and in response to my remarks concerning James, one of the 12 men chosen as Apostles - personally - by Jesus who lived with and taught them “The Way” for at least 3 years - and who (James) was Jesus’s blood brother and became the leader of the church in Jerusalem until his death in 62 AD. - and I mention the book of James as having, fortunately and narrowly made the cut into the Bible, you say: “James was a sweetheart. However, by your faith you shall be known, not by your good works.”
Let's see. James says:
14] What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
[15] If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
[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?
[17] Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
[18] Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
[19] Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
[20] But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”
Totally opposite from what Paul - not one of the original 12 Apostles, nor did he live with, travel with or get taught personally by Jesus - indeed - never set eyes on Jesus, well,
I tend to wonder if James might have had a better understanding of what Jesus taught.
Sorry, but there while there is agreement on who most of the twelve Apostles were, there is not total agreement in the synoptic gospels. As for Paul, he himself called his role Apostle to the Gentiles and gave Barnabas that title. Mark, though never included in the twelve is called the Apostle to Egypt. As for James, had the apostolic tradition been left in his hands it is likely that Christianity would never have moved very far from Jerusalem, and the movement would have died. Thanks to Paul, it would thrive. Finally, with faith comes good works, but the opposite is not necessarily true. If most often leads to self-righteousness.