Can you imagine the ABSURDITY of addressing unsaved Jews (the whole nation of Israel) within the New Testament, while teaching them Christian truths? The unsaved had already rejected Christ and the Gospel so why would they obey Christian directives? But both James and Peter are addressing HEBREW CHRISTIANS. Those who were within the Church. Peter calls them strangers (or sojourners, παρεπιδήμοις, parepidēmois = someone passing through) since after the persecution of Hebrew Christians in Jerusalem and Judea, they were in fact scattered throughout the Roman empire: Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, This is the same group addressed by James.
ALL THE EPISTLES ARE WRITTEN TO THE CHILDREN OF GOD -- CHRISTIANS -- AND IT DOES NOT MATTER WHETHER THEY ARE ADDRESSED TO HEBREW CHRISTIANS EXCLUSIVELY OR BOTH GROUPS (INCLUDING GENTILES). As we know, in the Body of Christ that distinction is null and void.
ALL THE EPISTLES ARE WRITTEN TO THE CHILDREN OF GOD -- CHRISTIANS -- AND IT DOES NOT MATTER WHETHER THEY ARE ADDRESSED TO HEBREW CHRISTIANS EXCLUSIVELY OR BOTH GROUPS (INCLUDING GENTILES). As we know, in the Body of Christ that distinction is null and void.
1. If there is no Jew or Gentile in the body of Christ, why would James write only to Jewish Christians? Paul states that there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek. In fact, Paul points out that there is no longer any distinction between Jew and Greek. To make the distinction of Jewish Christians would be counterproductive.
2. It is obvious that there are those in the audience that have not received the word and their souls were not saved. 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
3. The Jews will be scattered during the tribulation.
4. The rich is condemned throughout the book. Paul never condemns Christians for being rich, but commands them to do good. To be rich during the tribulation means you have sold out to the anti-christ.
5. James plainly states that a man is justified by works and not by faith only. He is answering the question, "Can faith save him?" James is not answering the question, will works follow faith, as most commentaries claim. Faith and works is the method during the tribulation. See Revelation 12:17 and 14:12.
6. James states in 5:9 that the Lord is standing ready to return as Judge. During the Church Age, Paul states that Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father.
7. Is the following a description of the early church? Chapter 4
1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Acts describes them in this manner: Acts 8:4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
I could go on and on. I would advise to study the word, the holy word, the KJV, and not commentaries.
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