Two Jameses 

Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword (Acts 12:1-2).


Two men named James were important disciples in the Bible. The first one was John's brother, the son of Zebedee. He was one of the first disciples to join Jesus in His ministry. Mark 1:19-21 tells us James and John were at the seashore helping their father with his fishing business when Jesus called them to follow Him, and they remained with Him until His ascension. In fact, they were present at many of the events recorded in the gospels. James is believed to be the first of the twelve disciples to be martyred. Herod had him killed by the sword.


For neither did his brethren believe in him (John 7:5).

Fast forward a number of years, and the second James was the brother of Jesus. He became an important leader in the early church and was present during Paul's time. As Warren Wiersbe states in his book, Be Free, however, "Our Lord's brothers and sisters did not believe in Him during His earthly ministry." Paul writes that the risen Christ appeared to James and changed this (1 Corinthians 15:7). He helped make the important decision that Gentiles did not have to follow the Jewish rules and traditions to be saved. We get the Book of James from this apostle, and the teachings there are practical and deep. According to the historian, Josephus, James was stoned to death.

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him (James 1:12).

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