Why don't Christians recognize James "the Just", brother of Jesus as his true successor?

Question

Why don't Christians recognize James "the Just", brother of Jesus as his true successor?

Certainly, the earliest of christian historians recognize his historic existenced and role as Head of the Jerusalem Church and annointed successor to his blood brother Jesus (See: Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History. 3.11.1, Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History. 4.22.0, Hegesippus as quoted in Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, Book II, xxiii, Josephus, Jewish Wars, Book II, 272-6).

So why don't they talk about the fact he was in charge immediately after the crucifixtion of his blood brother? And why don't they talk about his brutal murder?

Pope Linus (son of Queen Boudica) was the first Patriarch of Rome, appointed by Paul before his arrest (pre 62 CE), but there is no evidence Peter was ever before him, nor visited Rome before his execution. So why do Christians still ignore James, the blood brother of Jesus?

FYI, the idea that Jesus had no successor
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I like many of the answers that consider Jesus not to have any legitimate successor, given his position. The problem is this is not the churches position. I apologize for not being clearer in my original question as to "the church" ignoring James, not Christians per se. Again apologies for all thoughtful Christians.

Answer 1

We don't need to.

Jesus had no successor.

In fact, didn't Jesus once say that we ought not ever call anyone "rabbi" since all of us are on the same level as brothers?

Answer 2

First of all, James was not Jesus' brother. He was perhaps a kinsman, maybe a cousin, but he was not a brother because Mary was a lifelong virgin.

The Bible uses the word "brother" dozens of times in situations where the people involved clearly were not siblings.

Second, it's not true that "there is no evidence Peter ever visited Rome."

Read his letter in the New Testament -- he uses "Babylon" as a code word for Rome, from which he was writing the letter.

There is also a great deal of early Christian history which specifically tells us that Peter was in Rome well before his crucifixion.

.

Answer 3

Good questions Kristina ! 1) God is the Trinity: God The Father, God The Son, God The Holy Spirit. 2) What makes you a Christian ? be letting Jesus Christ be Your Lord, Protector and help You to be Your best ! 3) Jesus is Lord God ! see answer 1 as God is made up of 3 Entities in 1. Jesus is also the known as "The Word" (the bible) 4) Jesus came to Earth to be our Messiah (meaning the Chosen one or Saviour, to deliver us and save us from hell - and hell can be hell on earth if one doesn't have strong faith in Jesus. You are right ! 5) Don't worry about negative things you see on Yahoo, like your going to hell if you do this or that, or youre a sinner if you do that, remember Jesus already came to Earth as a man in the flesh and did away with sin ! That is power that overcomes anything and everything negative !

Answer 4

Jesus did not have a successor nor does he need one.Christ is now seated at the right hand of his heavenly Father Jehovah ruling as King of God's Kingdom.
Jesus is still head of the congregation.
(Eph.5:23;Heb.7:23-25).
After the death of Christ,the apostles and the older men oversaw the preaching and teaching work,in the various congregations.But they were all equal.There was not just one in charge as Christendom would have people believe.
James,Jesus' half brother although,not a apostle,it was evidently this James who became an overseer of the Christian congregation at Jerusalem(Act.12:17)

Answer 5

During the 325 years from the death of Christ to the compilation of the Bible, Christians were taught from various written works which were controversial and sometimes contradictory. These problems threatened to tear the religion apart. In 325 AD, the First Council of Nicea, which was composed of 300 Christian bishops, was given the task of sorting through the sacred texts and placing the majority of them in order in one book, which has become the keystone of modern day Christians. What text was eliminated and the reasons behind their decisions are lost to history. I'm sure the reference you mentioned are some that were not destroyed, but were left out because of the controversy. (See the other responses? Case in point. I'm sure these were similar to the comments made at the Council.)

So, to answer your question, the text you referred to is unheard of in the Christian church. I've been exposed to Christian teachings my whole life and, honestly, this is the first I've heard of these events.

In short, we don't recognize James in this position because it's not part of the Bible, therefore is not truthful. The blame for this, if there is to be blame placed at all, should be rightly placed on the First Council of Nicea, which occurred some 1700 years ago, in their efforts to solidify and blend accepted Church doctrine.

Blessings

Answer 6

The word successor means someone to take over where the last one left off, & no one can replace Jesus Christ position.

Answer 7

Because Jesus doesn't need a successor. He's not dead. James was just His brother. I'm sure he has his place but there's no need to sanctify him. He's just a person like we are. Jesus passed on His teachings for all of us to share if we want. There doesn't need to be another Jesus because one was enough.

Answer 8

Jesus chose Peter to build and head his church, and prophesied Paul, to 'carry' him to Rome. -Matthew 16:18 & John 21:15-25

Answer 9

The apostles and disciples of Jesus were all sent to proclaim His Gospel. Some may got more publicity/ attention than others. However if their true hope and reward are in heaven, why fight over popularity?

Obviously they didn't care. And thank God for their noble spirits!

Answer 10

Since when do Christians ignore James? We read his epistle in the NT don't we.
I Cr 13;8a

And BTW isn't Jesus the Head of the Church and isn't it His decision as to who we are to follow?