There are several disciples named James in the New Testament. Two men called James are mentioned in Luke 6:12-19. There is James Zebedee, and James Alphaeus. Then there is James the brother of Jesus and son of Mary or as Paul mentions James, the Lord's brother. All were apostles and ministered in the Spirit of God. Each held a specific purpose and helped lead the church. There is some discussion that James of Alphaeus and James who is referred as the Lord's brother are the same person. This chapter will not discuss this issue but we will stick to the scriptures. I do not believe they are the same person.

Matt. 4:21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father mending their nets; and he called them. 22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him. The Master called James of Zebedee and chose him to be one of the Apostles. He was later martyred.

Acts l2:1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. 2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. It is believed he was beheaded. He served with the original twelve and helped set up the order of the church. When Jesus came upon James, he was mending nets. Oh, how the church needs this ministry today. When Jesus called some of his other disciples he told them to follow him and he would make them fishers of men.

What angler goes fishing with a net full of holes? He must repair his net so he will be ready for the next catch. It is time for our net mending to prepare for the new day that will bring many to the Lord. We certainly have a great sea in which to do our fishing. In the book of Nehemiah when the Jews were restoring the city, they had to repair the fish gate. In this day, we will also leave the ship of our father and follow him. For too long now the churches have been trying to catch fish in order to support their own traditions and their own ministries.

Many churches have grown inward and only care for their own. If you don't believe this try saying something that is not traditional teaching in your local church. You will see how quick you will be thrust out of the community of the so-called believers and brothers. We have only to look at Jesus ministry and the ministry of the twelve. The religious system of that day sought to kill each ministry. When Herod killed James, he saw that it pleased the Jews.

Religion has no problem killing. It has been doing it for centuries. Muslims and Christians have been at war killing each other all in the name of religion. Hitler killed the Jews, Mao killed the Christians in China, and Nero fed the believers to hungry lions, the Jews sought to kill the apostles and the list goes on and on and has not stopped. However, the mark of true religion is to care for the poor, visit the widows and help restore your brother, not slay him. Any religion that does otherwise is not of God no matter how fanatic the believer. Luke 15 Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes. Mark 2:14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me.

And he arose and followed him. Gal. 1:19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.

James Alphaeus Lebbaeus: When we combine the meaning of James, Levi and Alphaeus we can discover some interesting insights into these disciples characters. There are only five verses in the bible, mentioning Aphpuus. The meaning of his name comes from the word chalaph meaning to slide by, to pass &way or be abolished and replaced by something new, springing forth. Certainly, this is James experience. What was once his life changed when the Master called. He never went back to his old life. May, we never go back to our old life. May we let the law be abolished so we can walk in the grace. Levi is the prime root to twine or cleave by joining. He clung to the Lord and was still there when the disciples met in the upper room. James means the heel-catcher or one who seizes his heel. All of them followed the Lord as those that seized his heel until they accomplished the Lord's purpose in their lives. Jacob grabs the heel of his twin brother, Esau during their birth. Esau means red and it is written Gen. 26:24 And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. 25 And the first came out red, all over like a hairy garment; and they called his name Esau. Esau came with his own covering while Jacob was born hairless. Hair on the head is a symbol of anointing but on the body it can be a sign of self-covering or the beastly nature. Jacob had to face his brother several times. He had to come to grips with his beastly nature.

Gen. 32:25 When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched, the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. 26 Then the man said "Let me go, for it is daybreak "But Jacob replied, I will not let you go unless you bless me." 27 The man asked him, What is your name?" “Jacob" he answered. 28 Then the man said, 'Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you hove struggled with God and with men and have overcome." Gen 33:2 He put the maidservants and their children in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph in the rear. 3 He himself went on ahead and bowed down to the ground seven times as he approached his brother. Genesis 33:16 So that day Esau started on his way back to Sier. 17 Jacob, however, went to Succoth, where he built a place for himself and. made shelters for his livestock. That is why the place is called. Succoth. Jacob meets Esau after he wrestled with the Angel of the Lord all night. After this wrestling match he went to meet Esau his twin. Esau sees him in the distance and notices that he is bowing and limping. This is not without significance.

When we have an encounter with the power and authority of God in our lives, we will face our other self: the self that destroys everything in our life from God even our birthright. This self refuses to bow to the authority of Christ. The self is portrayed in Esau. Up to this time in Jacob's life, we do not really see anything different between Esau and Jacob. Certainly, there is no difference in their nature. The only difference is what God has said. Esau have I hated but Jacob have I loved. God blessed Jacob but God also helped Esau. Both had great possessions and a large family and became a Nation. Notice how Jacob bows to Esau. "I am your servant.”

The significance of these actions shows how the true nature of God operates within our lives. We must first come to grips and acknowledge Esau within us. Only when God has confronted us and changed our nature can we do this. 'You shall be called Israel." Jacob fled from Esau when his mother Rachel heard that Esau planned to slay Jacob.

We may think we can flee from our Esau nature but eventually we must face our Esau before we can be separate from him. The flesh is at war with the spirit. However, there comes a time when this war ends. When we can face our dual self and eventually we can walk away from its nature. Esau went to Sier, a place of storms and wind but Jacob went to Succoth, a booth or place to tabernacle, just like the Feast of Tabernacles. We become a new creature with the power to walk away from the twin, the duality that cares nothing for God.

"If we walk in the Spirit we do not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” The lust of the flesh is when we try to walk in our own power and not in the Spirit. We cannot hide from our old nature nor can we flee to another dimension to escape its hold over us. We are better off when we look face to face with our other self. Acknowledge its presence and not resist in the flesh but resist in the power of His might. Then we will be free to walk away from the bitter twin and prepare our booths for the Feast of Tabernacles.

Gal. 1:19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother. Jude 1:1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:

John 7:2 Now the Jews feast of tabernacles was at hand. 3 His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. 4 For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. 6 For neither did his brethren believe in him 6 Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is always ready. 7 The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. 8 Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come.

James 7:7 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. We read how James introduces himself not as the brother of Jesus but the servant of God and the Lord Jesus. Now in a sense, we are all brothers to the Lord and we must realize we are also servants of our Master and God. When we look at the life of James, the Lord’s brother, we witness one of the most remarkable transitions of a man's nature. During the ministry of Jesus, we see the brethren of Jesus do not trust or believe in him. They even ridicule him somewhat but James follows the Lord. We do not know when he became a follower and a disciple, but we know his transformation helped change the world.

The best way for us to become acquainted with this apostle is to read his letter. His insights are superb and bring to us a balanced approach to our faith is Jesus Christ. It is through the teaching of James we learn not to have the faith of God, with respect of persons. I hear his voice ring out with this teaching. James 2:1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons, I would that every believer would hear his voice.

Today, the church is filled with the rich who have the faith with respect of person and position. It is a shame to mention this even at this time. There seems to be clicks in every group. The church for some is a place to buy respect and position. Faith without works is dead. This is one of the most interesting controversies among the “dead.” Some scholars have even reported that James was at odds with Paul--that they had doctrinal differences among the apostles concerning their writings. However, as we examine the scriptures we will be able to reach a simple conclusion. Our faith does not originate from ourselves. Our faith is given birth and generated by the word of God. Faith comes by hearing; hearing the word of God. You are not born with faith nor are you able to cause it to spring forth out of yourself. Faith is not the same as believing in an ideology. Gal. 3.22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith, which should afterwards be revealed. You see faith came by Jesus. Now you see, at one time faith was not here. It could only get here by Jesus. However, when faith takes root in us through the word of God it creates in us the ability to see with our mind and heart into a realm of God we did not know. As the faith grows in us, it creates belief and we produce faith. We become a faith machine producing more faith as the word of God creates more faith.

Many Christians have not had this experience. It is what we call being born again. It is not having your mind change from one philosophy to another or from one political group to another or from one religion to another. It is a process separate from your own being, created in you by the word of God. Therefore, James concludes that if you have this kind of faith it will also create in you a visible outcome expressed through the real world. Your faith is alive in you by the word of God through the separate and unique power of God. Faith will create in you a visible outcome generated in you by the power of the Holy Ghost.

Just what are the works that James makes clear in him letter? Is it winning souls and having a great ministry? We already know he told us not to have the faith of God with respect of persons. Nevertheless, James explains further...James 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them. Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body, what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works is dead, being alone.

Can it be any plainer? Do you see how faith is on both sides of the works? Look at faith as the two pieces of bread and the filling is the work. The work is seeing a brother in need and helping your brother out. How complicated is that? A faith sandwich with the proper filling inside will feed your brother when he is in need. Now I can send my money to a distant country and feed the poor through some great helps organization or I can look around me and help the needs of those who are at arms reach. Money I send to other countries may get there but what I do around me in my own sphere of influences is something I can count on today. It is okay to do both but not miss the mark that is under your own nose. James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. This is a faith working by love.

Opening your heart to your own surroundings and seeing your neighbor who needs salvation. Visiting our neighbor and those who have not met the Father and helping those without their true husband. Jesus. This is an act of true faith. In the New Testament Peter, James and John told Paul to continue to help the poor. Gal. 2:9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. 10 Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do. The word forward in the Greek is spoudazo. It means to do something speedily with great enthusiasms and purpose and to do it right away with out delay. This scripture should also show us that there was no debate between Paul and James concerning the definition of faith. The Gospel always addresses the needs of the poor. Moreover, if we have faith we will not ignore our chance to restore a brother in distress.

James 3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. 13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. In these verses, James brings us to the laver for washing by the word. James points out that our mouth is to be a fountain and is to send forth...sweet water in order to bless the hearer. Revelation 14:5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

In other words, we are to be a laver that men can go to for fresh water. Instead of an inanimate piece of furniture, standing in the tabernacle we should be a living laver providing good conversation in wisdom that can bless those who stand before us. When we bless others, we help them to keep themselves in the love of God. We help them to become clean even as the priests washed themselves at the laver. Before they could do any service in the tabernacle, the priests had to wash themselves daily. No service was performed without this washing. No priestly garments worn until there was the washing at the laver. No praise offered and no sacrifice committed. Who among us is wise? Those who wash daily at the laver and who understand they are a living laver helping to remind themselves daily of their priestly functions and offering the sacrifice of praise and the continued blessing of others. The brazen laver was made of the women's looking glass or mirrors that allow them to see their own reflection and the reflection of others.

Job 37:18 Hast thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass? James 1:23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth that manner of man he was.

Let the sons of God rise up With their swords in hand. As they embrace every word of the Father's command. This day the Lord has ordained His mature sons rising up to take over the land, bringing forth in this world God's righteous domain. Winning the mind of every wandering soul and leaving no heart behind.