Posted by Searcher on 8/28/2009, 12:40 pm, in reply to "Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the end of the earth"
75.105.0.38
Dear Ray,
James is one of the earliest books written in the NT. It is Jewish in character and belongs to the Pentecostal period when the assemblies met in synagogues. (James 2:2 assembly = Gr sunagoge, i.e. synagogue).
James is clearly written to the Jews. James 1:1, "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting."
In James 2:8, James is talking about the "royal law". The "royal law" is the law of the sovereign kings and nobleman and royal officers. It is basic moral law.
Under the law of Moses, Israel was required to follow the WHOLE LAW, every detail of it or be guilty of breaking all of it. James 2:10, "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in ONE POINT, he is guilty of all."
Deuteronomy 27:26
Cursed be he that confirms not ALL the words of this law TO DO THEM"
Gal 3:10
"For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse."
James 2:12 also speaks of the "law of liberty". The law of liberty is "perfect". Perfect meaning that which has reached it's end; nothing beyond.
Galatians 5:1-4
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage...Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
Don't confuse "the whole law of Moses" with the works of righteousness that are part of faith. The righteousness by faith is not by works which we ourselves have done. We are His workmanship".
Php 3:9
And be found in Him, not having mine righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.
James was addressing the circumcision, i.e., the Jews, who did not understand the law of liberty. They also did not understand the true meaning of the law of Moses given to them. The law was given to make them aware of their sinfulness and lead them to Christ. The law never saved anyone.
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There are no "lost tribes of Israel". That is a myth and not substantiated in Scripture. The tribes are described in detail and they are never "lost". Why put any credence in fables and myths? We are warned against this kind of thing.
1Tim 1:4
Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister endless questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
2Tim 4:4
And they shall turn away their ears from truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Titus 1:14
Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn away from the truth.
The "body of Christ" today is made up of those who are faithful and believe the truth. Nationality is not an issue because God has no chosen nation today. The church which is the body of Christ is made of those who "first trusted in Christ. In Whom ye also trusted after ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in Whom after that ye believed"...Eph 1:12,13.
Searcher
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