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Tag: james

Epistle from the Council of Jerusalem – Acts 15:20
The Council of Jerusalem has come to a decision. They will write an epistle of instruction to the gentile churches.
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Let's focus for a moment on a HOT TOPIC of A.D. 50 on which future missions of the apostles hinged.

(HOW will JEWS worship with other CULTURES?)

Church leaders ANSWERED with an EPISTLE from their Council in Jerusalem. 
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ἐπιστολή – a written message: — epistle, letter

So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:^G1992
Acts of the Apostles 15:30, King James Version

WHAT DO WE DO WHEN AS SOON AS WE MAKE AN IMPORTANT DECISION IMPACTING EVERYONE?

We send out an epistle or letter or message or broadcast.

AND like any council with authority this council of Church leaders in Jerusalem go back to their followers personally as well. These apostles of the gospel will also send their epistle or letter of instruction with other trusted messengers to churches they cannot encourage personally.
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We're getting a little ahead of today's work of the Jerusalem Council, but I thought it important to DEFINE our term and impact of today's meeting of the Apostles in Jerusalem.
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Lexicon :: Strong’s G1992 – epistolē

– From ἐπιστέλλω (G1989) epistellō –

Outline of Biblical Usage
- to send one a message, command
- to write a letter
- to enjoin by letter, to write instructions
Christians familiar with traditional readings of Scripture from the King James Version recognize an introduction like:

“A reading from the Epistle of Paul to the Romans.”
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The cover letter pictured is an actual parchment of Romans 1:1-7
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Acts of the Apostles 15:30 [above] reads ‘epistle‘ in the KJV.

But most Bibles simply translate it ‘letter.’

You may have seen a similar epistle in Acts 9 where Luke records a previous ‘official letter’ also sent with Paul (aka at that time Saul of Tarsus) from Jerusalem.

Damascus Road: Witness into all the World

But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
– Acts of the Apostles 9:1-2 ESV

Christians familiar with the epistles or letters of the New Testament (after Acts) see epistles addressed to an individual church, i.e. Corinth, Ephesus, where these letters were also circulated to churches throughout and beyond those regions.

However this important earlier letter from the Council at Jerusalem was sent to as many churches as possible. And the Apostles gathered in Jerusalem specifically address Gentiles as participants and members.

SO It could have, but was not, named:

The Epistle of the Council of Jerusalem,

TO the Church at Antioch Syria (where it is to be sent) OR due to apostles sent out into all the world:

‘TO the churches of the Gentile Nations.’

Leaders of the Christians in Antioch had requested clarification from the Apostles and leaders of the church in Jerusalem. Most Hellenist or Greek church members were Gentiles rather than Jews of the Diaspora.

Acts 15 – Conclusion of Pastor James

Truth for Gentiles who turn to God

Previously, from ACTS 15:6-19

Do not trouble those turning to God

.. we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God,
but should write to them
to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood.
Acts 15:19b-20 ESV

Don’t cause trouble. Do not annoy. Do not harass.
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You get the idea; this is what Saul of Tarsus had planned to do in Damascus with the authority of the Jewish Council to persecute the converted.
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ἐπιστρέφω – Lexicon :: Strong’s G1994 – epistrephō
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transitively, a. to turn to the worship of the true God, 
b. to cause to return, to bring back; figuratively, to the love and obedience of God ..
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Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble those who are turning to God [theos] from among the Gentiles ἔθνος [ethnos].

YES, God chose the Jews

BUT why would we want to keep those Gentiles whom the Lord our God has drawn through Christ?

AND WHY add requirements which would hinder Gentiles from turning to God?

SO James adjudicates the matter also addressing the concerns of the Jews.

EXCEPT these practices of Jewish Law
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Here, James adds a requirement for the Gentiles but it is NOT circumcision.
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- abstain from
  - the things polluted by idols
  - sexual immorality
  - what has been strangled
  - [from] blood
21 For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”

James .. To the twelve tribes dispersed abroad. Greetings.

A Map [above] shows first century Jewish cities of the Roman Empire to which James refers in an epistle he authored most likely during Paul’s first missionary journey just prior to the Council at Jerusalem.

As you can see, much more communication will be required to cover so many Hellenist cities with Jewish and Christian worshipers.
ἐπιστολή – a written message: — epistle, letter
Acts 15 – Conclusion of Pastor James
Do not trouble those turning to God
EXCEPT these practices of Jewish Law
Scriptural (Old Testament) Reasons for James’ exceptions
Pollutions of idols
Fornication – πορνεία – Lexicon :: Strong’s G4202 – porneia –
Things Strangled – πνικτός pniktós, pnik-tos’
and Blood – αἵματος – αἷμα Lexicon :: Strong’s G129 – haima of man or animals
The Sacrifice of Blood
Leviticus 17: ESV
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Acts 15:20 King James Version — But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
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Scriptural (Old Testament) Reasons for James’ exceptions

Pollutions of idols

– Gen 35:2; Exo 20:3-5,23; Exo 34:15,16; Num 25:2; Psa 106:37-39; Eze 20:30,31;

“Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord GOD: Will you defile yourselves after the manner of your fathers and go whoring after their detestable things? When you present your gifts and offer up your children in fire, you defile yourselves with all your idols to this day. And shall I *be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I will not *be inquired of by you.
Ezra 20:30-31 KJV – *note: Lexicon :: Strong’s H1875 – dāraš

Fornication – πορνεία – Lexicon :: Strong’s G4202 – porneia –
- illicit sexual intercourse
  - adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals etc.
  - sexual intercourse with close relatives; Lev. 18
  - sexual intercourse with a divorced man or woman; Mk. 10:11-12
- metaph. the worship of idols
  - of the defilement of idolatry, as incurred by eating the sacrifices offered to idols
The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of *whoredoms and children of *whoredoms: for the land hath committed great *whoredom, departing from the LORD.
Hosea 1:2 KJV note: *Lexicon :: Strong’s H2183 – zᵊnûnîm
from Lexicon :: Strong’s H2181 – zānâ – A primitive root [highly-fed and therefore wanton]

Things Strangled – πνικτός pniktós, pnik-tos’

from G4155; throttled, i.e. (neuter concretely) an animal choked to death (not bled):—strangled.

and Blood – αἵματος – αἷμα Lexicon :: Strong’s G129 – haima of man or animals
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 καὶ τοῦ αἵματος - "from what has been strangled, and from blood." - ESV is best understood in the context of Leviticus, Book of the Priests, which provides some detail about Sacrifices to God, which Christ became by His own Blood, the flesh of our Lord Jesus pierced for our transgressions.
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The Sacrifice of Blood

Leviticus 17: ESV

וַיִּקְרָא (Leviticus) 17 :: Westminster Leningrad Codex (WLC)

וַיְדַבֵּר יְהוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה לֵּאמֹֽר׃

1. And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

10 “If any one of the house of Israel or of the strangers who sojourn among them eats any blood, I will set my face against that person who eats blood and will cut him off from among his people.

For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls,
for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.
Leviticus 17:11 ESV

12 Therefore I have said to the people of Israel, No person among you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger who sojourns among you eat blood.

13 “Any one also of the people of Israel, or of the strangers who sojourn among them, who takes in hunting any beast or bird that may be eaten shall pour out its blood and cover it with earth.

For the life of every creature is its blood: its blood is its life. Therefore I have said to the people of Israel, You shall not eat the blood of any creature, for the life of every creature is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off.
Leviticus 17:14 ESV

Letter from the Council

Acts 15:

²²Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas…

To Be Continued…
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.. with the text of their Epistle authorizing apostles for another mission to the Gentiles. 
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January 10, 2023
Truth for Gentiles who turn to God
How will the Jerusalem Council judge Gentiles according to the Jewish Law of Moses?

Acts 15

6 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter.

Simon Peter has testified.

“Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.
Acts of the Apostles 15:7b ESV

And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.
Acts of the Apostles 15:12 ESV

Response of Jerusalem’s Pastor James

¹³After they finished speaking, James replied,

“Brothers, listen to me. ¹⁴Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name.

Leaders and Witnesses of the Jerusalem council

Let’s be clear who is speaking and which leaders have witnessed the truth of events leading to a church meeting about the gentiles.

Simon Peter.

In verse 14 the King James and English Standard versions translate Συμεών from the Greek as Simeon; however the NKJV, NIV and other versions use “Simon” while the NLT uses the most familiar identification of the Apostle, “Peter.”

Barnabas and Paul

Their mission journey has brought about this council and clearly both are leaders in their testimony of the Holy Spirit to the Gentiles and leadership of the church at Antioch Syria.

James

And let’s not miss who now speaks a the representative pastor and leader of the local church at Jerusalem where the council meets.

It is none other than James brother of Jesus who was raised with the Lord, yet did not believe that his half-brother was the Christ, the prophesied Son of God until after Jesus’ resurrection at which time James became a faithful disciple called to lead the Jerusalem Church.

Witness of the Prophets

James refers to the Prophet Amos from ~760 BC and Samuel Prophet of David three hundred years before that.

“Brothers, listen to me. ¹⁴Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. ¹⁵And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,

¹⁶“‘After this I will return,
and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen;
I will rebuild its ruins,
     and I will restore it,
¹⁷that the remnant^[a] of mankind may seek the Lord,
    and all the Gentiles who are called by my name,
     says the Lord, who makes these things ¹⁸known from of old.’

In A.D. 49, James witnesses the promises of God to David a thousand years before. Now it seems that the kingdom promised to David is all but defeated.

The Temple of Solomon was destroyed, the Jews were captured and taken to Babylon and Persia. The distant hope witnessed by Amos and the Prophets seems near to slipping away once more at the hand of Rome (which will again destroy Jerusalem and Herod’s temple in A.D. 70).

Yet Scripture is true and God’s word comforting to those faithful few who wait for the Lord to save — for the Lord to redeem the captives who hold to His Name — saving them from God’s judgment of sin and eternal punishment and granting His true worshipers the glory of the kingdom of the root and the son of David. Yes, even the Nations of the world beyond the hills of Jerusalem.

Amos 9:

I saw the Lord standing beside the altar, and he said:
“Strike the capitals until the thresholds shake,
and shatter them on the heads of all the people;
and those who are left of them I will kill with the sword;
not one of them shall flee away;
not one of them shall escape.

8 Behold, the eyes of the Lord GOD are upon the sinful kingdom,
and I will destroy it from the surface of the ground,
except that I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob,”
declares the LORD.

“For behold, I will command,
and shake the house of Israel among all the nations
as one shakes with a sieve,
but no pebble shall fall to the earth.

All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword,
who say, ‘Disaster shall not overtake or meet us.’

This was just one judgment of Jerusalem!

Amos had prophesied it.

Twenty years earlier, the Sanhedrin of Herod which meets in this same Jerusalem as today’s council had crucified Jesus Christ, brother of James and Son of David. The leaders of a semi-captive Israel disregarded the revealed will and written word of the Lord God.

The Jewish council of Herod’s Temple had also slain the Apostle James by the sword, another politically expedient death which it thought would prevent the sword of Rome from overtaking their city of sin.

It didn’t. (For as most of us know Rome would destroy Jerusalem just twenty-one years from this time of the Christian Council in Jerusalem.)

Amos 9:11-12 (to which James refers)

“In that day I will raise up
the booth of David that is fallen
and repair its breaches,
and raise up its ruins
and rebuild it as in the days of old,

that they may possess the remnant of Edom
and all the nations who are called by my name,”
declares the LORD who does this.

It is a remnant of Edom. Yes even a remnant of Judah and Israel after these many centuries — only a remnant who remember the Lord their God and look for the redemption paid on the Cross for “all the nations who are called by my name, says the LORD.”

Judgment for the Gentiles

You have probably never thought of James, brother of Jesus, pastor of the Jerusalem church and author of a New Testament letter to the church as a Judge.

But this is his role here with the Council at Jerusalem.

The accusations (concerning circumcision) have been presented. Several witnesses have presented evidence about the truth of events where gentiles have interacted with Jewish witnesses (including the Apostles).

A defense of the truth by Barnabas and Paul recounts incidents for which some Jews have accused them of breaking the Law of Moses.

Pastor James, head of this Christian Sanhedrin gathering of Apostles and other leaders has even preceded his decision as Judge with Scriptural prophesy of their very actions concerning the gentiles. So here is his verdict speaking on behalf of this council at Jerusalem as its leader:

19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God
Acts of the Apostles 15:19 ESV – Verdict of the Council of Jerusalem pronounced by James

The verdict pronounced by James on behalf of the Council at Jerusalem, however, is conditional. Addressing the concerns of which Gentiles have turned to God by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, he continues with clarification of what the Council must do to go into the Gentile world with the Gospel.
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NEXT, God-willing, we will join James and the Council of Jerusalem as they take action by way of a letter and messengers sent on another mission trip to the Gentile Nations.
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January 9, 2023
James – a Greater Thunder and a lesser king
We know this about Jesus’ Apostles: twelve followed the Lord Jesus for three years .. everywhere. One of the twelve betrayed Him, but three Apostles were closer to Jesus than any man or woman born of this world

Peter, James the Greater, and John

– an inner circle of the Twelve.

You probably already know this about James and John:

and James, the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James (to them He gave the name Boanerges, which means, “Sons of Thunder”)
Gospel of Mark 3:17 Legacy Standard Bible

Thunder, Wild Horses & Swords

We know little about James the Greater, the older son of Zebedee, but as one of three leaders appointed by the Lord Christ Jesus, Herod will soon set his sights on all three of these Apostles.
- Peter led the Apostles and the Church after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension.
- John was the youngest Apostle and the younger brother of James; perhaps by a year, five years or maybe more; but John outlived them all until about A.D. 100.
- James and John had also both been disciples of John the Baptist before Christ took them in as part of His inner circle.
Now about that time Herod the king [Agrippa I] laid hands on some who belonged to the church in order to harm them.
Acts 12:1 :: Legacy Standard Bible (LSB)

Today we look back at a context of Acts 12 with an old connection to John the Baptist and Herod.

The Gospels, of course, proclaim the Good News that is to come out of all this conflict.

Ἡρῴδης – Herod – ‘a hero’
- †Ἡρώδης Hērṓdēs, hay-ro’-dace; compound of ἥρως hḗrōs (a “hero”) and G1491; heroic; Herod, the name of four Jewish kings:—Herod. – source: Lexicon :: Strong’s G2264 – hērōdēs
Let’s bring to mind some recent history etched in the minds of the Jews and the Herod’s; an awareness of John the Baptist and his disciples James and John, a relevance of national significance I will contemporize from this first century context.

Ἀγρίππας – [Herod] Agrippas – “Hero like”
- Apparently from ἄγριος (G66)
  - of men and animals in a moral sense, wild savage, fierce
- and ἵππος (G2462); a horse
To the Jews, Herod Agrippa is a ‘hero-like wild horse’, wielding a Jewish king’s sword against Rome (but also his enemies) with a desperate hope of restoring the glory of David’s kingdom a thousand years before, as his grandfather (Herod the Great) had begun to rebuild.

a 21st c. look at James the Greater
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Never forget that ALL Twelve of Jesus' Apostles (a Greek word of the common language of the Roman Empire) were Jews. Even in Galilee and Samaria Jews looked for a Messiah and hoped for a return of their kingdom. 

Faithful worshipers of the LORD knew Scripture in an anticipatory sense. Jews chosen by the One God in every captive Roman outpost of the A.D. first century looked longingly for their Messiah (Christ, in Greek) who will finally establish the Kingdom of the Lord in all the heavens and earth.
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ANY man who might stand against ANY king Herod (who is NOT the Messiah) or Caesar (who faithful Jews would not call, Lord) is a threat to the Roman Peace attained by Judea’s first family.
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Once again we will look at events preceding ACTS 12 as if it is today's date, in the year of our Lord, A.D. 2022. 
[All first century dates are approximate from various sources.]- RH
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- 2022 – Beginning of Acts 12
  - AD 44
- 2018 – Peter shares the Gospel with gentiles in Caesarea (James & John presumably would have continued to lead the church in Jerusalem during Peter’s mission trip.)
  - AD 40
- 2017 – Herod Antipas of Galilee, who had John the Baptist beheaded about ten years earlier, died.
  - AD 39
- 2015 – Saul of Tarsus comes to the Apostles after his conversion.
  - AD 37
- 2010 – Stephen, a leading disciple of The Way, sentenced by the Sanhedrin to death by stoning, after which Herod and the Jews authorize relentless persecution of disciples of Jesus’ Apostles.
  - AD 33
14 Years ago + An Eventful Year.
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A.D. 30 would have been fourteen years ago and might linger in the collective memory of the church like these contemporary memories:
Actual Events of 2007: iPhone announced;  Mitt Romney, Rudi Giuliani, John McCain, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Joe Biden and many others are running for President of the U.S.; 
or Actual Events of 2008: President Bush signs the $700 billion bailout / Rescue package bill; Fidel Castro steps down as president of Cuba; Iraq war costs $3 trillion.
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- 2008 + Jesus Christ interrogated by the Sanhedrin and scourged by Romans, crucified on a Cross, raised from death, left a sealed tomb and appeared to the Apostles and hundreds of other disciples!
  - The risen Lord Jesus also sent the Holy Spirit to believers on Pentecost.
  - Peter and disciples of Jesus proclaimed the Gospel in the Temple and
  - Accompanying signs and miracles sent by the Lord confirmed their teaching.
  - Therefore many Jews follow the Apostles’ teachings and believe in Jesus as the Messiah of God.
  - ALL this in ~AD 30!
James the Greater, of course, was in town [Jerusalem] to witness all of this recent history along with the other Apostles.

During JESUS’ earthly ministry:
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~AD 2006-2008 in our contemporized scenario:
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- 2006 – A great new prophet John baptizes Jesus in the Jordan River. Then Jesus calls Twelve Apostles to “follow Him.” James and John, already disciples of John the Baptist, follow Jesus.
  - AD 28 {3 years before Jesus was crucified}
Luke 9:

And calling the twelve together, He gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases. And He sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. .. And departing, they were going from village to village, proclaiming the gospel and healing everywhere.

Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead..

And Herod said, “I myself had John beheaded, but who is this man about whom I hear such things?” And he kept trying to see Him.
Gospel of Luke 9:9 LSB – Herod inquiring about miracles of the Messiah Jesus and his Apostles

JESUS was confrontational in the mind of Herod, just as John had been before the king had the Baptist beheaded.

James the Great vs. an unbelieving Samaritan village

[Some disciples of Jesus] ..entered a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him. But they did not receive Him..

And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But He turned and rebuked them..
Gospel of Luke 9:54-55a LSB

Why would James the Greater believe that he could command such judgment on an entire village?

Because Peter, James and John had witnessed that Jesus IS God in flesh and blood!

James the Greater, like Peter or like King Herod for that matter, is the kind of imposing man who wants to take charge.

Gospel of the Apostle Matthew 20:

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Him with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him. And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit one on Your right and one on Your left.”
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Mark records in his Gospel:
Then James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, came up to Jesus, saying to Him, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You.” - Mark 10:35
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But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They said to Him, “We are able.” He said to them, “My cup you shall drink; but to sit on My right and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.”
Matthew 20:22-23 LSB – Jesus’ answer to the sons of thunder..
Remember our Lord’s assurance to James the Greater and to John: “My cup you shall drink..”

James the Greater – a closeness to Jesus

Peter and James and John all held close their friendship of Jesus, their Lord and Master Teacher, during those three years of Christ’s earthly incarnation.

The Gospel of Luke 9:

Now it happened.. that taking along Peter and John and James, He went up on the mountain to pray.
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Mark adds some detail in his Gospel: *brought them up on a high mountain alone by themselves. 
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And it happened that while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and [flashing like lightning].
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James, John and Simon Peter were the only mortal men on that mountain with the Lord.
But then:
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And behold, two men were talking with Him, and they were Moses and Elijah, who, appearing in [splendor], were speaking of His [exodus] which He was about to fulfill at Jerusalem.
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Note here a similar failing of the flesh of Jesus' three closest friends, their inattention to the prayers of this Son of Man even as they would later fall asleep in Gethsemane. After the Lord's death and resurrection the three Apostles would confess their mortal limitations on both occasions.
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Now Peter and his companions had been overcome with sleep, but when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men standing with Him.
Gospel of Luke 9:32 LSB
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Jesus, with a face like lightning! The Prophet Elijah and Moses the LORD's shepherd of the Hebrews during their forty year exodus from slavery in Egypt appear with Jesus! 
All witnessed by Peter, John and James.

As if that wasn't enough GOOD NEWS on the mountaintop, similar to the sign at Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist, the LORD speaks!
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.. a cloud [occurred] and began to overshadow them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.
Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!”
Gospel of Luke 9:34b-35 LSB
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James the Greater, along with his brother and Simon, kept silent about this in those days, Luke records later. 
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Fulfillment of Fourteen Years in Jerusalem

In the minds of the Jews (including Herod) James was a likely successor to Jesus.

Ἰάκωβος – James

Did you know that James is a common name in Israel? i.e. James the Great AND James the Less are both Apostles

It’s the same as Ἰακώβ, which even in Greek looks like the name of its Hebrew root:: יַעֲקֹב

Jacob, who the LORD renamed, Israel.

Along with Simon Peter (when he was not on a journey of his own) and his brother John, James the Greater proclaimed the Gospel of the risen Christ Jesus in Jerusalem.

James proclaimed the Gospel in the Temple courtyards and streets of Jerusalem and led the daily lives of so many new followers of The Way. He worked in the leadership of the Twelve, which now included Mathias in place of Judas Iscariot.

“Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?”
Luke 9:54b – [likely the words of James the Greater]

And this Greater Apostle of the inner circle of the Messiah of Israel would have recalled the rebuke of the Lord in a newfound daily humility in serving his risen Lord, the Christ Jesus.

But He turned and rebuked them, and said,

“You do not know what kind of spirit you are of,

for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”

And they went on to another village.

.. whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me;
for the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great.”
Gospel of Luke 9:48b – invitation of Jesus Christ & humility in following Him

Acts of the Apostles 12:

Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church in order to harm them.

And he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword.
Acts of the Apostles 12:2 LSB – Herod Agrippa I executes James the Greater

To be continued…
August 9, 2022