Jude Contend for the Faith

Apocrypha & NT parallels Paul: Romans, 1 Corinthians James Hebrews (author unknown) Jesus: Ecclesiasticus Old & new wine NB 2 Peter & Jude not only writer who quoted extra-biblical sources!

Jesus: dominant teaching Deuteronomy Isaiah Psalms Used Apocrypha images / form, but content is OT

Non-scripture references: NT (1) Acts 7:22Oral Tradition Acts 17:28Aratus’ “Phaenomena 5” (Athenian Poet) 1 Cor 10:4Allusion to Rabbinic Midrash on the Rock 1 Cor 15:32, 33Heathen Poet (from the play Thaiis by the Greek comic poet) Gal 3:5Jewish Tradition

Non-scripture references: NT (2) 2 Tim 3:8Jewish “Haggadah” found in various non-canonical writings Titus 1:12Cretan prophet (Epimenides) Heb 2:2Jewish Tradition Heb 11:37Allusion to non-canonical writings James 5:17Allusion to non-canonical writings

Non-scripture references: 2 Pt, Jude 2 Peter 2:22bPossibly from the Syrian story of Ahikar. (Also found in the Apocalypse of Peter and the Acts of Thomas) Jude 9Assumption of Moses (This is according to Origen. This writing is lost.) Jude 14Book of Enoch

How parallels are viewed? Opinions on significance of parallels: Tertullian: Jude’s testimony authenticates the entire book of Enoch as inspired Scripture Jerome: Many rejected the canonicity of Jude because he had dared to quote a book without an authentic author Augustine permitted Jude to refer to a single sentence of Enoch without imagining that by so doing he conferred canonical status on the entire book

Correct view If Bible book is not quoted: does not take canonicity away If extra-Biblical book is quoted: does not give authority Thus agree with Augustine Quotes: only examples – not doctrine!

Author v1: Jude Servant of Jesus Brother of James – leader of church in Jerusalem v17: recognizes apostolic authority 3 possibilities

3 Possible Authors Judas of JamesJudas called Barsabbas Brother of Jesus Disciple Luke 16:6 – son of James, not brother v17 – not apostle Acts 15:22 – early church leader no connection to a James Mk 6:3 – Jesus’ brothers (James and Jude) Not apostle Acts 15:13, Gal. 1:19: James leader

Brothers James & Jude Tradition: James stoned by Sanhedrin in 62AD Jude 50yrs? John 7:5 Only believed after resurrection – 1 Cor 15 Sign of humbleness

Barclay’s conclusion “When we read Jude it is obviously Jewish; its references are such that only a Jew could catch them. It is simple and rugged; it is vivid and pictorial. It is clearly the work of a simple thinker rather than a theologian. It fits Jude the brother of the Lord. It is attached to his name, and there could be no reason for so attaching it unless he did in fact write it.”

False teachers - Money 11 - abandoned themselves for sake of gain 11 - Balaam’s error 12 - look after themselves 16 - showing favouritism to gain advantage

False teachers - Morality 4 - pervert grace into sensuality 7 - Sodom and Gomorrah 8 - defile the flesh

False teachers - Speech 4 - deny our only Master Jesus 5 - people out of Egypt 9 - Michael angel 10 - blaspheme 15 - harsh things ungodly sinners spoken against him 16 loud-mouthed boasters, grumblers 18 - scoffers

False teachers - Authority 4 - deny our only Master 6 - Angels left proper dwelling (rebellion) 8 - reject authority 11 - Korah’s rebellion - despised authority 18 - scoffers

False teachers - Character 4 - crept in unnoticed 10 - unreasoning animals 12 - blemishes 16 - malcontents 18 - following own ungodly passions 19 - cause divisions, devoid of the Spirit, worldly

Archangel Michael The Assumption of Moses = lost Apocryphal book

Key teachings (1) 1:4 - All who are ungodly will come under the judgement of God. They teach to indulge in the flesh and deny Jesus as Master and rebel against his authority over them. 1:8 - Relying on dreams without measuring it against the word of God will lead to heresy.

Key teachings (2) 1:12 - These people rebelling against God’s word will not see life, but will be judged by God. 1:20 - The way to keep in the faith is to build yourself up in the faith, pray in the Spirit, stay in the love of God and wait for Christ’s mercy. 1:24 - Christ sustains the believer’s faith and is able to present the believer to God as blaimless on the judgement day

Application: NT roles of church (1) Matthew: Kingdom People Mark: Sacrificing Servants Luke: Evangelists for All People Acts: Worldwide Missionaries Romans: Agents of Racial Unity 1 Corinthians: Agents of Love 2 Corinthians: Vessels for the Lord

Application: NT roles of church (2) Galatians: Proclaimers of Freedom Ephesians: Recipients of God’s Riches Philippians: Forces of Unity and Humility Colossians: Recipients of Fullness 1 Thessalonians: Encouragers of the Afflicted 2 Thessalonians: Heralds of the Coming Lord

Application: NT roles of church (3) 1 Timothy: Defenders of the Truth 2 Timothy: Trainer of the Next Generation Philemon: Reconciler of Social Classes Hebrews: Evangelists of a New Covenant 1 Peter: Martyrs for Christ 2 Peter/Jude: Contenders for the Faith