Does James 2:24 Teach Justification Unto Eternal Life by Works for Kingdom Saints?

James and Paul are on the same page, faith obedience has a crown in view.

Jas 1:1  James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

Jas 1:2  My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

Jas 1:3  Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

Jas 1:4  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Jas 1:12  Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Thus the salvation of their souls in this context is in regards to a crown of life, not life.

Jas 2:16  And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

Jas 2:17  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

Jas 2:21  Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

Jas 2:22  Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

Jas 2:23  And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Abraham was made righteous by faith in Gen.15 not in Gen.22. In Gen.22 Abraham was tried by God and the righteousness Abraham obtained was that of obedient faith, and thus Abraham is featured in Hebs. 11 as an over comer, one who is rewarded by God.

Heb 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Heb 12:11  Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

Without faith as a servant of GOD, it is impossible to please Him. This is not about initial salvation. Paul speaks of it here;

Rom 6:16  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

How can Paul write of service unto righteousness? The righteous walk follows the faith into Christ. If the faith is not then expressed in the service unto righteousness, then no crown.

2Ti 4:6  For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

2Ti 4:7  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

2Ti 4:8  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

James and Paul both speak of walking as believers, going onto perfection, trying of faith, enduring to please God.

Thus our mid-acts brothers are confusing initial salvation and the worthy walk that follows.

The Jews believed, THEN they had to be water baptised, then they kept the LAW. If we follow Peter's words, repent then be baptised in Acts 2, and follow Peter's gospel in Acts 3Act 3:19  Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
we will never be trapped by this mixed arguing mid-acts keep stumbling upon and tripping others. Water baptism is not before Repentance, nor before the pricking in their hearts of the Holy Spirit. The laver in the tabernacle was placed AFTER the altar of sacrifice, being baptised into Moses (1Cor.10) was after the shed blood in Egypt.

James refutes the mid-acts arguments. James is about faith being followed by good works which is exactly what Paul says in Eph.2:8-10.

Stuart Allen's audio series on James A545 onwards on this page is rewarding, http://www.bibleunderstanding.com/allen4.htm

Blessings

Brian

What does 2 Cor. 5:16 (knowing Christ no longer in the flesh) mean to Paul's Acts ministry?

What does 2 Cor 5:16 mean with regard to believers no longer knowing Christ according to the flesh (according to His earthly ministry) if Paul was yet preaching Him as Messiah in the synagogues...preaching Him according to the flesh?

It's a long context, and we can't isolate this part, so here it is: 2Co 5:11  Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
2Co 5:12  For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.
2Co 5:13  For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.
2Co 5:14  For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
2Co 5:15  And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 2Co 5:16  Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
2Co 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2Co 5:18  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
2Co 5:19  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
2Co 5:20  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
2Co 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

I think, one died, then all were dead, and henceforth not living for ourselves, but unto Him that died and rose again are contextual defining elements. These are the things said before. Then Paul says, therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creation, old things have passed away. This is what is said after. Here is the central portion as it were;

2Co 5:15  And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 2Co 5:16  Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
2Co 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Flesh and spirit are recurring themes in Paul. Living unto Christ meant he no longer knew any man after the flesh. Knowing Christ after the flesh could mean Paul knew Christ before being in Christ?

In Roms.7 he wanted to serve the Law in newness of spirit, but he was carnal (fleshly). Walking by the Spirit, in newness of life, Roms.8 was how he wanted to know Christ now, being lead by the Spirit and not the flesh, see also Gals. 5.

While this might not explain it fully, and to be sure, this is the best I can do off the top of my head, the passage/context removes any possibility for the unrelated view that this has to do with Christ's earthly ministry.

Stuart Allen's audio number A468 might be helpful, I can't remember its content. ON this page http://www.bibleunderstanding.com/allen4.htm

Where's a good overview of Acts 28?

If you had to recommend one source - book or online article - giving a simple overview of Acts 28 and the practical implications of it for our Christian lives, what would it be? 

I'm not sure if such a source exists.  Our website is a huge one with mixed Acts 28 dispensational truth and practical out workings of it; but together in one place?   Mr. Welch's Alphabetical Analysis is worthy of your library or you can find it here in pdf form http://www.bibleunderstanding.com/pdfwritings.htm 

What is the place of the book of Hebrews, assuming Paul did write it?

What is the place of the book of Hebrews, assuming Paul did write it? Even if he did not, and assuming it does have a relatively late date, what is its purpose in light of the revelation of the mystery in Ephesians?

Brian responds:  

This is an interesting read regarding Hebrews authorship on this link http://www.bibleunderstanding.com/biblestudies.htm under "Various Subjects".

Hebrews sits perfectly in the Acts period and is in full harmony with Romans, Galatians, Corinthians and Thessalonians. Hab.2:4 is found in Hebrews 10, Romans 1, and Gals.3 and Habakkuk is about the earth;Hab 2:14  For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

When Israel were unfaithful, (like the Acts period) the Lord made an oath the goal of which flows on through the prophets to Paul during Acts;
Num 14:21  But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD.Psa 72:18  Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. Psa 72:19  And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.Isa 11:9  They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
Isa 11:1  And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:Isa 11:10  And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.
Rom 15:12  And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.
Rom 15:13  Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

The hope of Hebrews and Romans is the realization of the oath of the Lord in Numbers 14.

Hebrews fits perfectly into this earthly redemptive theme. As Paul was a minister of the New Covenant, 2Cor.3, then Hebrews brings this forth beautifully. Paul wrote in Romans the Day was at hand, 13:11-12, the night far spent, Hebs.10 speaks from Hab., of yet a little while. Trumpets in Corinthians, Thessalonians, and Hebrews. The Day of the Lord in Thessalonians is the Day of Roms.13, and the book of Revelation. We who are alive and remain of Thessalonians are not the we of today. The seed of Abraham in Hebs.2 is in harmony with Gals.3

The writing of Hebrews might be late in the Acts period, which shows the consistency of the Acts period hope, namely that of Israel, cp Acts 26:6-7.

What is the hope of the church, the body of Christ?

In practical terms, what is the Christian's hope as found in Paul's final letters?

Brian's response:
 
Eph.2:4-8 and Col.3:1-4. The Appearing is not a rapture. We shall appear with Him in glory, where He is seated at the Father's right. This is way above the clouds and air. Clouds and air are inseparable from the earthly Israel purpose. Practically, we will arrive in time for that appearing with the same power which raised Him from the grace to the Father's right, Eph.1:18-2:9, the power in us is according to the power in Him.

Is There Still the Hope of the "Rapture"?

What is the Acts 28 view of the hope of the Rapture given that Thessalonians was written very early?   Does it apply to us today?   Did it ever?


Brian's response:  The rapture is a deception, IMHO.  There are Acts 28ers who hold to it.  I cover this extensively in my book. There is nothing in 1Thess.4:13-18 which says anyone, including Christ is going back into heaven. The rapture was foreshadowed in the OT, is the hope of Israel as is the fulfillment of the Feast of Trumpets. IF we are reading the Feasts in Paul, we are reading none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come. The Feasts were Israel's typical deliverance, these being fulfilled and about to be, are the same national deliverance of Israel with a remnant and the grace of God upon them, preserving them in their unbelief, Roms.9, 11:28.

Is Christ's Return Imminent or Are There Signs We Should Look For?

What do you believe is the prophetic timing of the Lord's appearing? That is to say...according to standard rapture timing, it is imminent, meaning nothing awaits it's happening and it could happen at any time. Would you agree that far with regard to His return? Or is there something yet to look for...the construction of a new temple in Jerusalem, perhaps...that must take place before He returns for us?

Brian answers:   Our Lord's return is some time away yet, IMHO. There is no basis for any return, or church disappearance "at any time" now. In fact, I would suggest highly unlikely for another 30-40 years.

The beasts of Daniel 8, and Rev.13 are nowhere in view, the wars and rumors of wars relate to wars in the middle east around Israel, and involve such nations as are featured in prophesy. This would include Syria, Greece, Turkey, Iran and Egypt. I believe the Temple needs to be rebuilt and feature as it is written..

I do not believe the Lord was "cut off" at the 69th week, rather the 62nd. If this be true, there remains from the cross another 56 years. The Acts period ran for about 40 years and at Acts 28 the 490 years were interrupted when Israel was set aside according to Is.6 Thus we find about 16 (or 21) years of Daniel's 490 years to run. When will these remaining years resume? I believe at the dedication of Israel's Temple.