The Skeptic Who Became an Apostle
Knowing Your Apostles — Part 3
This is a fun, lighthearted series intended not necessarily to teach, but to spark conversation. Consider this an open invitation to share what you know, like, dislike, or simply find interesting about any of the apostles. This is a judgment-free zone, so feel free to share your thoughts and opinions.
Series Third Question
The third question of this series is: Who is the unexpected/surprising apostle and church leader?
My Answer: Apostle James
James is the apostle I’m most surprised to see emerge as an apostle and church leader—and here’s why. But first, a few biographical details.
A Few Biographical Facts
The James in question is not James, the brother of the apostle John. That James was killed early in the life of the church by King Herod (Acts 12:2).
This James is the brother of Jesus Himself, meaning he was a son of Mary and Joseph. In other words, he was biologically related to Jesus through their mother, Mary.
He was also the brother of Jude (Jude 1), whom I will explore in a separate post.
And yes, this James is the one who wrote the book of James.
James’ Sudden Rise
That James was an apostle, in the broader New Testament sense, is not in doubt, although he was not a foundational apostle like Peter and John. Rather, he belonged to the second generation of apostles, alongside figures like Paul.
James was a peripheral figure in the Gospel narratives, almost standing in the shadows. The Bible didn’t record that he was present at Jesus’ trial or crucifixion. Even in Acts, he is absent from many of the early defining moments of the church. He is not mentioned on the Day of Pentecost, during the initial persecution by the Jewish council, or in major events such as Peter’s imprisonment and miraculous release.
Then we arrive at Acts 15, and suddenly James appears as a figure of immense prominence alongside Peter and the other apostles.
Barnabas and Paul had come down from Antioch to consult with the apostles and elders regarding whether Gentile converts should be circumcised like the Jews.
After much debate, Peter addressed the council and argued that requiring circumcision of Gentiles would place upon them an unnecessary yoke (Acts 15:7–11). Barnabas and Paul then recounted the signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles (Acts 15:12).
Finally, James spoke—and his was the decisive voice.
“It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.”
— Acts 15:19
He then outlined recommendations that became the basis of the letter sent to the church in Antioch and the standard by which Gentile believers were expected to live (Acts 15:23–29).
James’ leadership and authority in the early church are remarkable in themselves, especially when one considers his beginnings and his early relationship with Jesus.
Let’s explore that.
James Was a Skeptic
James, along with Jesus’ other brothers—Jude and the rest—did not believe in Him at all.
In John 7, they said to Him:
“Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.”
— John 7:3–4
They viewed Jesus as someone seeking attention, eager to make a name for Himself. Then John adds this devastating comment:
“For even his own brothers did not believe in him.”
— John 7:5
Ouch.
It is one thing for outsiders not to believe in you. It is another thing entirely when your own family—your brothers and sisters, the people who know you best—do not believe in you.
In addition, in Mark 3, we are told that because of Jesus’ relentless ministry, His family reacted this way:
“When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, ‘He is out of his mind.’”
— Mark 3:21 NIV
In other words, they thought He had lost His senses. This is remarkably similar to the accusation made by some of the Jews in John 10:20.
I believe this attitude toward Jesus forms the backdrop to His response in Matthew 12. When He was told that His mother and brothers were waiting to speak with Him, He asked:
“Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?”
— Matthew 12:48
He then added that those who do the will of His Father are His brother, sister, and mother (Matthew 12:49–50).
Given this background, how did James go from being an unbelieving brother—a skeptic to becoming an apostle and one of the most prominent leaders in the early church?
James Became an Apostle
First, let’s establish that James was an apostle. Then we can explore how he became one and rose to such prominence in the early church.
James never referred to himself as an apostle, but others did, and I believe his standing alongside Peter and John confirms it.
Paul referred to him as an apostle when recounting an early visit to Jerusalem:
“Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.”
— Galatians 1:18–19
Then, describing a later visit to Jerusalem some fourteen years afterward, Paul acknowledged James alongside Peter and John as leaders and pillars of the church (Galatians 2:2, 9).
This establishes James as an apostle and one of the foremost leaders of the early church. Yet it still does not explain how this happened.
Paul may provide a clue elsewhere. Defending the reality of Christ’s resurrection, he listed several post-resurrection appearances of Jesus. After mentioning Peter, the Twelve, and many other witnesses, he wrote:
“After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:7
We are given no details about this encounter, but I believe it was probably the moment that finally convinced James of Jesus’ divinity and that He truly was who He claimed to be.
It may also have been the occasion on which the risen Christ commissioned him for ministry. That would explain why James was later recognized by the other apostles as a fellow elder, apostle, and leader in the church.
James’ Transformation and Impact
James’ contribution to the circumcision debate in Acts 15 was decisive. His judgment became the basis upon which the church resolved the issue, and it provided support for Paul’s continuing struggle against those who insisted that Gentile believers must be circumcised. That conflict would continue to surface throughout Paul’s ministry and can be seen in letters such as Galatians, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Ephesians, and Colossians.
His story is remarkable.
He went from not believing in Jesus to becoming His disciple. He went from being a skeptic who thought Jesus was “out of His mind” to becoming an apostle and one of the most influential voices in the early church.
Few stories illustrate the transforming power of the resurrection more clearly than that of James.
Your Turn
Are you surprised, as I was, that James became an apostle? Or is there someone else whose apostleship surprises you even more?
Your answer doesn’t have to be as long as mine—feel free to share in the comments.
Next Episode Preview
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