Daily Devotions
James
"Count it all joy when you fall into various trials."
Text: James 1:2
SENDING OF GREETINGS
The Apostle Paul was always very formal and careful when he sent greetings to his readers. James was very different. The common way of greeting people was the word “Charein” (in Greek). It is translated “Greetings” in James 1:1. After a very brief word of greeting, James went straight into the writing of his epistle.
THE PROBLEM OF PERSECUTION IN THE FIRST CENTURY
There were problems faced by the early Church in the first century. The Book of Acts describes some of the problems: –
1. Persecutions arose from the Jewish authorities
a) The Sanhedrin Council led by the high priest Caiaphas commanded the Apostles not to preach the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 4:5-18).
b) Soon, arrests were made and the Apostles were jailed (Acts 5:18).
c) The first martyr of the church was a devout believer called Stephen who was stoned to death (Acts 7:58).
2. The secular authorities were involved in persecuting the Church (Acts 12:1)
a) James was the first apostle to die as martyr (Acts 12:2).
b) Peter was arrested but he was miraculously delivered by the Lord (Acts 12).
3. The Roman Emperor banned Jews from Rome
a) The first Christians were Jews.
b) Aquila and Priscilla were forced to leave their home in Rome (Acts 18:2).
WRITING TO BELIEVERS SCATTERED ABROAD
Two apostles wrote Epistles to believers who were scattered because of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Apostles who wrote to encourage scattered believers were Peter and James.
“My brethren, count it all joy
when you fall into various trials.”
James 1:2