In this episode, we explore the life and martyrdom of James the Just, brother of Jesus and a key figure in the early Christian church. Learn about his role in the Jerusalem Council, his reputation for piety, and his death as a witness to his faith.

Episode Overview

• Introduction to the various James figures in the New Testament
• James' early life and initial skepticism towards Jesus' ministry
• James' conversion after witnessing the resurrected Christ
• His role as a "pillar" of the early church and reputation for piety
• The Jerusalem Council and James' role in resolving disputes over Gentile converts
• Detailed account of James' martyrdom in 62 AD
• Parallels between James' death and Jesus' crucifixion

Discussion Questions

• How does James' journey from skeptic to church leader inspire your own faith journey?
• What can we learn from James' balance of adhering to Jewish traditions while embracing Christian beliefs?
• How can we apply the wisdom demonstrated at the Jerusalem Council to modern church conflicts?
• In what ways can we emulate James' forgiveness towards his persecutors in our own lives?
• How does James' martyrdom challenge us to stand firm in our faith, even in the face of opposition?

For other questions and comments, feel free to reach out to Jared at thechurchhistoryproject@gmail.com. For more content, visit the podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠or wherever you find your podcasts.

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