I think most people really don't know what this song is about. Yes it is written from the standpoint of Jesus brother James who was one of the original teachers of "Christianity."
It is also written about Paul who persecuted the first Christians including James before having a revelation and changing over to "Christianity."
Unfortunately Paul in the Bible did not teach about Christ's life and teachings. He twisted the words of Christ and got away from the early christians who were called Essene Nazarenes and they included Jesus' brother James. Paul was an agent of the Jewish puppet-government installed by imperial Rome.
He basically created what we know today as mainstream Christianity preaching that salvation is through believing in Christ rather than following his works, which is not what was taught by Jesus.
Paul never even met Jesus. Look at the lyrics. James is speaking.
Paul is making me nervous, Paul is making me scared. Walk into this room he swaggers like he's God's own messenger. Changed the name of my brother (Jesus Christ was known to his followers, the real Apostles as Yeshua). Changed the things that he said (Paul distorting His words).
Says he speaks to him
But he never even knew the man (Paul never did know Jesus although he acted like he knew Him better than the actual people who lived with him and followed him).
Unfortunately that's how mainstream Christianity was created. This false belief that all you have to do to achieve salvation is believe in Jesus... Jesus never taught that.
Paul did. There are TONs of books about this Pauline doctrine. Paul vs. Jesus. It's incredibly interesting stuff.
You are right about Paul, up until the time when he was transformed by God and dedicated the rest of his life serving him, and preaching the gospel. He stood on the principle that we were saved by grace, and not by law. I believe the "Changing into my brother" line refers to the transformation he underwent which completely changed his life and purpose.
You are right about Paul, up until the time when he was transformed by God and dedicated the rest of his life serving him, and preaching the gospel. He stood on the principle that we were saved by grace, and not by law. I believe the "Changing into my brother" line refers to the transformation he underwent which completely changed his life and purpose.
The trouble is "Changing into my brother" isn't a line in the song. The line is "Changed the name of my brother". If you change the words to the song, heck, you can make the song say anything.
The trouble is "Changing into my brother" isn't a line in the song. The line is "Changed the name of my brother". If you change the words to the song, heck, you can make the song say anything.
@DHNF You are largely correct. But the line is "Changed the name of my brother" which I believe is referring to the fact that Paul called him Christ, which is the title given to the savior, not really a name.
But yes, if you read Mathew, Mark and Luke, only once in all of that does Jesus make a comment regarding belief in him: Matthew 10:33 "but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven."
With regards to being saved, however, Jesus says a lot of stuff. There are, of course what he said...
@DHNF You are largely correct. But the line is "Changed the name of my brother" which I believe is referring to the fact that Paul called him Christ, which is the title given to the savior, not really a name.
But yes, if you read Mathew, Mark and Luke, only once in all of that does Jesus make a comment regarding belief in him: Matthew 10:33 "but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven."
With regards to being saved, however, Jesus says a lot of stuff. There are, of course what he said were the two most important commandments: Love God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind, and Love your neighbor as yourself. He said that you are not saved by following rules, but by the purity of your motives. That it's almost impossible (if not impossible) if you're rich. You must be committed to living a life of service to others. You must be humble. You must use your gifts to serve God and others. That you must repent and seek forgiveness.
Those are all things Jesus says is Matthew, Mark and Luke. If you look at John (which was very probably written in Ephesus after Paul established a church there, so is really very Pauline in its writing) or the epistles of Paul, there are only 2 things required for salvation: Faith in Christ and Practice good works.
Paul does not reflect the teachings of Jesus and certainly not in what's required for salvation.
@DHNF But it wasn't Paul that called Jesus the Christ, it was Peter who first called him Christ, and Jesus confirmed the designation.
@DHNF But it wasn't Paul that called Jesus the Christ, it was Peter who first called him Christ, and Jesus confirmed the designation.
From Matthew 16:
From Matthew 16:
15“But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?”
15“But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?”
16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
17Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven.
17Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven.
Regarding the Essenes, they weren't Christian. They were a Jewish sect that developed before Christ was born. I'm not sure where you...
Regarding the Essenes, they weren't Christian. They were a Jewish sect that developed before Christ was born. I'm not sure where you heard that James was an Essene, but there is no credible evidence that that is true.
Finally, Jesus himself taught that belief in him was all that was required for salvation in his famous conversation with Nicodemus. From John 3:
14Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life.
16For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. 18Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
When he says "Whoever believes in Him is not condemned", it's pretty clear what his intent is, and Paul built on this intent when he wrote Romans and his other letters.
Unfortunately the lyrics to this song show an incomplete knowledge of what the Bible says. I would recommend reading the source material first before believing what other writers have written 2000 years after the facts.
"Paul was an agent of the Roman puppet government"....where is your source document for this?
"Paul was an agent of the Roman puppet government"....where is your source document for this?
If you are going to purport understanding the gospel....then get it right.
If you are going to purport understanding the gospel....then get it right.
"Belief", according to scripture, is not just a mental assent - true enough. But the Apostle Paul never spoke of belief in this manner but rather a surrendering of the self over to the truth that salvation from God is FROM GOD. "All of your righteous deeds are like filthy garmets before YHWH"
"Belief", according to scripture, is not just a mental assent - true enough. But the Apostle Paul never spoke of belief in this manner but rather a surrendering of the self over to the truth that salvation from God is FROM GOD. "All of your righteous deeds are like filthy garmets before YHWH"
"Paul was an agent of the Roman puppet government"....where is your source document for this?
"Paul was an agent of the Roman puppet government"....where is your source document for this?
If you are going to purport understanding the gospel....then get it right.
If you are going to purport understanding the gospel....then get it right.
"Belief", according to scripture, is not just a mental assent - true enough. But the Apostle Paul never spoke of belief in this manner but rather a surrendering of the self over to the truth that salvation from God is FROM GOD. "All of your righteous deeds are like filthy garmets before YHWH"
"Belief", according to scripture, is not just a mental assent - true enough. But the Apostle Paul never spoke of belief in this manner but rather a surrendering of the self over to the truth that salvation from God is FROM GOD. "All of your righteous deeds are like filthy garmets before YHWH"
I think most people really don't know what this song is about. Yes it is written from the standpoint of Jesus brother James who was one of the original teachers of "Christianity."
It is also written about Paul who persecuted the first Christians including James before having a revelation and changing over to "Christianity."
Unfortunately Paul in the Bible did not teach about Christ's life and teachings. He twisted the words of Christ and got away from the early christians who were called Essene Nazarenes and they included Jesus' brother James. Paul was an agent of the Jewish puppet-government installed by imperial Rome.
He basically created what we know today as mainstream Christianity preaching that salvation is through believing in Christ rather than following his works, which is not what was taught by Jesus.
Paul never even met Jesus. Look at the lyrics. James is speaking.
Paul is making me nervous, Paul is making me scared. Walk into this room he swaggers like he's God's own messenger. Changed the name of my brother (Jesus Christ was known to his followers, the real Apostles as Yeshua). Changed the things that he said (Paul distorting His words).
Says he speaks to him
But he never even knew the man (Paul never did know Jesus although he acted like he knew Him better than the actual people who lived with him and followed him).
Unfortunately that's how mainstream Christianity was created. This false belief that all you have to do to achieve salvation is believe in Jesus... Jesus never taught that.
Paul did. There are TONs of books about this Pauline doctrine. Paul vs. Jesus. It's incredibly interesting stuff.
You are right about Paul, up until the time when he was transformed by God and dedicated the rest of his life serving him, and preaching the gospel. He stood on the principle that we were saved by grace, and not by law. I believe the "Changing into my brother" line refers to the transformation he underwent which completely changed his life and purpose.
You are right about Paul, up until the time when he was transformed by God and dedicated the rest of his life serving him, and preaching the gospel. He stood on the principle that we were saved by grace, and not by law. I believe the "Changing into my brother" line refers to the transformation he underwent which completely changed his life and purpose.
The trouble is "Changing into my brother" isn't a line in the song. The line is "Changed the name of my brother". If you change the words to the song, heck, you can make the song say anything.
The trouble is "Changing into my brother" isn't a line in the song. The line is "Changed the name of my brother". If you change the words to the song, heck, you can make the song say anything.
@DHNF You are largely correct. But the line is "Changed the name of my brother" which I believe is referring to the fact that Paul called him Christ, which is the title given to the savior, not really a name. But yes, if you read Mathew, Mark and Luke, only once in all of that does Jesus make a comment regarding belief in him: Matthew 10:33 "but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven." With regards to being saved, however, Jesus says a lot of stuff. There are, of course what he said...
@DHNF You are largely correct. But the line is "Changed the name of my brother" which I believe is referring to the fact that Paul called him Christ, which is the title given to the savior, not really a name. But yes, if you read Mathew, Mark and Luke, only once in all of that does Jesus make a comment regarding belief in him: Matthew 10:33 "but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven." With regards to being saved, however, Jesus says a lot of stuff. There are, of course what he said were the two most important commandments: Love God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind, and Love your neighbor as yourself. He said that you are not saved by following rules, but by the purity of your motives. That it's almost impossible (if not impossible) if you're rich. You must be committed to living a life of service to others. You must be humble. You must use your gifts to serve God and others. That you must repent and seek forgiveness. Those are all things Jesus says is Matthew, Mark and Luke. If you look at John (which was very probably written in Ephesus after Paul established a church there, so is really very Pauline in its writing) or the epistles of Paul, there are only 2 things required for salvation: Faith in Christ and Practice good works. Paul does not reflect the teachings of Jesus and certainly not in what's required for salvation.
@DHNF But it wasn't Paul that called Jesus the Christ, it was Peter who first called him Christ, and Jesus confirmed the designation.
@DHNF But it wasn't Paul that called Jesus the Christ, it was Peter who first called him Christ, and Jesus confirmed the designation.
From Matthew 16:
From Matthew 16:
15“But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?”
15“But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?”
16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
17Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven.
17Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven.
Regarding the Essenes, they weren't Christian. They were a Jewish sect that developed before Christ was born. I'm not sure where you...
Regarding the Essenes, they weren't Christian. They were a Jewish sect that developed before Christ was born. I'm not sure where you heard that James was an Essene, but there is no credible evidence that that is true.
Finally, Jesus himself taught that belief in him was all that was required for salvation in his famous conversation with Nicodemus. From John 3:
14Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life.
16For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. 18Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
When he says "Whoever believes in Him is not condemned", it's pretty clear what his intent is, and Paul built on this intent when he wrote Romans and his other letters.
Unfortunately the lyrics to this song show an incomplete knowledge of what the Bible says. I would recommend reading the source material first before believing what other writers have written 2000 years after the facts.
@DHNF You do not understand hermeneutics.
@DHNF You do not understand hermeneutics.
"Paul was an agent of the Roman puppet government"....where is your source document for this?
"Paul was an agent of the Roman puppet government"....where is your source document for this?
If you are going to purport understanding the gospel....then get it right.
If you are going to purport understanding the gospel....then get it right.
"Belief", according to scripture, is not just a mental assent - true enough. But the Apostle Paul never spoke of belief in this manner but rather a surrendering of the self over to the truth that salvation from God is FROM GOD. "All of your righteous deeds are like filthy garmets before YHWH"
"Belief", according to scripture, is not just a mental assent - true enough. But the Apostle Paul never spoke of belief in this manner but rather a surrendering of the self over to the truth that salvation from God is FROM GOD. "All of your righteous deeds are like filthy garmets before YHWH"
God through the Christ saves. Period.
God through the Christ saves. Period.
@DHNF You do not understand hermeneutics.
@DHNF You do not understand hermeneutics.
"Paul was an agent of the Roman puppet government"....where is your source document for this?
"Paul was an agent of the Roman puppet government"....where is your source document for this?
If you are going to purport understanding the gospel....then get it right.
If you are going to purport understanding the gospel....then get it right.
"Belief", according to scripture, is not just a mental assent - true enough. But the Apostle Paul never spoke of belief in this manner but rather a surrendering of the self over to the truth that salvation from God is FROM GOD. "All of your righteous deeds are like filthy garmets before YHWH"
"Belief", according to scripture, is not just a mental assent - true enough. But the Apostle Paul never spoke of belief in this manner but rather a surrendering of the self over to the truth that salvation from God is FROM GOD. "All of your righteous deeds are like filthy garmets before YHWH"
God through the Christ saves. Period.
God through the Christ saves. Period.