ABOUT APOSTLE JAMES, A SON OF THUNDER!
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ABOUT APOSTLE JAMES, THE MAN OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS: ONE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, SONS OF THUNDER!
As a Senior Apostle & Kingdom of God Messenger with a prophetic calling to equip the Church in a confused world, we humbly invite you to consider becoming a financial partner in advancing the mission of Apostle James R & Betty R American & Global Social Media Ministries. Your support is not merely a donation—it is a covenant investment in proclaiming the truth of Yeshua, sharing biblically sound teachings and resources, and preparing the Bride for His return. We are witnessing a growing hunger for clarity, discernment, and doctrinal integrity in a world clouded by deception. By joining us as a financial partner, you help ensure that this message reaches God's Kingdom sons and daughters and His serving team of Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers, and seekers across America and the nations. Together, we can stand as God's Kingdom revolutionaries unapologetically, the Lord Jesus Christ relevant Ambassadors on the wall, faithfully stewarding the truth until the trumpet sounds and we hear Him say well done, My dedicated and committed ambassadors, now enter into the joy of your Lord and Savior..
Christ Jesus had two disciples named Elder James: James the son of Zebedee and James the son of Alphaeus. Another Elder James, the half-brother of Jesus Christ, was one of the twelve disciples and was a leader in the early Church of Jerusalem ( Acts 15:13 ) and wrote the Epistle of James. One of the Twelve, James the son of Alphaeus, is called James the Less (or the Younger) in Mark 15:40, where we also learn that his mother’s name was Mary. Scripture does not record much more about Apostle James, the son of Alphaeus, so we’ll focus on the other disciple, Elder James, the son of Zebedee, in this article.
When Jesus Christ called James to follow Him, Big Brother James was in a boat mending fishing nets with his father, Zebedee, and his brother, John. “[ Jesus ] called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him” ( Matthew 4:21–22 ). From then on, Elder James was in full-time ministry with Jesus Christ.
Elder James was one of Jesus’ “inner circle.” Elder James, John, and Peter are frequently mentioned together as the only Apostles to witness some of Jesus’ miracles: the raising of a young girl from the dead ( Mark 5 ), for example. Jesus took James up a mountain along with Peter and John, where James saw Jesus’ transfiguration and watched Him talk with Moses and Elijah (Matthew 17:1–9). Elder James, along with John, Peter, and Andrew, privately asked Jesus Christ for clarity after He told the disciples the temple would be destroyed ( Mark 13:2–3 ). Because of their desire to understand Jesus Christ’s words better, the four received prophetic words from their Lord regarding the near future and the end times (Mark 13:5–37).
Elder James and his brother, John, were given a nickname by Jesus Christ, who called them “Boanerges,” meaning “Sons of Thunder” (Mark 3:17the two “Boanerges,” which means “Sons of Thunder” ( Mark 3:17 ). This name gives us a clue to Elder James’ personality. Both he and his brother were characterized by zeal, passion, and ambition.
Elder James and John asked Jesus Christ to let them sit on either side of Him in His kingdom ( Mark 10:37 ), and Jesus Christ told them that wasn’t a request He could grant. Then He prophesied about their future—Elder James and John would suffer persecution just as He would ( Mark 10:39 ). Christ Jesus handled the brothers’ audacious request graciously, turning it into a lesson in humility for all the disciples (verses 42–45). The other ten disciples weren’t very happy with the brothers because of their brazenness—and probably because they wanted those positions of honor in the kingdom for themselves (verse 41).
Later, Elder James and John showed their zealous, thunderous personalities when Jesus Christ sent messengers before Him into a Samaritan village. The people of the village refused to welcome Jesus Christ, however, because they knew He was journeying to Jerusalem ( Luke 9:51–53 ). Elder James and John wanted to call down fire from heaven to destroy the village (verse 54). This impetuous, vindictive desire earned Jesus Christ’s rebuke, and He reminded the sons of thunder that His mission was to save lives, not destroy them.
Scripture doesn’t record any specifics about Elder James’ activities following Jesus Christ’s resurrection other than he went fishing with some of the other disciples on the Sea of Galilee, witnessed another miraculous draught of fish ( John 21:1–11 ), and had breakfast on the shore with the resurrected Christ. After the ascension of Christ, Apostle James was present on the Day of Pentecost ( Acts 2 ) and did his part in fulfilling the Great Commission. Given James’ outspoken nature, he was probably a bold witness for the Lord and led many to faith.
As Jesus Christ had predicted, James experienced persecution soon after the Church began. King Herod decided to arrest some believers, and he had Apostle James killed ( Acts 12:2 ). Apostle James thus became the first Apostle to be martyred. One of the Lord God Jesus Christ's Sons of Thunder.
The life of Elder James the Apostle shows us that Jesus Christ knows our nature: He identified Brother James as a “Son of Thunder” right away. Also, Jesus Christ patiently works with us to conform us to His will, just as He did with Big Brother James. We also learn from the life of Apostle James that courage in our service to Christ is a valuable asset in spreading the gospel, although it can make us the target of persecution. At the same time, boldness should not be allowed to descend into brashness. Our zeal must be tempered with grace, and impetuosity must be curtailed by a steady commitment to the will of God. Amen.
When Jesus Christ called James to follow Him, Big Brother James was in a boat mending fishing nets with his father, Zebedee, and his brother, John. “[ Jesus ] called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him” ( Matthew 4:21–22 ). From then on, Elder James was in full-time ministry with Jesus Christ.
Elder James was one of Jesus’ “inner circle.” Elder James, John, and Peter are frequently mentioned together as the only Apostles to witness some of Jesus’ miracles: the raising of a young girl from the dead ( Mark 5 ), for example. Jesus took James up a mountain along with Peter and John, where James saw Jesus’ transfiguration and watched Him talk with Moses and Elijah (Matthew 17:1–9). Elder James, along with John, Peter, and Andrew, privately asked Jesus Christ for clarity after He told the disciples the temple would be destroyed ( Mark 13:2–3 ). Because of their desire to understand Jesus Christ’s words better, the four received prophetic words from their Lord regarding the near future and the end times (Mark 13:5–37).
Elder James and his brother, John, were given a nickname by Jesus Christ, who called them “Boanerges,” meaning “Sons of Thunder” (Mark 3:17the two “Boanerges,” which means “Sons of Thunder” ( Mark 3:17 ). This name gives us a clue to Elder James’ personality. Both he and his brother were characterized by zeal, passion, and ambition.
Elder James and John asked Jesus Christ to let them sit on either side of Him in His kingdom ( Mark 10:37 ), and Jesus Christ told them that wasn’t a request He could grant. Then He prophesied about their future—Elder James and John would suffer persecution just as He would ( Mark 10:39 ). Christ Jesus handled the brothers’ audacious request graciously, turning it into a lesson in humility for all the disciples (verses 42–45). The other ten disciples weren’t very happy with the brothers because of their brazenness—and probably because they wanted those positions of honor in the kingdom for themselves (verse 41).
Later, Elder James and John showed their zealous, thunderous personalities when Jesus Christ sent messengers before Him into a Samaritan village. The people of the village refused to welcome Jesus Christ, however, because they knew He was journeying to Jerusalem ( Luke 9:51–53 ). Elder James and John wanted to call down fire from heaven to destroy the village (verse 54). This impetuous, vindictive desire earned Jesus Christ’s rebuke, and He reminded the sons of thunder that His mission was to save lives, not destroy them.
Scripture doesn’t record any specifics about Elder James’ activities following Jesus Christ’s resurrection other than he went fishing with some of the other disciples on the Sea of Galilee, witnessed another miraculous draught of fish ( John 21:1–11 ), and had breakfast on the shore with the resurrected Christ. After the ascension of Christ, Apostle James was present on the Day of Pentecost ( Acts 2 ) and did his part in fulfilling the Great Commission. Given James’ outspoken nature, he was probably a bold witness for the Lord and led many to faith.
As Jesus Christ had predicted, James experienced persecution soon after the Church began. King Herod decided to arrest some believers, and he had Apostle James killed ( Acts 12:2 ). Apostle James thus became the first Apostle to be martyred. One of the Lord God Jesus Christ's Sons of Thunder.
The life of Elder James the Apostle shows us that Jesus Christ knows our nature: He identified Brother James as a “Son of Thunder” right away. Also, Jesus Christ patiently works with us to conform us to His will, just as He did with Big Brother James. We also learn from the life of Apostle James that courage in our service to Christ is a valuable asset in spreading the gospel, although it can make us the target of persecution. At the same time, boldness should not be allowed to descend into brashness. Our zeal must be tempered with grace, and impetuosity must be curtailed by a steady commitment to the will of God. Amen.
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- Senior Apostle & Messenger James R. Winfree Sr.
Apostle John, 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. Period.
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