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Evidence ID: HIS-EV57
Evidence: Conversion of Jesus' Brother James
Summary: There was a marked change in James, the brother of Jesus, after Jesus' resurrection. He was dramatically transformed from a skeptic to a prominent leader in the Jerusalem church. His journey from skeptic to believer can only be explained by the appearance of the risen Jesus.
Description: Being raised in the same household does not guarantee that siblings will understand and get along with each other. Such is the case with Jesus and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas (Matthew 13:55).
According to John 7:1-5, Jesus' brothers completely misunderstood the purpose of his life and ministry. For them, it was all about Jesus rising to fame through his ability to perform miracles. They wanted to show him off to the crowds in Judea as a miracle worker, even at the expense of Jesus' safety. They wanted to exploit Jesus' power, perhaps for their own gain.
John parenthetically asserts that Jesus' brothers did not really believe he was the Messiah.
For not even his brothers believed in him. (John 7:5)
They merely saw him as a rabbi who was blessed by God to perform miracles.
Prior to Jesus' crucifixion, James and his brothers were notably absent from the biblical narrative except for the John 7:1-9 and Mark 3:21 passages. In these passages we learn that James and his brothers were unbelieving and cynical. They repeatedly challenged Jesus' motives and actions.
We can assume from these accounts, that friction developed between Jesus and his brothers. This may have led to an estrangement. This is most evident at Jesus crucifixion.
According to John 19:26-27, James and his brothers were not present at the foot of the cross to attend Mary, their mother, during her time of agony. Only John the beloved disciple was present. Moreover, John was commissioned by Jesus to care for Mary, not James or the brothers. The utter lack of family responsibility on the part of James and the brother would have been regarded as dishonoring and disgraceful.
What would have caused James and his brother Jude to believe? Certainly, Jesus' miracles and fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies were not enough to convince them.
Based on the writings of Paul and the apostolic fathers, James believed and rose to a very influential position in the early Christian church. In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul mentions James as one who saw the risen Jesus in the flesh.
Then Jesus appeared to James, then to all the apostles. (1 Corinthians 15:7)
Paul likely learned of James’ conversion when he visited James on his return from Arabia (Galatians 1:19).
Perhaps the reason Paul explicitly mentions James in the creed is because James was already a prominent leader in the church at the time the creed originated. This would have placed James' elevation to leader of the Jerusalem church council to within five years after the crucifixion. Mentioning James provided the rationale for his belief and call of leadership in the church.
James is referred to as a pillar in the church (Galatians 2:9). He was also a pious Jew and who strictly observed the Old Testament law. (Galatians 2:11-13, Acts 15:19-21). He was called James the Just by apostolic father Clement of Alexandra [REF-CEL09] and second century chronicler Hegesippus [REF-CEL08].
According to church history, James was martyred for his faith. The apostolic father Clement of Alexandra attests that James was beaten and stoned to death. Other references to James' martyrdom include [REF-HAB02]:
James' martyrdom was attested by both Christian and non-Christian sources.
As with other Christian martyrs, James was convinced that Jesus rose from the dead.
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