JUNE 28, 2009  

BIBLE SURVEY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT LESSON 10 THE BOOK OF JUDE

According to Matthew 1 :20-25 Joseph took Mary his wife understanding that she was of child by the Holy Spirit and "did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS." After this she became the regular wife of Joseph and they had four other sons and some daughters. Later when Jesus was teaching in the synagogue at Nazareth they were astonished and said, "Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is this not the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary? And his brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?" (Matthew 13:54-56). It was after His resurrection that the brothers of Jesus were convinced and converted to his being the Savior of the world. Jude is a shortened form of Judas and in verse one of this epistle he said he Was the brother of James, another brother of Jesus. We then conclude that this epistle was written by him. He was not an apostle but to be qualified he had the apostles' hands laid on him thus inspiring him to write this letter. It was written somewhere between 64 and 68 A. D.

The theme of the book is verse 3: "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write to you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith once delivered unto the saints." The reason for this theme is given in verse 4 - "For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly mbn turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness and denying the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ." Jude was written to exhort the brethren then and all men now to stick with the truth and not allow these creeping errors to engulf them and destroy their souls. Here are some of the lessons we can all learn from this book.

1. We have a common salvation. (Vs. 3). It is based on a common Savior - Jesus Christ (John 14:6). It is entered by a common invitation (Matt. II :28-30). The acceptance of a common gospel based on the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus (I Corinthians 15:1-4). All are to obey a form of that doctrine to be made free from sins (Romans 6:17, 18 - see Romans 6:3-5 to see how).

2. We are to Earnestly Contend for the Faith. Jesus contended for the faith (John 8). Stephen disputed with the Jews thus contending for the faith (Acts 6:9,10). Paul was set for the defense of the gospel (Philippians 1:17). Paul disputed in the synagogue at Athens and in the Market also (Acts 17: 17). It is right to stand up for the true gospel and to militantly take it to the lost world.

3. We must realize that there is one true faith (Ephesians 4:5) which is the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the power of God to salvation to everyone who believes it (Romans 1:16). This gospel needs to be preached, believed and obeyed (Romans 10: 13-17).

4. We must realize that the Faith has once for all been delivered to the world. It is the 27 books of the New Testament. When these books were all written prophecy ceased (I Corinthians 13:8-10).

5. There have been false teachers through all these years to turn people from the faith. The devil is active and is trying to keep people from the way of salvation which is revealed in the New Testament. They creep in unawares and turn the grace of God into lasciviousness. They condone sins of the flesh such as social drinking of alcohol and taking drugs, lying when it is to an advantage, and sexual immorality. After giving examples of Israel's fall in the wilderness, Angels who sinned being in chains of darkness awaiting the judgment, and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Jude described how these people would take advantage of the Christians for greedy gain.

6. Fortifications against being led astray are also given in Jude. We should remember the words of the scriptures (Vs. 18, 19); Build ourselves up in the most holy faith (V s. 20); Have an effectual prayer life (Vs. 20); keep ourselves in the love of God (Vs. 21); Have compassion for the lost (Vs. 22, 23); and depend on the strength and help of Christ our Savior (V s. 24, 25).

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. Name the earthly brothers of Jesus. _______________________________________________

2. How did Jude qualify to write a book of the New Testament?___________________________

3. What is the theme of Jude? _____________________________________________________

4. What was the reason for this theme? ______________________________________________

5. What all is common about salvation? _____________________________________________

6. Did the early Christians contend for the faith? ______________________________________

7. Is there only one true faith? _____________________________________________________

8. What are some of the ways false teachers lead astray? ________________________________

9. What is the formula to fortify ourselves from them? __________________________________