Topical Bible: The Resurrection of Christ: He Appeared After to James

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The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a foundational event in Christian theology, signifying His victory over death and His divine nature. Among the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus, His appearance to James holds particular significance, especially considering James' role in the early Church.

Biblical Account

The specific mention of Jesus appearing to James is found in 1 Corinthians 15:7, where the Apostle Paul writes, "Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles" . This appearance is part of a larger passage where Paul outlines the sequence of Christ's post-resurrection appearances, underscoring the reality and importance of the resurrection.

James: The Brother of Jesus

James, to whom Jesus appeared, is traditionally understood to be James the Just, the brother of Jesus. Initially, James and his siblings were skeptical of Jesus' ministry, as indicated in John 7:5, "For even His own brothers did not believe in Him" . However, the post-resurrection appearance of Jesus to James is seen as a pivotal moment that transformed him from skepticism to faith.

Role in the Early Church

Following this transformative encounter, James became a prominent leader in the early Christian community. He is recognized as the head of the Jerusalem Church, a position of significant influence and responsibility. The Book of Acts and the Epistle of James, attributed to him, reflect his leadership and theological contributions. Acts 15:13-21 records James' decisive role in the Council of Jerusalem, where he provided guidance on the inclusion of Gentile believers.

Theological Significance

The appearance of the risen Christ to James is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it serves as a testament to the transformative power of the resurrection. James' conversion from disbelief to a leading apostle underscores the authenticity and impact of the resurrection event. Secondly, it highlights the personal nature of Jesus' post-resurrection appearances, as He sought out individuals who would become key figures in the spread of the Gospel.

Historical and Apologetic Implications

From a historical and apologetic perspective, the appearance to James is a compelling piece of evidence for the resurrection. James' initial skepticism, followed by his leadership in the early Church, suggests a genuine encounter with the risen Christ. This transformation is often cited in apologetic arguments as a testament to the truth of the resurrection, as it is unlikely that James would have assumed such a role without a profound personal experience.

Conclusion

The appearance of the resurrected Christ to James is a significant event that underscores the transformative power of the resurrection and the authenticity of the Christian faith. James' subsequent leadership in the early Church and his contributions to Christian doctrine highlight the enduring impact of this encounter.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Corinthians 15:7
After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Whether Christ Ought to have Lived Constantly with his Disciples ...
... Reply to Objection 2: That Christ did not stay ... to accept the faith in His Resurrection
from the ... Evangelists, Luke and John, write that He appeared in Jerusalem ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ ought to have 3.htm

Eleventh Sunday after Trinity Paul's Witness to Christ's ...
... Eleventh Sunday After Trinity PAUL'S WITNESS TO CHRIST'S RESURRECTION ... as to the child
untimely born, he appeared to me ... PAUL'S WITNESS TO CHRIST'S RESURRECTION. ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/eleventh sunday after trinity pauls.htm

Christ Appears to Five Hundred Believers; to his Brother James to ...
... Christ next appeared to more than five hundred ... He acknowledges his exclamation as
an expression of the ... be confined solely to Christ's resurrection; they refer ...
/.../section 302 christ appears to.htm

The Eve of the Resurrection.
The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ. ... The Eve of the Resurrection. ... and
presenting her to them, said, 'Behold Mary, behold my Mother.' He appeared to me ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter lx the eve of.htm

First and Second Appearances of the Risen Christ. The Resurrection ...
... [Christ's first question expressed kindly sympathy; the second suggested ... bring them
word of the resurrection.] ^dI have ... they, when they heard that he was alive ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxxxv first and second appearances.htm

Christ Risen
... Fourth strove to tell him what passed after he was wounded ... Yet it is certain that
the resurrection of Jesus ... If Christ were not risen, how came these despairing ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 16 1-18 christ risen.htm

On Our Lord's Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension
... A. Christ stayed on earth forty days after His ... After Our Lord's resurrection He remained
on earth forty days ... He appeared to His Apostles and others in all about ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 8 on our lords.htm

After These Points, Celsus Proceeds to Bring against the Gospel ...
... account, that He was not seen after His resurrection in the ... that which I also received,
how that Christ died for ... After that He was seen of James, then of all ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lxiii after these points.htm

The Resurrection of Christ.
... genius of the Bible, discusses the resurrection of Christ ... Nevertheless he makes the
strong statement (p.69 ... historically more certain than that Christ rose from ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 19 the resurrection of.htm

Preface
... lake of Galilee, when our Lord appeared to the ... Apostle Peter,--the very Apostle who,
after denying his ... to be "a witness of Christ's resurrection." He was to be ...
/.../ryle/the upper room being a few truths for the times/preface.htm