This is the Third bible study of a twelve week bible study called the "Twelve Apostles-Foundation of Christ's Bride (The Holy City)". Each week we will study one of the twelve apostles which were Jesus Christ's apostles and referred to as the foundation of Christ's Holy City. In the Revelations chapter 21, one of seven angel's came to John telling him that he would show him the bride, the Lamb's (Jesus Christ) wife. He then showed the apostle the Holy Jerusalem of heaven. A description is given, part of that description reveals that the twelve disciples names would represent the twelve foundations of this Holy city. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb" Revelations 21:14 The Apostles play an important role in the Holy City The apostles have significant importance as the foundation of the Holy City so it makes sense that we should know who they were, what they taught, why it was important, and how they died. This Second study is on the Apostle Bartholomew one of Jesus Christ's disciples (apostles). About James the Elder There were two Apostles names James. James the Elder and James the Lesser (younger). What we know about James the Elder from biblical studies and historical references are:
He was the son of Zebedee and Salone
Brother of John the Apostle
Fisherman
Lived in Bethsaida, Capernaum, and Jerusalem
James the Elder taught in Jerusalem and Judea
He was a member of the "Inner Circle" and as such was allowed to do things which were not permitted for others
.James and his brother John were inseparable
James name does not appear in the New Testament alone but always in combination with his brother John. There is not a lot of biblical information available about James the Elder. He appeared to be a man of great courage, forgiving, without jealousy as he lived in his brother John's shadow. Read:
Mark 1:17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. Mark 1:18 And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him. Mark 1:19 And when he had gone a little farther thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. Mark 1:20 And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him. Mark 1:21 And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.
Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 4:18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. Matthew 4:19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. Matthew 4:20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. Matthew 4:21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. Matthew 4:22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
Luke 5:1 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, Luke 5:2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. Luke 5:3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. Luke 5:4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. Luke 5:5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. Luke 5:6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. Luke 5:7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. Luke 5:8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. Luke 5:9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: Luke 5:10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. Luke 5:11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.
How James Died King Herod beheaded James the Elder in AD 44 James the Elder's Apostolic Symbol is 3 shells which symbolize his pilgrimage by the sea.
"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." Acts 20:28 (KJV)