Introduction to Jude

 Dr. Gail E. Terrell
Pastor, Grace Baptist Church, Hamilton, Ohio

  1. Author. The author identifies himself as Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James (v. 1).   Seven men in the New Testament are named Jude (Greek, Judas ); however, since he indicated his relationship to James, the author must be one of the younger brothers of James and the half-brother of Jesus (Matthew 13:55; Galatians 1:19). He did not consider himself to be an apostle (vs. 17-18). James was not a believer before the crucifixion of Jesus (Mark 6:3; John 7:3-8), and was probably saved during the 40 days after the resurrection, perhaps having seen the resurrected Christ (Acts 1:14). The time and location of writing cannot be determined accurately. Jude was probably written between 66-80 A.D.
     
  2. Recipients. Addressed to all believers, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called (v. 1).
  3. Theme. Contending for the faith once delivered unto the saints.
  4. Key verses. 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. 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.
  5. Key words used in Jude: ungodly – 6 times.
  6. References to the Lord's church in Jude: the word church does not appear in the brief epistle of Jude. Jude warns that there are certain men crept in unawares (v. 4). Jesus also warned concerning His sheepfold: John 10:1 ,10 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 10 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. Jesus, the Great Shepherd (I Peter2:25) and Head (Ephesians 5:23) of each sheepfold, has pastors (shepherd, Greek poimen) serving as undershepherds(I Peter 5:2-4) in His church folds (Ephesians 4:11). All obedient sheep (Christians, John 10: 27) should be members of a sheepfold (church) that honors the Great Shepherd!
  7. Jude has 1 chapter, 25 verses, and about 613 words.  

Notes