THE EPISTLE JUDE

WELCOME TO PASTOR DR. CARLOTTA'S COUNSELING CENTER.

The Epistle of Jude is a passionate plea to Christians to beware of Spiritual contamination by evil men. Jude had originally intended to write a doctrinal epistle, dwelling on the grand subject of salvation. But the infiltration of false teachers and immoral persons into Christian circles has become so widespread that Jude was constrained by the Spirit to devote most of his letter to warning his fellow believers about that serious threat.

This brief but hard hitting letter was against false teachers who were blatantly antinomian, i.e., they taught that salvation by grace allowed them to sin without condemnation, and who were contemptuously denying the original Apostolic Revelation about the person and nature of Jesus Christ v. 4. Thus they were dividing the churches on what to believe vs. 19, 22, and how to behave vs.4 8, 16. Jude describes these unprincipled men as ungodly v. 15, and as those who do not have the Spirit. v. 19.

The probable relationship between Jude and Second Peter 2:1-3:4 has a bearing on when Jude was written. Most likely Jude was familiar with Second Peter Jude 17-18, and therefore he wrote after Peter, sometimes between A.D. 70-80. The recipients are not identified specifically, but may have been the same as those addressed in Second Peter.

AUTHOR

The author is identified in verse one by name. Jude tells us he is the brother of James, and relate to Christ as a servant, a bond slave. There are strong reasons for believing that this James was the half brother of Jesus, which associates Jude to Jesus in the same way. If Jude was Jesus half brother, then he became a believer after Christ's resurrection. Jn. 7:5; Acts. 1:14. From verse seventeen (17) of Jude, we gather that Jude did not classify himself as an apostle.

ADDRESSEES

Those to whom Jude wrote this letter may have been members of Jewish churches of Palestine in Asia Minor, where he probably was ministering at this time.

DATE

A suggested date for the writing of the epistle is around A.D. 67-68, shortly before the fall of Jerusalem, A.D. 70. It is difficult to determine an exact date for the writing of this epistle. Many suggest that it was probably around 66 or 67 A.D. Others feel that it would be later, possibly between 80 and 90 A.D. due to the developing of some of the heresies that seem to be suggested in the epistle.

OCCASION AND PURPOSE

Jude clearly states in his epistle what impelled him to write as he did. The leaven of such evils as gross immorality, antinomianism, rejection of the lordship of Christ, and mockery was beginning to spread in churches through the influences of certain men. vs. 4. That sirred Jude to write what one man of has called "an impassioned invective, in the whirlwind of which the writer is hurried along, laboring for words and images strong enough to depict the polluted character of the licentious apostates against whom he is warning the Church."

Jude's writing was to present facts of salvation, and to deal with the theat of false teachers. He encouraged the people to earnestly contend for the faith. He placed a strong emphasis on the dealing with false teachers and gave a warning to the recipients.

He urgently warns believers about their serious threat of false teachers and their subversive influence within the churches, and to forcefully challenge all true believers to rise up and contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints vs. 3.

JUDGEMENT ON THE FALSE TEACHERS

Briefly telling them to give diligence to their salvation and the faith which has been delivered to the saints, Jude then went into a lengthy discussion warning about false teachers. vs. 3-16. This list of evil and false practices given involves a large number of things. Judgement is promised upon all who are ungodly.

Three (3) outstanding examples from Old Testament history are presented.

Cain is referred to, and he represents the murderer. Ge. 4:1-15.

Balaam typifies the adulteress mind. Nu. chps. 22-24.

Korah's rebellion against God's chosen leadership and his gainsaying is presented Nu. 16:1-40.

The evil teachers that were among them were as bad as the most reprehensible characters in Israel's past.

EXHORTATIONS TO CHRISTIANS

Readers are directed to recall the word of the Lord Jesus telling them that mockers and false teachers will arise, but they are encouraged to build themselves up in their most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost. vs. 20. Christian are to keep themselves in God's love and rest in His mercy for eternal life. They are also to walk in love and purity, serving Him. vs. 17-23.

If you haven't accepted Christ as your Savior simply say in an audible voice, in all sincerity from the depths of your heart, "Lord Jesus Christ, forgive me of my sins and accept me as Your child. I accept You as my personal Savior and I promise to follow the instructions of Your Word from this day on. If I fail because I am human, please help pick me up so I can try again! Thank you, Jesus, for saving me from all my sins. AMEN