After the distribution of the countries, he taught several years in Scythia, where he planted many churches; and since Syria and the upper part of Asia fell to his particular share, he laid the foundations of faith in many of these cities. _Pet. de Nat. lib. 4. cap. 107. Nic. lib. 2. cap. 39._
Finally he came to Phrygia, and wrought several signs at Hierapolis. There the Ebionites, who not only denied the divinity of Christ, but also worshiped idols, continued obstinately in their blasphemous doctrines and idolatry, and did not listen to this pious apostle of Christ, but apprehended him, and, having made his head fast to a pillar, stoned him; whereupon death ensued, and he thus fell asleep in the Lord. His body was buried in the aforementioned city Hierapolis. _Konst-tooneel, van veertigh heerlijke afbeeldingen Christi, ende sijner Apostelen_, etc. In the life of Philip. _Bybelsch Naembœck van P. J. Twisk, letter P._ on the name _Philippus, fol. 762. col. 2._ Also, _Introduction to the Martyrs Mirror of the Baptists_, printed in the year 1631, _fol. 35. col. 1._
JAMES, THE SON OF ALPHEUS, OR BROTHER OF THE LORD, CAST DOWN FROM THE TEMPLE, STONED, AND BEATEN TO DEATH WITH A CLUB, A. D. 63.
[Illustration: MARTYRDOM OF JAMES, THE SON OF ALPHEUS.]
James the Lesser was the son of Alpheus, and Mary Cleophas, sister to the mother of Christ; he is called the Lord’s brother. Matt. 10:3; Gal. 1:19.
After proper instruction he was ordained an apostle by Christ, and sent out to minister to the Jews; wherein he acquitted himself well, until Christ’s death. After that, he, with others, was sent out to preach the Gospel, which he did in the Jewish church. Matt; 28:19; Mark 16:15.
And although Peter, and James and his brother John, of whom the last-mentioned two were the sons of Zebedee, were regarded as the special apostles, he was nevertheless considered to be one of the three pillars of the church, after the death of James the son of Zebedee. Gal. 2:9.
He was appointed by the apostles the first overseer of the church at Jerusalem; this was shortly after the death of Christ. _Euseb. lib. 4. cap. 5. and lib. 2. cap. 23._ This office he discharged faithfully for thirty years, converting many to the true faith, not only (though principally) by the pure doctrine of Christ, but also through his holy life, on account of which he was called the Just. _Niceph. lib. 2. cap. 38._
He was very steadfast and holy, a true Nazarite, in dress as well as in eating and drinking; and prayed daily for the church of God and the common weal.
This apostle wrote an epistle for the consolation of the twelve tribes who were scattered abroad, saying: James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations. James 1:1,2.
But although he comforted with many excellent reasons his own, who believed in the name of Christ, the unbelieving Jews could not endure his doctrine; so that Ananias, an audacious and cruel young man among them, being the high priest, summoned him before the judges, that they should compel him to deny that Jesus is the Christ, and force him to renounce the Son of God and the power of his resurrection. _Josep. Antiq. lib. 20. cap. 8. Euseb. lib. 2. cap. 1. verse 22. ex Egesipp. Hieron. Catal._
To this end, the chief priests, scribes, and Pharisees placed him upon the pinnacle of the temple, at the time of the passover, that he should deny his faith before all the people. But as he thus stood before the people, he confessed with much more boldness that Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah, the Son of God, our Savior, and that he is sitting at the right hand of God, and shall come again in the clouds of heaven, to judge the quick and the dead.