# 308 - Today we read from Mr 3:18, “Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Cananite; 19 and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.”
Next on the list of appointed disciples is James the son of Alphaeus. This is a very difficult Apostle to track down. Some have made him out to be James the “brother of the Lord.” I have a hard time accepting that theory because of what is written in Jn 7:5, “For not even His brothers believed in Him.” it would seem unlikely that an unbelieving brother would've taken up with this band of disciples.
James, “the brother of Jesus” would come to faith after the resurrection of Jesus. Perhaps on the occasion of His special appearance to James as recorded in 1 Cor 15:7, “Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles.”
There are other theories about the identity of this “James the son of Alphaeus,” but they are just that....theories. And if James the son of Alphaeus can teach us anything let it be that sometimes the Scriptures are silent on these matters.
It is enough to know that James, the son of Alphaeus was one of the original twelve apostles. If the Holy Spirit would've wanted us to know more about him, we would find it in the Scriptures.
Better to let the Scriptures remain silent on some matters, than to craft tales to support frivolous theology.
I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word.
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