew. When Peter, Andrew, and John left Galilee to see John the Baptist, James stayed back with the boats and fishing nets. Later, when Jesus called them, James was as eager as his partners to follow. James enjoyed being in the inner circle of Jesus’ disciples, but he misunderstood Jesus’ purpose. He and his brother even tried to secure their role in Jesus’ Kingdom by asking Jesus to promise them each a special position. Like the other disciples, James had a limited view of what Jesus was doing on earth, picturing only an earthly kingdom that would overthrow Rome and restore Israel’s former glory. But above all, James wanted to be with Jesus. He had found the right leader, even though he was still on the wrong timetable. It took Jesus’ death and resurrection to correct his view. James was the first of the 12 disciples to die for the gospel. He was willing to die because he knew Jesus had conquered death, the doorway to eternal life. Our expectations about life will be limited if this life is all we can see. Jesus promised eternal life to those willing to trust him. If we believe this promise, he will give us the courage to stand for him even during dangerous times. 1- Strengths and accomplishments
2- Weaknesses and mistakes:
3- Lesson from his life:
4- Vital statistics:
5- Key verses: "Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to him. ‘Teacher,’ they said, ‘we want you to do us a favor.’ ‘What is it?’ he asked. ‘In your glorious Kingdom, we want to sit in places of honor next to you,’ they said, ‘one at your right and the other at your left’" (Mark 10:35–37). James’s story is told in the Gospels. He is also mentioned in Acts 1:13 and 12:2.
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James, Son of Zebedee 1. One of the twelve apostles, and brother of John the apostle. He was a fisherman, and was called to the apostleship while mending his nets. He at once forsook all and followed the Lord. #Mt 4:21 10:2 Mr 1:19,29 Lu 5:10 6:14 Ac 1:13. James and his brother were named by the Lord BOANERGES, ‘sons of thunder.’ He with John asked if they should call down fire from heaven on the Samaritans. #Lu 9:54. Peter, James, and John were privileged by the Lord to attend Him on several occasions, as on the mount of transfiguration. #Mt 17:1 Mr 5:37 9:2 13:3 14:33 Lu 8:51 9:28. The mother of James and John requested that her two sons might sit, the one on the right hand and the other on the left of the Lord in His kingdom. This raised the indignation of the other disciples; but the Lord taught them all a lesson of humility: He Himself had come to minister and to give His life a ransom for many. #Mt 20:20. James was killed by Herod Agrippa I about A.D. 43. #Ac 12:2. The ‘James’ referred to in #1Co 15:7 may be this apostle. 2. The son of Zebedee and Salome; an elder brother of John the apostle. He was one of the twelve. He was by trade a fisherman, in partnership with Peter #Mt 20:20 27:56 With John and Peter he was present at the transfiguration #Mt 17:1 Mr 9:2 at the raising of Jairus’s daughter #Mr 5:37-43 and in the garden with our Lord #Mr 14:33 Because, probably, of their boldness and energy, he and John were called Boanerges, i.e., "sons of thunder." He was the first martyr among the apostles, having been beheaded by King Herod Agrippa #Ac 12:1,2 A.D. 44. (Comp.) #Mt 4:21 20:20-23 James, son of Alphaeus, or Cleopas: 1. The son of Alphaeus, or Cleopas, "the brother" or near kinsman or cousin of our Lord #Ga 1:18,19 called James "the Less," or "the Little," probably because he was of low stature. He is mentioned along with the other apostles #Mt 10:3 Mr 3:18 Lu 6:15 He had a separate interview with our Lord after his resurrection #1Co 15:7 and is mentioned as one of the apostles of the circumcision #Ac 1:13 He appears to have occupied the position of head of the Church at Jerusalem, where he presided at the council held to consider the case of the Gentiles #Ac 12:17 #Ac 15:13-29 21:18-24 This James was the author of the epistle which bears his name. 2. One of the twelve apostles. #Mt 10:3 Mr 3:18 Lu 6:15 Ac 1:13. These are the only passages where with certainty this apostle is spoken of; but we find in the Acts of the Apostles a James at Jerusalem after the son of Zebedee had been killed, and holding a sort of first place there. He spoke with a measure of authority at the conference respecting the law not being enforced on the Gentiles, saying, ‘My sentence is,’ &c. This suggests that he was an apostle, and the son of Alphaeus. #Ac 12:17 15:13 21:18 Ga 2:9,12. He was most probably the writer of the Epistle of James, and the brother of Jude, or Judas, who was also an apostle. #Lu 6:16 Jas 1:1 Jude 1. James, the Lord’s Brother: Though the word adelfov is used in the LXX in a wider sense than ‘brother,’ it has been judged that its use in the N.T. is restricted to those born of the same mother; and therefore the Lord’s brother could not have been the same person as the son of Alphaeus. Nor is it probable that he was one of the twelve apostles, for we read that "neither did his brethren believe in him." #Joh 7:5. The first mention of the Lord’s brethren being with the apostles is in #Ac 1:14, and there they are referred to as distinct from them. James the Lord’s brother was seen at Jerusalem by Paul. #Ga 1:19. The being thus designated distinguishes him from the apostle who is simply called James in #Ga 2:9,12. Learned authorities state that in #Ga 1:19 the construction of the passage in the Greek does not necessarily imply that James the Lord’s brother was an apostle. He is mentioned also in #Mt 13:55 Mr 6:3. |