Topical Encyclopedia James, often referred to as James the Greater, was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ and the son of Zebedee and Salome. He is distinguished from James the Less, another apostle, by his designation as "the Greater," which likely refers to either his age or his prominence among the disciples. James was the brother of John, the beloved disciple, and together they were known as the "Sons of Thunder" (Mark 3:17).Biblical Account of James' Martyrdom The martyrdom of James is recorded in the New Testament in the Book of Acts. Acts 12:1-2 states, "About that time, King Herod reached out to harm some who belonged to the church. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword." This passage indicates that James was the first of the apostles to be martyred, and his death marked a significant moment of persecution for the early Christian church. Historical Context James' martyrdom occurred during the reign of Herod Agrippa I, who ruled Judea from AD 41 to 44. Herod Agrippa was known for his efforts to appease the Jewish population, and his persecution of the early Christians was likely an attempt to gain favor with the Jewish leaders who opposed the burgeoning Christian movement. The execution of James by the sword suggests a Roman method of capital punishment, indicating the political and religious tensions of the time. Significance in Early Christianity James' martyrdom holds a place of profound significance in early Christian history. As one of the inner circle of Jesus' disciples, which included Peter and John, James was a key figure in the early church. His willingness to face death for his faith exemplified the commitment and courage that characterized the apostles and inspired subsequent generations of Christians. The martyrdom of James also served to galvanize the early Christian community, reinforcing their resolve in the face of persecution. It highlighted the reality of the cost of discipleship, as Jesus had foretold in Matthew 20:22-23 , where He asked James and John, "Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?" and affirmed that they would indeed share in His sufferings. Legacy and Veneration James' legacy as a martyr has been honored throughout Christian history. He is venerated as a saint in various Christian traditions, and his feast day is celebrated on July 25th in the Western Church. The pilgrimage route known as the Camino de Santiago, or the Way of St. James, leads to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Spain, where tradition holds that his remains are interred. The account of James' martyrdom continues to inspire Christians to remain steadfast in their faith, even in the face of adversity. His life and death serve as a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel and the enduring hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ. Torrey's Topical Textbook Acts 12:2And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. Torrey's Topical Textbook Greek 993. Boanerges -- Boanerges, an epithet applied to the two sons of ... ... suggest the calling of fire from heaven to consume the inhospitable Samaritan village (Lk 9:54); which marked James as the victim of an early martyrdom (Ac 12:2 ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/993.htm - 8k Library The Martyrdom of James Concerning the Martyrdom of James, the Brother of the Lord, from ... The Martyrdom of James, who was Called the Brother of the Lord. The Martyrdom of James the Apostle. Martyrdom of St. Acepsimas and of his Companions. James the Brother of the Lord. Symeon Rules the Church of Jerusalem after James. Chronology of the Apostolic Age. Harmless Fires Whether Faith Alone is the Cause of Martyrdom? Resources How did Timothy die? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the seven seals of Revelation? | GotQuestions.org Can people in heaven look down and see us? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Martyrdom is Death Endured for the Word of God, and Testimony of Christ Martyrdom of Saints, Shall be Avenged Martyrdom: Ahimelech and his Fellow Priests Martyrdom: General Scriptures Concerning Martyrdom: Inflicted at the Instigation of the Devil Martyrdom: Prophets and Saints of Old Martyrdom: Prophets Killed by Jezebel Martyrdom: Saints: Forewarned of Martyrdom: Saints: should be Prepared For Martyrdom: Saints: should not Fear Martyrdom: Saints: should Resist Sin To Martyrdom: The Apostasy Guilty of Inflicting Related Terms |
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