This document is about James (Brother of Jesus). For other homonyms, please refer to the James document.
He was the physical brother of Jesus.
Matt 13:55"Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?"
It seems that he did not believe Jesus was the Messiah during Jesus' lifetime.
John 7:1After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him.John 7:2Now the Jews' Feast of Booths was at hand.John 7:3So his brothers said to him, "Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing.John 7:4For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world."John 7:5For not even his brothers believed in him.
It appears that Jesus resurrected and appeared to James after his death, and it is presumed that James accepted Jesus as his Savior at that time.
1 Cor 15:7Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.
Afterward, he served as a leader of the Jerusalem church and discussed with Paul about legalistic traditions and salvation by faith, establishing standards.
Acts 12:17Peter motioned to them with his hand to be silent and described how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he added, "Tell these things to James and to the brothers." Then he departed and went to another place.