Christian Faith Unveiled in the Epistle of James

By Raymond J. Zeman

A study of the book of James will unveil some of the most practical Christian faith topics found in the New Testament. Truths are revealed in James concerning faith in action:

overcoming adversities,
personal spiritual growth,
sensitivity in personal relationships,
serving those around us,
using wisdom to control ones tongue, and
using wealth in Gods service.

The book was written by James, identified as the brother of Jesus Christ in Mark 6:3, to the twelve tribes of Israel which were scattered throughout the Roman Empire. Because these early believers did not have the support of established Christian churches, James wrote to them as a concerned leader and servant of God to encourage them in their faith during difficult times as they waited for the next coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jan 31, 2015
• ISBN: 9781503537422

Raymond J. Zeman

Dr. Raymond J. Zeman received his BSMS degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Engineering. He received his MBA degree from Baldwin-Wallace College and a Doctor of Biblical Studies and Ph.D. degrees from Bethany Theological Seminary. He has served as a corporate executive and director of numerous companies and as a visiting lecturer at various colleges and universities. In addition, Ray was a pastor of two Massachusetts churches, retired from both, and moved his consulting, Bible teaching, and writing to North Carolina. An essay written by Ray, entitled “The Effects of Spiritual Guidance in the World Today,” was entered into the Congressional Record, Proceedings and Debates of the 84th Congress, First Edition, Vol. 101; No.72 dated Tuesday, May 3, 1955, by the representative to Congress, Oliver P. Bolton, sponsor of the bill that added “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance. Ray is currently a member of the Advisory Board Case Western Reserve University, School of Engineering, and a Bible teacher in the Davidson, North Carolina area. He is also active in the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors and is focusing on the preservation of the 1799 John Davidson Aaron Willard clock. He and his wife have three children, two grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Ray has published and taught Hope Unveiled in the Book of Revelation, Power and Glory Unveiled in Mark’s Gospel, and Instructions for the Lord’s Return Unveiled in Thessalonians. In 2015 the Raymond J. Zeman Entrepreneurship Suite at Case Western Reserve University School of Engineering Think[box], located in the Richey Mixon Building (Cleveland, Ohio) will open. The Zeman Suite will be a location for students to collaborate, innovate and invent along with educators, mentors and facilitators who can assist students and faculty to become tomorrow’s entrepreneurs and technology leaders. Think[box] brings together the medical, engineering, legal, and management disciplines, preparing graduates to work in the company they established at Case Western Reserve University.

Book preview

Christian Faith

Unveiled

in the

Epistle of James

Raymond J. Zeman, D.B.S., Ph.D.

edited by P. A. Roth, B.S.Ed.

Based on the King James Version (KJV)

Copyright © 2015 by Raymond J. Zeman, D.B.S., Ph.D.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2015901059

ISBN:      Hardcover      978-1-5035-3744-6

               Softcover         978-1-5035-3745-3

               eBook              978-1-5035-3742-2

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the Holy Bible, King James Version (Authorized Version). First published in 1611. Quoted from the KJV Classic Reference Bible, Copyright © 1983 by The Zondervan Corporation.

Rev. date: 01/30/2015

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Contents

Foreword

Acknowledgment

About The Author

Introduction

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

References

Foreword

Dr. Ray Zeman has taught, preached and written about the Word of God for more than forty years. Ray has the exceptional gift of being able to do so while meeting everyone on the level where they live. Ray strives to present the Scriptures in an understandable manner making it possible for anyone to apply God’s principles to everyday life. Dr. Zeman has succeeded in accomplishing this with the book Christian Faith Unveiled in the Epistle of James.

While Christian Faith Unveiled explains a Christian’s walk with Christ, Ray’s concern for the salvation of all is evident. The objective of this book is that anyone who does not know Christ as Savior, by reading this book, would realize that the Christian life is not possible without a personal relationship with Christ, and the reader would be drawn by the Holy Spirit and invite Jesus to be his Lord and Savior:

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them (Eph.2:8-10).

Pastor Hal Brown

Lake Norman Baptist Church

Minister of Pastoral Care

Acknowledgment

A special thank you to P. A. Roth, a dedicated editor, contributor and proofreader

About The Author

Dr. Raymond J. Zeman received his BSMS degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Engineering. He received his MBA degree from Baldwin-Wallace College and a Doctor of Biblical Studies and Ph.D. degrees from Bethany Theological Seminary. He has served as a corporate executive and director of numerous companies and as a visiting lecturer at various colleges and universities. In addition, Ray was a pastor of two Massachusetts churches, retired from both, and moved his consulting, Bible teaching, and writing to North Carolina.

An essay written by Ray, entitled The Effects of Spiritual Guidance in the World Today, was entered into the Congressional Record, Proceedings and Debates of the 84th Congress, First Edition, Vol. 101; No.72 dated Tuesday, May 3, 1955, by the representative to Congress, Oliver P. Bolton, sponsor of the bill that added under God to the Pledge of Allegiance.

Ray is currently a member of the Advisory Board Case Western Reserve University, School of Engineering, and a Bible teacher in the Davidson, North Carolina area. He is also active in the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors and is focusing on the preservation of the 1799 John Davidson Aaron Willard clock. He and his wife have three children, two grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Ray has published and taught Hope Unveiled in the Book of Revelation, Power and Glory Unveiled in Mark’s Gospel, and Instructions for the Lord’s Return Unveiled in Thessalonians.

In 2015 the Raymond J. Zeman Entrepreneurship Suite at Case Western Reserve University School of Engineering Think[box], located in the Richey Mixon Building (Cleveland, Ohio) will open. The Zeman Suite will be a location for students to collaborate, innovate and invent along with educators, mentors and facilitators who can assist students and faculty to become tomorrow’s entrepreneurs and technology leaders. Think[box] brings together the medical, engineering, legal, and management disciplines, preparing graduates to work in the company they established at Case Western Reserve University.

Introduction

The date of the writing of this epistle is uncertain, but was circa A.D.45-50. James is believed to be the first book of the New Testament that was written. The church is described in its earliest form. James uses the word assembly (synagogue) instead of the word church (Jas.2:2); and the elders of the church were mentioned, but the deacons and bishops were not (Jas.5:14). There is no mention in James of the Jewish/gentile controversy or of the great church council held in Jerusalem in A.D.50 (Acts 15).

The book was written to the twelve tribes of Israel which were scattered throughout the Roman Empire. It is a picture of what primitive Christianity meant to a Jew converted to Christ and illustrates the transition from a Jewish to a Christian way of life. James shares many beliefs with Old Testament writers such as those recorded in Proverbs and Leviticus.

The author of the book of James was most likely James, the Lord’s brother. There are two other men named James who are mentioned in the New Testament: the Apostle James, who was the son of Zebedee, and the brother of the Apostle John. It is doubtful that he could have been the author for he was martyred by Herod Agrippa about A.D.44. Scripture also refers to the Apostle James the Less, who was the son of Alpheus and the cousin of Jesus. However, so little is known about him that it is highly unlikely that he is the author.

James, the Lord’s brother, was well known by believers everywhere. Being the Lord’s brother was enough to give him a worldwide reputation among believers. In addition to this, he was the leader of the first Christian church in Jerusalem. He was a man of great authority (Acts 12:17; 15:13-29; 21:17,18). In James 1:1 he refers to himself as James. Apparently, he needed no other identification during this time; everyone knew the James who was writing the letter or epistle. The church, from the very earliest of its tradition, has held that the author was James, the Lord’s brother.

The information found in Scripture about James supports his being the author:

• He was the brother of the Lord (Mt.13:55; Mk.6:3).

• He was an eyewitness of the risen Lord. The Lord appeared to him in a private conversation (1 Cor.15:7).

• He was among those waiting for the coming of the Spirit in the Upper Room (Acts 1:14).

• He was an apostle, having been appointed after his private encounter with the risen Lord (Gal.1:19).

• He became the leader of the Jerusalem Church, perhaps assuming his duties after Peter left on his missionary journeys. James became very influential in the Jerusalem Church.

• He was the first to be told about Peter’s release from prison (Acts 12:17).

• He was the presiding officer over the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15).

• James, along with Peter and John, were considered to be pillars of the church (Gal.2:9).

• Paul chose to discuss his ministry among the gentiles with James as well as with Peter and John (Gal.1:19; 2:9).

• James was the one who received the offerings brought by Paul from the gentile churches to help the Jerusalem saints (Acts 21:18-25).

• He was well-versed in the Old Testament (Acts 15:13-21).

• He was familiar with Jesus’ teaching, as the epistle includes many quotations from the Sermon on the Mount.

Heavenly wisdom is the foundation of this letter. James’ objective was to correct a corrupted faith, based on earthly wisdom that was rapidly seeping into the church. He understood the hollowness of mere religious profession. Many Jewish Christians were professing faith in Christ, but living evil lives. Their faith was profession only, which is a faith of little or no restraint upon behavior. Heavenly wisdom provides the true faith of Christ, a faith of the heart, a faith that produces outward benefits. James maintains that a person is known to be a Christian only by his behavior, as his behavior demonstrates that he is a Christian or a non-Christian.

Many consider the epistle of James to be a reworking of the Sermon on the Mount. Righteousness, not one’s own, but that which comes only through belief in Christ, is the objective of moral teaching in both Matthew and James:

Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven (Mt.6:1).

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (Mt.6:33).

The Book of James is a general or universal epistle. That is, it is not written to a specific church or individual, but rather, to all Christian believers, particularly to all Jewish converts.

James is also the epistle of sermon notes. The characteristics of the Jewish and Greek sermons of that day are found throughout James. The