James The Elder

The Greek Text is more or less ordered in a chronological manner. The gospel accounts are followed by Acts and then the letters of Paul somewhat in the order of Paul's missionary journeys with 2 Timothy near the end of Paul's epistles and life, as it is written, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith" (2 Tim 4:7). The letters of James, Peter, Jude, and John are somewhat relegated to the "other writings" just as the Jewish text has Moses, the Prophets, and the Writings.

However, had the writings of the Greek text been ordered in theological authority, I think the writings would have been much different. The gospels would have remained at the beginning and possibly Acts, but the next book would have been James. Why James you ask? Because he stands as the authority among all the Apostles to bind or loose in the New Testament. Look no farther than the Apostolic counsel of Acts chapter 15 to understand that James the authority who established how the treatment of the Gentiles would be handled. You say, "I thought that was Paul and Peter?"

Both these men had visions, but the New Testament church still possessed a heirarchy of authority patterned after the Jewish model. Local synagogue where a matter would be decided by the majority of three elders, thus "on the basis of two or three witnesses will a matter by confirmed". If however, a majority of two could not be achieved, then the matter was ultimately elevated to the 71 member Sanhedrin. In a similar manner, the church looked toward Jerusalem as the authority in church matters. Even thought Paul had a revelation, that revelation still had to be confirmed by elders in Jerusalem. In his letter to the Galatians, Paul wrote, "It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them (James, Peter, and John) the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain" (Gal 2:2).

Although Paul had a vision on the road to Damascus, that vision had to be supported by the authority in Jerusalem. Had James said, "I am not sure about that Paul, I think Gentiles still need to be circumcised" scripture indicates that would have been the ruling, Paul would have run his race in vain, and we would be circumcised and total Torah keepers. This should be a lesson to each of us that we can never stand on a revelation or vision we might have or hear alone. Each matter must be confirmed on the testimony of two or three witnesses. That's why I think it was paramount in scripture that both Peter and Paul had visions related to the Gentile question. Even though Peter had been trusted with the gospel "to the circumcised" (Gal 2:7), it was required that he have a vision to confirm the instructions given to Paul.

How great was the authority of James and the elders in Jerusalem? There is an interesting quote from the uncannonized letter about Peter called "Pseudoclementine Recognitions" which was in the book I am reading (26 Reasons). The passage gives some insight into the perceived authority of the Elders in Jerusalem...

"Observe with great caution, that you believe no teacher, unless he brings the testimony of James, the Lord's brother from Jerusalem, or whomever comes after him. Under no circumstances, receive anyone or consider him a worthy or faithful teacher for preaching the word of Christ, unless he had gone up there and been approved and as I say, brings a testimonial (letter) from there" (Pseudoclementine Recognitions 4:25)

We have at least one example in scripture of a letter (Acts 15:22) sent from the elders in Jerusalem to the believing churches. This letter was received as authoritative and Paul would refer to James, Peter, and John as "pillars", a reference to authority.

We might now understand the significance of men "the coming of certain men from James" (Gal 2:12) to Peter. Men from the corporate headquarters with all authority were coming to check in on Peter to see if he was operating according to the approved directives. For an instant in time, Peter was unsure whether or not the proper approvals had been received to act and preach in the manner Peter was following. Within the Catholic Church, the series of Popes reportedly began with Peter. From scripture and the actions of Peter, it would appear that the first recognized earthly authority over the church is clearly James.

It is interesting that the book of James would seem to be much more focused on works than grace. Some in the early Protestant Reform movement had difficulty reconciling the book of James to the writings of Paul. Yet in order of authority, it seems that the book of James should be greater and the writings of Paul should be reconciled to James and not the other way around. After all, Paul called himself, "the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle" (1 Cor 15:9).

I pray all is well with each and every one. Scott