633 - Les Feldick Bible Study - Lesson 3 Part 1 Book 53 - The Legalist Viewpoint of James

https://lesfeldickbiblestudy.com Through the Bible with Les Feldick LESSON 3 * PART 1 * BOOK 53 The Legalist Viewpoint of James James 1:24 – 3:6 Is the Scripture you’re reading addressed to Israel? Or, is it addressed to the Gentile church, the Body of Christ we’re living in today, which was all written by the Apostle Paul? The Apostle Paul wrote to us in the Church Age, and the other writers wrote to the Nation of Israel. James; I and II Peter; I, II and III John; Jude and Revelation. Now, come back to James chapter 1 verse 1, just for a little review and to make the point that these little letters are not written to the Gentile church. When Paul wrote to the Gentile church, he would begin in some of his epistles, "Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ writing to you Gentiles." But in these Jewish epistles we’ve got just the opposite. James says: James 1:1 "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting." Where were these twelve tribes that James is addressing? Turn to I Peter chapter 1, and you’ve got the same scenario, only now Peter gives us a geographical area. I Peter 1:1 "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers (in other words, the Jews of the dispersion, and where are they?) scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia." The land of Turkey was where Paul labored the most, in Galatia and Ephesus on the western coast. Now there’s not one word, and I have to emphasize this without apology,there is not one word of Paul’s doctrines in these little Jewish epistles. There’s not a word regarding the Gentiles, there’s not a word regarding the Body of Christ. The seven years of Tribulation. All right, so if you’ll reflect back now, on one of the first programs where I introduced these letters, I made the point that these letters are written to Jews facing imminent trials and persecutions of the Tribulation, waiting for Christ to come. I hope you’re watching Western Europe. The Roman Empire is reappearing. All right, now with that as another rehearsal of the introduction, James chapter 1 and let’s jump in at verse 22. Now watch the language. Oh, what a difference here, then, from Paul’s Epistles of Grace. James 1:22 Let’s just begin with verse 7: Exodus 19:7 Now remember the scenario - Moses is up on the mountain, face-to-face with the Lord. Now verse 8. Exodus 19:8 "And all the people (now remember this is the Nation of Israel) answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will (what’s the next word?) Works! James 1:23-24 Well, James says, this is the way it is if someone is supposed to be keeping the Law and doesn’t. The Law, the Mosaic Law, the "thou shalt not’s" and "thou shalt’s" are like a mirror. The Law shows that. Because the Law has no redeeming power. All right, but now James isn’t using that concept. James is telling these Jewish believers that they are falling short at keeping the Law. All right, move on down, back to James 1 and verse 25. James 1:25 James is not saying a word about grace, but rather that keeping of the Law. Verse 26. James 1:26a "If any man among you seem to be (what?) religious,…" It’s not a good word. Yeah.)So James was evidently written before the Spirit even intends him to allude to anything that Paul teaches. All right, but his writings are still Scripture, but just doesn’t apply to the Gentile Body of Christ as it’s all Jewish. "All scripture (from Genesis 1:1 to the last verse of Revelation) is given by inspiration of God and is profitable…" See, all scripture is profitable. II Peter chapter 1 and here, of course, Peter agrees with the Apostle Paul one hundred percent. II Peter chapter 1. II Peter chapter 1, verse 16 where now the Apostle Peter writes. II Peter 1:16a II Peter 1:16b "…when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,…" The soon coming of Christ. All right, now verse 17. II Peter 1:17-18 II Peter 1:19a Peter says, "We have a more sure" than even Christ’s transfiguration showing to those three - Peter, James and John - Who He really was. II Peter 1:19b II Peter 1:20 II Peter 1:21 "For the prophecy (that is the Word of God) came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." The writers of the historical books. The writers of the Gospels. Luke writing Acts, Paul’s epistles and now these by Peter, James and John again. Now then, down to verse 26 again. James 1 verse 26. All right verse 26: James 1:26 Judaism was a religion) and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is (what?) vain." Now, come back with me to Galatians chapter 1, and we’ll get Paul’s use of the word "religion." Back to Galatians chapter 1. Galatians 1:13 #LesFeldick #BibleStudy #Bible