Lesson No. 22

JAMES

KEY WORD—“WORKS.”

KEY VERSE—James 2:20.

KEY PHRASE—“SHOW YOUR FAITH BY YOUR WORKS.”

WRITER—James, “the Lord’s brother.” Our Lord’s other half-brothers were Joseph, Simon and Jude (the latter wrote the epistle bearing his name). They were all unbelievers until after Christ’s resurrection, John 7:5. But the fact that they with the other disciples, continued steadfastly in prayer, and waited for the gift of the Holy Spirit, Acts 1:14, shows that they were ardent believers in the Lord by that time.

DATE, PLACE and OCCASION—About 60 A.D., from Jerusalem. The Christians to whom it was written had not ceased to be Jews. Many of them, converted at Pentecost, had carried home only a partial understanding of Christianity. On their enthusiasm at having found the true Messiah, they neglected Christian virtues, graces and works, and proclaimed everywhere that in order to be saved, all that was necessary was to believe that Jesus of Nazareth was the true Messiah and Savior.

PURPOSE—To exhort Christians to show their faith by their works and to be patient under trials.

Great Fact I -- Patience in Trials.

Great Fact II -- A Dead Faith Cannot Save.

Great Fact III -- True Faith Will Control the Tongue.

Great Fact IV -- Worldliness Rebuked.