1. Please show the evidence that James was writing to people who were already saved.
To whom was James written? (from my bible)
The twelve tribes (James 1:1) meaning either the people of Israel who had become believers in Christ or the church in a symbolic sense - both Jewish and Gentile believers (Gal 6:16)
Also:
Author: The author of this epistle (letter) is James, also called James the Just, who is thought to be the brother of Jesus Christ (
Matthew 13:55;
Mark 6:3). James was not a believer (
John 7:3-5) until after the resurrection (
Acts 1:14;
1 Corinthians 15:7;
Galatians 1:19). He became the head of the Jerusalem church and is mentioned first as a pillar of the church (
Galatians 2:9).
Date of Writing: The Book of James is probably the oldest book of the New Testament, written perhaps as early as A.D. 45, before the first council of Jerusalem in A.D. 50. James was martyred in approximately A.D. 62, according to the historian Josephus.
Purpose of Writing: Some think that this epistle was written in response to an overzealous interpretation of Pauls teaching regarding faith. This extreme view, called antinomianism, held that through faith in Christ one is completely free from all Old Testament law, all legalism, all secular law, and all the morality of a society. The Book of James is directed to Jewish Christians scattered among all the nations (
James 1:1). Martin Luther, who detested this letter and called it the epistle of straw, failed to recognize that Jamess teaching on works complementednot contradictedPauls teaching on faith. While Pauline teachings concentrate on our justification with God, James teachings concentrate on the works that exemplify that justification. James was writing to Jews to encourage them to continue growing in this new Christian faith. James emphasizes that good actions will naturally flow from those who are filled with the Spirit and questions whether someone may or may not have a saving faith if the fruits of the Spirit cannot be seen, much as Paul describes in
Galatians 5:22-23.
Brief Summary: The Book of James outlines the faith walk through genuine religion (1:1-27), genuine faith (2:1-3:12) and genuine wisdom (3:13-5:20). This book contains a remarkable parallel to Jesus Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7. James begins in the first chapter by describing the overall traits of the faith walk. In chapter 2 and the beginning of chapter 3 he discusses social justice and a discourse on faith in action. He then compares and contrasts the difference between worldly and godly wisdom and asks us to turn away from evil and draw close to God. James gives a particularly severe rebuke to the rich who hoard and those who are self-reliant. Finally he ends with encouragement to believers to be patient in suffering, praying and caring for one another and bolstering our faith through fellowship.
Connections: The Book of James is the ultimate description of the relationship between faith and works. So ingrained in the Mosaic Law and its system of works were the Jewish Christians to whom James wrote that he spent considerable time explaining the difficult truth that no one is justified by the works of the law (
Galatians 2:16). He declares to them that even if they try their very best to keep all the various laws and rituals, doing so is impossible, and transgressing the tiniest part of the law made them guilty of all of it (
James 2:10) because the law is one entity and breaking one part of it is breaking all of it.
Book of James - Bible Survey
I guess that's one way to avoid the question.
3. The Amplified Bible has authority because? It's another obviously biased translation by biased Pauline Antinomians, like the NIV. Why does their authority of the word "Grace" have meaning?
Why am I not surprised.
Holman Bible Dictionary
Grace - undeserved acceptance and love received from another, especially the characteristic attitude of God in providing salvation for sinners. For Christians, the word "grace" is virtually synonymous with the gospel of God's gift of unmerited salvation in Jesus Christ. (there's more, I can type the rest out later if you want it)
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Grace
Of form or person (
Proverbs 1:9;
3:22;
Psalms 45:2).
Favour, kindness, friendship (
Genesis 6:8;
18:3;
19:19;
2Tim
1:9).
God's forgiving mercy (
Romans 11:6;
Ephesians 2:5).
The gospel as distinguished from the law (
John 1:17;
Romans 6:14;
1 Peter 5:12).
Gifts freely bestowed by God; as miracles, prophecy, tongues (
Romans 15:15;
1 Corinthians 15:10;
Ephesians 3:8).
Christian virtues (
2 Corinthians 8:7;
2Pet
3:18).
The glory hereafter to be revealed (
1 Peter 1:13).
Grace - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary
a: unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification
b : a virtue coming from God
c : a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace