Jude

FROM WHOM? Jude identifies himself as the author of this book, but who is Jude? Jude was a common form of the name taken from one of the patriarchs, Judah, also often written Judas. Which Judas? There are several possibilities, but some are thrown out quickly by the text itself and common sense.

Judas Iscariot certainly is not the author, but there was another Judas who was one of the 12. Luke 6:16 and Acts 1:13 both list him and the KJV adds "brother of" before James. Even if this were accurate (in most similar cases they added "son of" rather than "brother of") it is unlikely that the apostle was the writer because the apostles are referred to as "they" as an outsider would in verses 17-18.

There was a Judas that traveled with Paul and Barnabas, but we don't know much about him beyond that, and why would he mention a brother that we don't even know existed.

The mention that he is brother of James leads some to an unmentioned brother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, or the possibility that James the less, also an apostle, had a brother named Jude. These are not entirely impossible, but it seems unlikely that one never mentioned elsewhere would have written this book when there are other possibilities. It would seem especially odd to mention James and not John since John was still living and James had died years earlier. Many of the newer Christians might not have even known of him.

The most likely candidate is the Lord's own half brother. Joseph's and Mary's sons are listed in Matthew 13:55 and James and Judas are in that list. In Mark 6:3 he is called Juda. James became very prominent in the church in Jerusalem, so that he was involved with the apostles and called a pillar of the church by Paul. He was well known and a reference to him as your brother would be meaningful to many who would have heard of that James. Why mention being the brother of James if he were not someone well known? Some may ask why he would not mention being the Lord's brother. He puts himself in a position of service to the Lord, not on an equal plain as a brother would be. It could be argued that his humility was part of the reason for this.

TO WHOM? This one of the "general" epistles(letters). It is simply sent to all the Christians (them that are sanctified . . . and preserved).

WHEN? There is no specific mention that declares a date, but there are indications that it has been some time since the beginning of the faith and the church. It is reasonable to think that it was written after 2 Peter (There are similarities and verse 18 may even be a reference to things prophesied in 2 Peter that have happened at the time of Jude's writing.), but before the death of James since he is mentioned. Somewhere between 60 and 65 is not unreasonable.

WHY? Here is an interesting case of evidence that the Spirit directed the writing of the scriptures. Jude's desire was to write a happy letter about the common salvation that they shared. It was not to be. Instead, the Spirit inspired him to write a sort of 'call to arms'. There was trouble that had to be dealt with and it was necessary to fight for the one true faith.

(Jude 1:1) Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:

*This book was written . . .

A. To Jude by James

B. To James by Jude

C. By Jude to many Christians

1

*What three words are used to describe those for whom the letter is intended?

*What is the relationship between Jude and Jesus in verse 1?

*What is the relationship between Jude and James in verse 1?

(Jude 1:2) Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.

*What 3 blessings are asked on behalf of the readers?

*Does the writer ask for these things in a small limited amount for the readers?

(Jude 1:3) Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

*What did Jude want to write about?

A. The growth of the church

B. The faith delivered to the saints

C. The common salvation

D. The love of God

*How were topics for what became Bible books chosen?

*How many faiths are there?

*How many times has a faith been delivered?

*To whom was faith delivered?

* What or who are "the saints" mentioned?

*What does Jude tell us to do for the faith?

(Jude 1:4) For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

*How did men come in among the saints?

*What kind of men were they?

*Was this a surprise to God?

*Why did God allow these men to come in among the saints?

*What 2 things did the ungodly people do?

A. Made new traditions and claimed Jesus wasn't coming back

B. Perverted God's grace and denied God and Jesus Christ

C. Held on to the old law and denied the Holy Spirit

D. Were too legalistic and not forgiving enough

(Jude 1:5) I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.

*True or False - God would never destroy people after He saved them.

*Was Jude telling these brethren something they had never heard before?

*Who are "the people" mentioned in this verse?

*What group did God destroy?

*What does this tell us about the "once saved, always saved" doctrine?

2

(Jude 1:6) And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

*What was the angels' 'first estate'?

*What was their 'habitation'?

*What does Jude say these angels did?

A. They didn't do anything wrong.

B. They left their own habitation.

C. They possessed people.

D. They worshiped other angels instead of God.

* Where are these angels now?

* How long will they be there?

* What might this verse indicate about demon possession today?

(Jude 1:7) Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

*What did the people of Sodom and Gomorrha give themselves to?

*What did the people of Sodom and Gomorrha go after?

*What does the term 'strange flesh' refer to?

*True or False - Sodom and Gomorrha were the only two cities destroyed by God at that time.

*How were they destroyed?

*What warning is there for us today in these events?

(Jude 1:8) Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.

*Who are the "filthy dreamers" Jude refers to here?

*Likewise refers back to which 3 groups Jude has mentioned?

*What do these do to the flesh?

*What do these despise?

* Of what do they speak evil?

*How did the first 3 groups do these same three things? Or did they?

(Jude 1:9) Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

*Who is the Michael mentioned here?

*Is he mentioned anywhere else in scripture and if so where?

*How many archangels are mentioned in the Bible?

*How many archangels are named in the Bible?

*What did Michael and the devil dispute about?

*What would Michael not do in this argument?

*What did Michael say to the devil?

*How should this influence the way we speak to and about others?

*Can you think of some other verses that speak about our speech toward others?

3

(Jude 1:10) But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.

*Who are 'these'?

*True or False - They corrupt themselves in things which they know not?

*What other Bible book, chapter, and verse compares people to brute beasts?

*How many similarities can you see between Jude and that chapter?

*Why do you think 2 chapters with similar contents are both in the Bible?

(Jude 1:11) Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.

*What did the dreamers not do according to Jude verses 8-11?

A. Despise dominion

B. Go in the way of Cain

C. Defile the flesh

D. Perish in the gainsaying of Core(Korah)

E. Speak evil of dignitaries

F. Run greedily for reward like Balaam

G. Contend with the devil like Michael the archangel

*What is the 'way of Cain' that these have followed?

*What was the error of Balaam?

*What is 'gainsaying'?

*What was the gainsaying of Core (Korah) about?

*Where do we read about these three men?

*Why do you think Jude did not mention where these events were recorded?

*If you asked the average person claiming to be a Christian about these events what percentage, do you think, would know what you were talking about?

*Do you think Christians today are MORE informed or LESS informed about the Bible than people in the past?

*Do you think you know more of the Bible or less of the Bible than the average Christian 100 years ago?

*Do you think you know more of the Bible or less of the Bible than the average Christian in the first century?

*Why do you think that is the case?

*Are you satisfied with the level of Bible knowledge you have?

*Do you think God is satisfied with your level of Bible knowledge?

(Jude 1:12) These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;

*Why do you think the brethren were allowing these people to share in their feasts of charity?

*What kind of clouds are these people compared to?

*What kind of trees are they compared to?

*Is it impossible, possible, likely, or certain that there are some like these in the church today?

*How does Jude's mention of feasts of charity impact our authority to have a fellowship room?

4

(Jude 1:13) Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.

* Which of the following things does Jude not say about these wicked men?

A. They are hornets without stingers and barking dogs that don't bite.

B. They are like clouds without water and wandering stars.

C. They are spots on charity feasts (comparable to our fellowship meals) and waves of the sea.

D. They are trees without fruit and plucked up by the roots.

* To what kind of waves does Jude compare these evil people?

* What are they foaming out?

* What is reserved for them?

* For how long?

(Jude 1:14) And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,

* Who does Jude say had prophesied?

* Where can you read about this individual?

* What do you know about this prophet?

* What does the prophecy say the Lord is going to do?

* How many are with the Lord?

* Who are the ones with the Lord?

(Jude 1:15) To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

* True or False - Genesis records this prophecy of Enoch that Jude quotes. If true, give chapter and verse(s).

* In the quote of Enoch's prophecy, how many times does Enoch say ungodly?

A. 3

B. 5

C. He doesn't say ungodly at all in his prophecy.

D. 4

* Why does Enoch say the Lord is coming?(2 things)

* What two things did Enoch mention that they were condemned for?

A. Their impure thoughts and evil actions

B. Their ungodly deeds and hard speeches

C. Their idolatry and sexual immorality

D. Their persecution of the righteous and destruction of the environment

(Jude 1:16) These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.

* How were they walking?

* What kind of words did these ungodly people speak?

* Why would they admire certain people?

5

* What else does Jude say of these wicked people?

A. They are complainers

B. They haven't been baptized

C. They are murmurers

D. They are murderers

E. All of the above

F. A and C

G. None of the above

(Jude 1:17) But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;

* What does Jude call those to whom he is writing?

* Is Jude telling them something new in this verse?

* Who does Jude say was the source of what he is about to tell them?

(Jude 1:18) How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.

* Where else is this taught in the New Testament?

* What is a mocker?

* When did the apostles say these mockers were supposed to come?

* Did the people Jude is writing to know any of the apostles?

* TRUE or FALSE - We are waiting for these mockers to come because they are not here yet.

* How did the apostles say these mockers would walk?

(Jude 1:19) These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

* Does Jude say these mockers were still to come in the future?

* What does it mean to be sensual?

* What do these people do?

* What do they not have?

(Jude 1:20) But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

* How does Jude feel about those to whom he is writing?

* How did Jude want them to build themselves up?

A. By complimenting each other regularly

B. On the basis of how much their contributions are

C. He told them to humble themselves instead of building themselves up

D. On their most holy faith

* What did Jude say about their praying?

A. It should be in the Holy Ghost .

B. It should be in tongues.

C. It should be in ornate and richly embellished language.

D. It should be done in secret.

6

(Jude 1:21) Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

* Where does Jude say we should keep ourselves?

* Whom does Jude teach is responsible for a person's relationship to God?

* For what are we to be looking?

* To what will that lead?

(Jude 1:22) And of some have compassion, making a difference:

* What does Jude say we should have toward some?

* What will that do?

* Why do you think Jude does not say we should treat everyone this way?

(Jude 1:23) And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

* True or False - Jude says we should not treat all lost sinners the same way.

* How should we save some others?

* Out of what are we to pull them?

* Why do some need to be saved this way?

* What are we to hate?

(Jude 1:24) Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

* Who is able to keep you from falling?

* How is this individual able to present you?

* Where are you to be presented?

* With what feeling are you to be presented?

(Jude 1:25) To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

* How many wise gods are there?

* Who is our Saviour, according to this verse?

* What 4 things does Jude say should be given to God?

* When should God be given these 4 things?

* Now unto him that is able to keep you from ________________, and to present you ________________ before the presence of his glory with exceeding ______, to the only wise _________ our ______________, be glory and ____________, dominion and ________, both now and ___________. Amen.

* True or False - In all Jude made reference to at least 8 Old Testament characters or events.

7

11. True or false - We don't need to study the Old Testament because we are under the New Testament law.