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So far, the testimony of the Acts, both before and after Pentecost, is in perfect
harmony with that of the four Gospels and the O.T. Prophets. The Epistles and the
Revelation must now be studied, and we shall then have considered all that has been
written for our learning, and refrain from attempting to draw conclusions without
sufficient information.
#13. The N.T. fulfillment.
The witness of Peter and James to the dispersion.
pp. 101 - 104
As all that we have yet seen of our subject has been very definitely connected with
Israel, it would seem wise to leave Paul's testimony until we have completed our study of
the remainder of the N.T., and considered the testimony of James, Cephas and John as
ministers to the circumcision (Gal. 2: 7-9). Accordingly we turn to the epistle of James.
The true rendering of the word "James" is "Jacob". That the translators of the
King James' Version should use this name is not surprising when we remember that
followers of King James were called "Jacobites". The opening verse of the epistle reads,
therefore:--
"Jacob, a servant of God, and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the TWELVE TRIBES
which are scattered abroad."
If any reader maintains that the "twelve tribes" is an appropriate title of the church
which knows neither Greek nor Jew, we cannot approve of his logic, though we can
readily admit his inconsistency if he takes to himself the whole epistle; but for those who
have learned to distinguish things that differ, a letter addressed to the twelve tribes,
though it may possess the full authority and blessing which belong to "all Scripture",
must of necessity contain much that cannot strictly refer to the church.
The theme of the epistle is that of patience in tribulation, with glory in prospect at the
end. With this theme the first chapter opens, and with it the last chapter closes:--
"Be patient, therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold the husbandman
waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive
the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient: stablish your hearts: for the coming of the
Lord draweth nigh . . . . . ye have heard of the patience of Job . . . . ." (James 5: 7-11).
James here refers to some of the O.T. prophets for his figures:--
"After two days He will revive us, in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall
live in His sight . . . . . He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto
the earth" (Hos. 6: 2, 3).
Joel, also, speaks of the former and latter rain in direct connection with the restoration
and Pentecost (Joel 2: 23-31). It is not by accident that towards the close of chapter 5: