Ascents of James

JAMES, ASCENTS OF. A document mentioned in connection with the Ebionites by Epiphanius (Pan. 30.16), who says it presented James as speaking against the Temple, sacrifice, and the altar fire. It was also violently hostile to Paul. Taking Acts 21:39 as a starting point, the Ebionites alleged that Paul was a Gr., born of Gr. parents, who after a stay in Jerusalem wanted to marry the high priest’s daughter, and so became a proselyte and submitted to circumcision. Later, enraged at the disappointment of his hopes, he wrote against circumcision, the Sabbath, and the law.