Discerning Names

It was brought to my attention that my post on St. James needed more clarification as there seemed to be a question on whether or not St. James was one of the apostles. The following represents my research on the subject. I welcome your comments or questions? And, would be happy to provide more information as needed.

Reference:
The Orthodox Study Bible, New Testament and Psalms.

Many people confuse the apostles with Epistle writers, having the same name. We are told that there were twelve chosen. They are: Simon, called Peter, Andrew his brother, James (son of Zebedee), John his brother, Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Lebbaeus or Thaaddaeus, Simon, Judas, (or Jude).

Two apostles are named James.
In order to discern the two we must refer to scripture passages. The first one is James, son of Zebedee, his mother's name is Salome. He was the first of the 12 killed, by the sword and martyred by Herod Agrippa. (Acts 12:2).

The second one named was James, son of Alphaeus, (James the Less), took the gospel to Syria and Persia, may have been stones or beaten to death.

St. James, who is the brother or kinsman of our Lord.
(Not one of the twelve). Is Known as James, the Just. James is called a bond servant of God. An Epistle writer, the apostles made him the first bishop of Jerusalem (see Acts 12:17; 21:17, 18; Gal. 1:18, 19; 2:9), where he presided over the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:13), where he speaks as the Bishop of the Jerusalem Church. Oct. 23rd. remembrance of his martyrdom A.D. 62, where he was thrown out of the temple walls and clubbed to death.

James had a brother who was the author of the general Epistle of Jude, not to be confused with Jude who was one of the Twelve and was also called Thaddaeus, (surname) or Lebbaeus.(Matthew 10:3.) Also called brother of the Lord, and James the Just.

It is noted that both St. James and Jude, were not blood relatives of Mary the mother of Jesus, who is called ever virgin mother of God.

Reference:
"Twelve Ordinary Men",
John MacArthur
"There are several men with the name of James in the New Testament. We have already met James the son of Zebedee. The ninth name in Luke's list of the apostles (Luke 6: 14-16) is "James the son of Alphaeus" (v.15). He never attained any degree of fame or notoriety. There was another James, who was the son of Mary and Joseph and therefore a half brother of Christ (Galatians 1:19). The James who was Jesus' half brother apparently became a leader in the Jerusalem church. He was the spokesman who delivered the ruling at the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15: 13-21. He is also thought to be the same James who penned the New Testament epistle that bears his name. He is not the same James named as one of the apostles."