Ellen Chat Conversation

Ellen White’s writings provide a glimpse into the life of James, the brother of Jesus, highlighting both the initial challenges of his faith and his eventual role as a foundational leader in the early Christian church. While the provided documents do not detail the specific moment of his conversion, they illustrate a significant transformation in his relationship with Christ. Early in Jesus's ministry, His own family struggled to accept His divinity. In a scene from His own country, the people questioned His wisdom and authority, asking, "Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and of Joses, and of Juda, and Simon?" (8MR 268.1). This passage notes that because of their familiarity with Him, "they were offended at Him" (8MR 268.1). This suggests that James, along with his brothers, initially shared in the skepticism of their community, which limited the "mighty work" Jesus could perform among His own kin (8MR 268.1). However, this perspective changed dramatically following the establishment of the early church. James eventually became a central figure in Jerusalem, known for his leadership and devotion. Ellen White describes him as "James, the brother of the Lord," noting that the apostle Paul held him in high "reverence" (AA 405.2). By the time of Paul's later ministry, James had become so influential that he was considered "one of its [the church's] strongest pillars" (LP 214.1). His influence was so significant that even Paul sought to work in harmony with him and the other leaders to maintain the unity of the church (AA 405.2). It is important to distinguish this James from James the brother of John (the son of Zebedee). While the brother of John was "among the first group who had forsaken home and friends to be with Him" (HLv 363.4), he was later martyred when Herod "sent an executioner to kill him with the sword" (AA 143). In contrast, James the brother of the Lord remained a key leader in Jerusalem during Paul's later travels. From a practical standpoint, the experience of James reminds us that those closest to the truth may sometimes be the slowest to recognize it. His journey from being "offended" by Jesus to becoming a "strong pillar" of the faith offers hope for those seeking the spiritual growth of their own family members. Ultimately, the life of James demonstrates the power of Christ to transform skeptics into steadfast leaders who are essential to the stability and growth of the church. --- 💡 **You might also want to explore:** • What did Ellen White say about the other brothers of Jesus and their attitude toward His ministry? • How did the martyrdom of James the brother of John affect the early church? • What counsel does Ellen White provide regarding how to share the gospel with family members who are skeptical? --- 📚 **5 passages found** containing these search terms — [Explore in Full-Text Search](/advanced-search?q=%22James%22+%22brother+of)