The Epistles of Peter & Jude

1. The Epistles of Peter & Jude Lesson 21: Contend Earnestly for the Faith “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. -- II Peter 3:9

2. The Book of Jude Author. Self identified as brother of James (vs. 1). Thought to be the same Jude as the brother of Jesus. (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3) Another possibility Jude (Judas) the apostle. KJV says brother of James in Luke 6:16 and Acts 1:13 However, the author doesn’t claim to be an apostle and refers to the apostles in vs. 18. Very little else is known about him or his work.

3. The Book of Jude Addressed to: To those who are called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ. Assumed to be the same group to whom Peter wrote. Date of writing: Because of similarity to themes of II Peter, it is assumed to have been written from 64-80 A.D. Peter warns of apostasy, false teachers, Jude says it has happened. Therefore, many place the date in the decade of 70 – 80 A.D.

4. The Book of Jude Major Themes of Jude, similar to II Peter Contend earnestly for the faith. Ungodly people “have” crept in. Compare to II Peter. God has and will punish the wicked who: Practice licentiousness Reject authority Grumble, find fault, speak harshly Cause Divisions Flatter others to gain an advantage Remember the warnings from the apostles. Build yourselves up on your faith Have mercy, save others.

5. False Teachers are among you (vs. 1-4) To those who are called: I made every effort, felt necessary to write, Contend earnestly for the faith. Lit. “to wrestle” How might we contend for the faith? Stand Firm in the faith (I Cor. 16:13) Obedient to the faith (Acts 6:7; Rom. 16:26) Examine yourselves to see if you are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5) Stand firm/strive in one spirit, mind for the faith. (Philippians 1:27) Continue in the faith, firmly, rooted and established. (Colossians 1:23; 2:7)

6. False Teachers are among you (vs. 1-4) Once for all, handed down to the saints. Truth has been handed down for all time, never to be superseded or amended. Compare to II Peter 1:3, II Timothy 3:16,17. False teachers Crept in secretly, unnoticed. Lit. “through a side door”. II Peter 2:1; Galatians 2:4.

7. False Teachers are among you (vs. 1-4) Long beforehand marked out for condemnation. From ancient times, declared on all who does what these are doing. Turned grace of God into lasciviousness. Similar to II Pet. 2. Some have attempted to use Christian liberty as an license for ungodly living. See Rom. 6:1.

8. God will Punish the Ungodly (vs. 5-7) Three examples of God’s punishment. Israelites who sinned after leaving Egypt. Compare to I Corinthians 10:1-10 Lusted after evil things. Idolatry Sexual immorality Tested God. Complained. Were Destroyed for unbelief.

9. God will Punish the Ungodly (vs. 5-7) Three examples of God’s punishment. Angels who sinned. Compare to II Peter 2 Angels are moral beings. Didn’t keep their own domain, habitation. Abandoned their proper abode. Kept in eternal bonds under darkness for judgment. Sodom, Gomorrahand surrounding cities. Residents guilty of gross immorality (homosexuality). An example of undergoing punishment of eternal fire. Conclusion is that if God punished these, He will also punish false teachers!

10. Characteristics of False Teachers (vs. 8-13) Conduct of False Teachers. By Dreaming Defile the flesh. Reject authority and revile angelic majesties. Michael the Archangel didn’t rail against the Devil. He contended with the Devil over the body of Moses Instead said “The Lord rebuke You”. If one of the highest beings in the angelic showed restraint against the Devil, what does it say for the false teachers? Revile things they don’t understand and things they do know. Acted like unreasoning animals. II Peter 2:12 Are destroyed as a result of following their evil desires.

11. Characteristics of False Teachers (vs. 8-13) Passages that address speaking evil of others. Eph. 4:31; Titus 3:2; I Peter 2:1 Passages that address showing respect and honor for those in authority. Exodus 22:28; I Peter 2:17; I Timothy 5:17; Ephesians 6:2; Romans 13:7; I Timothy 2:1-2.

12. Characteristics of False Teachers (vs. 8-13) Three examples of those which the False teachers follow. Cain (disobedience, hate, murder, ruin). Balaam (use of prophecy for gain). Korah (rebelled against Divinely authorized authority) Like hidden reefs in their love feasts. Fearless, Fruitless and empty. Uncontrolled. For whom the Black darkness has been reserved forever.

13. Characteristics of False Teachers (vs. 8-13) What were Love Feasts? Similar language to II Peter 2:12-17. Some suggest church sponsored meals. Brethren did eat together, but in houses Acts 2:46. And I Corinthians 11:17-22 states that we “have houses” in which to eat and drink. There is no passage that indicates that churches are to fund or to provide for common meals as a part of their work. That is why the church here does not provide a place or the means to have common meals. We do as individuals meet & eat together. Acts 2:46.

14. Characteristics of False Teachers (vs. 8-13) What were Love Feasts? Three possible explanations that harmonize with other passages: Lord’s Supper (I Corinthians 5:6-8). Common meals of individual Christians (Acts 2:46). Life of a Christian and fellowship of love we have with others. There is no passage that indicates that churches are to fund or to conduct common meals as a part of their work.