Bible Question: why was Apostle James the first to be killed? Why was he always choosen, and why was he considered the first? |
Bible Answer: Angelnewheart, James appeared to be the leader ofd the Jerusalem Church community where most of the enemies of the Church were and where they had the influence to be able to get someone kiled ( think Jesus as well as James in Acts 12:2-3). Stephen was actually the first martyr first (Acts 7) in much else. Waht else was James considered first in? A few facts indicating Peter’s primacy among the Apostles seems in order. In the New Testament, Peter, under his various names, Simon, Peter, Cephas, Kephas, Simon Peter, is mentioned 195 times. The closest after him is the Apostle John mentioned 29 times. Whenever all the names of the Apostles are listed Peter is always first and Judas Iscariot is always last. Matt 10:2-5, Mark 3:16-19, Luke 6:14-17, Acts 1:13. Sometimes they are referred to only as “Peter and his companions” or in a similar manner. Luke 9:32, Mark 16:7, Acts 2:37. Peter is seen as the spokesman for the the whole group in Matt 18:21, Mark 8:29, Luke 8:45, Luke 12:41, John 6:68-69. What examples do we have in scripture of Peter exercising this authority? They are found in Acts 1:15 Peter leads the other apostles in the selection of Matthias to succeed Judas in his office. Acts 2:14 Peter is first to proclaim the Gospel at Pentecost. Acts 3:1-12 The first public miracle is worked through Peter. Acts 4:8-12 Peter professes the faith before the Sanhedrin. Acts 5:1-5 Peter exercises Church discipline on Ananias and Sapphira dramatically and Acts 5:3-10 speaks with amazing and frightening authority. Acts 5:15 The faith of the people in Peter’s authority is demonstrated by their actions. Acts 8:14-15 Peter goes to Samaria to lay on hands so the Holy Spirit would come. Acts 8:20-24 Peter speaks for the Apostles rebuking Simon Magus. Acts 10:1-48 Peter baptizes the first Gentiles into the Church. Acts 11:18 Peter’s authority in baptizing Gentiles is accepted after he explains actions. His decision was binding on the Jewish Christians to accept the Gentiles and loosing for the Gentiles, loosing them from any obligation to be circumcised. Acts 15:1-35 At the Council of Jerusalem after much debate on the matter of the Gentiles Peter again states his position on the question. The assembly falls silent, Paul and Barnabas speak, and James accepts and supports Peter’s doctrinal declaration. James then addresses the issues of minimum disciplines the Gentiles must practice, now that they are accepted without having to be circumcised. Emmaus |
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Questions and/or Subjects for NT general Archive 1 | Author | ||
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LSmith | ||
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angelnewheart | ||
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Emmaus | ||
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angelnewheart | ||
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ppizzuti | ||
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nakia1980 | ||
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Tan_Flipper | ||
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monkeyman92833 | ||
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mobisa | ||
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IBLONG2GOD | ||
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DBR |