All of the first wave of converts in Acts were Jews. All of the original apostles were Jews. It is no wonder then that the New Testament writings by James and Peter and John sound more Jewish than Christian.
Theologians point out to us that there was no small dispute between James, the brother of Jesus and the pastor in Jerusalem, and Paul. Paul goes to great lengths explaining and expounding on the doctrine of salvation by grace alone.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." Eph.2:8-9
James challenges this doctrine teaching that salvation is by works.
"What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?" James 2:11
James out lines the works that faith inspires and promotes. But doing good works alone is the Law, not grace.
If it were not for Paul, we would not be saved today. Paul took the Gospel out from under the covering of the Law and made it available to all people, everywhere. God used Paul to make the Gospel good news for the world, not just a wing of Judaism.
Did you know that those who put together the New Testament to make the Bible almost did not include James? But it's there and it is useful for doctrine and instruction. We use the whole Bible because it is all God's words to us about Christ.
The new is in the old concealed, the old is in the new revealed.
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