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James Taught what Jesus Taught

Justin Johnson

In his earthly ministry Jesus was a minister of the circumcision (Rom 15:8). He confined his ministry to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Mat 10:5-6). He gave the keys of the kingdom to a remnant of Israel that believed he was the Messiah (Luke 12:32, Mat 19:28).

Being one of Jesus’ disciples, James picks up where Jesus left off in his ministry to Israel. It is not surprising to find James teaching Jesus’ message of the law and the prophets to the remnant twelve tribes.

Jesus Ministry to Israel James Ministry to Israel
“Sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel”? – Mat 15:24, Rom 15:8 Written “to the twelve tribes” – Jam 1:1
“everyone that asketh receiveth” – Mat 7:8 “ask of God …and it shall be given” – Jam 1:5
“No man can serve two masters” – Mat 6:24 “a double minded man is unstable” – Jam 1:8
“Blessed are the poor…rejoice” Luke 6:20-23 “Let the brother of low degree rejoice” – Jam 1:9
“He that endures to the end shall be saved” – Mat 24:13 “Blessed is the man that endureth” – Jam 1:12
“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” – Mat 6:13 “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God” – Jam 1:13
“By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” – Mat 12:37 “be swift to hear, slow to speak” – Jam 1:20
“Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it” – Luke 11:28 “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only” – Jam 1:22
“This people draw nigh unto me with their mouth…but their heart is far from me” – Mat 15:8 “If any man … bridleth not his tongue…this man’s religion is vain.” – Jam 1:26
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing” – Mat 7:15 “ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing [goodly apparel]” – Jam 2:3
“if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments…love thy neighbour” – Mat 19:17-19 “fulfil the royal law according to scripture…love thy neighbour” – Jam 2:8
“Whosoever shall break one of these least commandments … he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven” – Mat 5:19 “whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all” – Jam 2:10
“Judge not, that ye be not judged” – Mat 7:1 “Speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty” – Jam 2:12
“Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” Mat 7:19 “faith without works, is dead” – Jam 2:17
“as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren” – Mat 25:40 “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food…” – Jam 2:15
“If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham” – John 8:39 “Was not Abraham our father justified by works …” – Jam 2:21
“Neither be ye called masters” – Mat 23:10 “Be not many masters” – Jam 3:1
“Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man” – Mat 7:24 “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him shew … his works” – Jam 3:13
“Whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive” – Mat 21:22 “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss” – Jam 4:3
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” – Mark 8:36 “Ye that say…we will go into such a city… buy and sell, and get gain” – Jam 4:13
“But woe unto you that are rich for ye have received your consolation.” – Luke 6:24 “Ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you” – Jam 5:1
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt” – Mat 6:19 “Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.” – Jam 5:2
“when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.” – Mat 24:33 “behold, the judge standeth before the door.” – Jam 5:9
“But I say unto you, Swear not at all;” – Mat 5:34 “But above all things, my brethren, swear not” – Jam 5:12
“they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them. “ – Mark 6:13 “call for the elders of the church…anointing him with oil” – Jam 5:14
“he ordained twelve…to have power to heal sickness” – Mark 3:15 “the prayer of faith shall save the sick” – Jam 5:15
“if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone” – Mat 18:15 “Confess your faults one to another” – Jam 5:16

James is an obvious extension to the Lord’s earthly ministry. There is not a verse in the book that is written to a Gentile saved by the gospel of the grace of God in this dispensation. Instead, it is written to the remnant twelve tribes who need to be exhorted to continue in good works to enter into life.

The book of James will once more be applicable to the future remnant of Israel that will participate in the earthly kingdom the Lord promised to them.

Listen to our 23 week series verse by verse through James.

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Published: August 6, 2011
Last Modified: September 24, 2016
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