James the Just and the Early Jesus Movement: A Glimpse Into the Early Church

It’s a fascinating mystery: who were the first followers of Jesus, and what did they really believe? The answer might surprise those familiar with modern Christianity. The early Jesus movement, led by James the Just, was a distinctly Jewish group devoted to Torah observance and the teachings of Jesus, not the theology that would eventually dominate through the work of Paul. In this post, we’ll explore the original, grassroots Jesus movement, led by James and its authentic teachings. We’ll also highlight key scholars who, like us, are convinced that the real Jesus movement had much more to do with James than with Paul.

Who Was James the Just?

James, often called “the Just” for his unshakable piety and respect within Jewish communities, was the brother of Jesus and the true leader of the Jesus movement after his brother’s death. James was no side character—he was the key figure in the first community of believers, leading the group from Jerusalem. While he’s often overshadowed by Paul in Christian tradition, we would argue, with the support of scholars like Robert Eisenman and James Tabor, that James and his community represented the authentic continuation of Jesus' teachings, not the increasingly Hellenized version promoted by Paul.

The Jerusalem Church: A Jewish Community of Jesus Followers

The Jerusalem church wasn’t what we’d recognize today as "Christian" in the typical sense. The followers of Jesus led by James observed the Torah, prayed in the Temple, and had little interest in abandoning their Jewish identity. For them, Jesus was the awaited Messiah of Israel, not a divine figure sent to replace or dismantle Judaism. This group believed in keeping kosher, observing Jewish festivals, and maintaining traditional piety. The early community in Jerusalem would have looked and felt very different from the diverse and often Gentile “churches” Paul would later set up across the Mediterranean.

In fact, the so-called "Council of Jerusalem," as described in Acts 15, reveals James’ leadership and his dedication to keeping the Jesus movement within a Jewish framework. James was clear about his expectations: while Gentiles could join, they were expected to honor certain core Jewish laws. This was an authentic vision of inclusivity—one that didn’t dilute or abandon Jewish practices, but rather incorporated Gentiles within a Jewish context.

Key Figures in the Study of the Early Jewish-Christian Community

Research into this early period has drawn the attention of scholars who question the traditional Christian narrative and seek to highlight the Jewish character of Jesus’ earliest followers. Below are a few scholars whose work has helped bring James, not Paul, into the spotlight:

1. Robert Eisenman - Eisenman’s “James the Brother of Jesus” is a landmark work that repositions James as a pivotal figure within the early Jesus movement. He argues convincingly that James and his followers were marginalized by the later, Pauline-influenced church, which painted them as legalistic outsiders. Eisenman’s work reveals James as a Torah-observant Jew and key leader, whose influence was erased by what Eisenman describes as an “inauthentic” Pauline Christianity.

2. James Tabor - Tabor’s “The Jesus Dynasty” reconstructs the original Jesus movement as led by Jesus' family, especially James, who Tabor argues was the rightful leader after Jesus’ death. Tabor highlights the strong connection between James and Judaism, suggesting that Jesus’ family members—including James—saw their movement as part of Israel’s messianic hope, not a new religion. Tabor offers a compelling counter-narrative, asserting that James’ leadership was the authentic continuation of Jesus' mission, in stark contrast to Paul’s theology.

3. Richard Bauckham - While Bauckham is more moderate, his “James (New Testament Readings)” does underscore the significance of James and his leadership. Bauckham provides historical evidence that James played a leading role and that the early church respected him as a critical authority figure—especially in issues of Torah observance and community conduct.

4. Geza Vermes - Vermes, in works like “Christian Beginnings” and “The Changing Faces of Jesus,” reveals how the first followers of Jesus understood him as part of their Jewish faith. Vermes’ scholarship shows that, for James and his community, Jesus was a Jewish prophet and teacher, whose teachings they continued within a thoroughly Jewish context. Vermes’ insights highlight the Jewish character of the early Jesus movement.

5. John Painter - In “Just James,” Painter reconstructs the character of James as a devout, observant Jew who faithfully led the Jesus movement in its earliest days. Painter’s work suggests that James was more than just a church leader; he was a spiritual guide who upheld the teachings of Jesus within the framework of Jewish law, maintaining the original spirit of the movement.

Pauline Christianity: The Divergent Path

So, what happened to James’ movement? Quite simply, Paul happened. Paul's interpretation of Jesus’ teachings diverged sharply from James’ original vision, reinterpreting Jesus’ message for a largely Gentile audience. Paul’s views on the Torah—particularly his belief that it no longer applied to Gentile converts—were radical departures from the way of life James promoted. Paul’s followers would eventually dominate Christian tradition, and the legacy of James and the original Jesus movement faded.

While the Jerusalem church likely viewed Jesus as a mortal prophet and leader, Paul emphasized Jesus’ divinity, universalized his message, and detached it from Jewish observances. Scholars like Eisenman and Tabor argue that Paul essentially created a “new” religion that diverged significantly from Jesus’ original teachings and the practices of his first followers. By the second century, Pauline Christianity would be unrecognizable to James and his followers.

The Legacy of James and the Early Jesus Movement

The early church led by James represents a completely different version of the Jesus movement—one that kept Jesus firmly within a Jewish identity. As the church grew beyond Jerusalem, the movement lost its Jewish heart, and the teachings of James were overshadowed. What we now call “Christianity” owes more to Paul’s theological innovations than to Jesus’ original teachings as upheld by James.

The research of scholars like Eisenman, Tabor, and others brings this original, Jewish-centered Jesus movement to life. Their work reminds us that the first followers of Jesus were part of a Jewish reform movement that hoped for the coming Kingdom of God, rather than a new religion. Understanding this is essential for anyone wanting to connect with the roots of the Jesus movement as it was in its earliest, most authentic form.

Final Thoughts

The story of James the Just and the early Jewish-Christian community opens a window into a different kind of Jesus movement—one far closer to its Jewish roots than the Hellenized, Gentile Christianity that became the norm. For those who seek the true roots of Jesus' teachings, this period offers invaluable insight into a distinctly Jewish movement that didn’t need a new religion, just a fulfilled hope. The work of Eisenman, Tabor, and other scholars lights the way for those curious about the early Jesus movement, led by his family and rooted in his Jewish heritage.