29 - Jude - Remember Ye The Words

Introduction

  • The panel discussion addresses the last two books of the New Testament: the book of Jude and the book of Revelation.

  • Participants include:

    • Professor Victor Ludlow (Brigham Young University, Department of Ancient Scripture)

    • Professor Richard Draper (Department of Ancient Scripture)

    • Professor Kent Brown (Department of Ancient Scripture)

    • Andrew Skinner (Dean of Religious Education)

Overview of the Books

  • Book of Jude

    • One of the shortest books in the canon.

    • Straightforward structure and content.

  • Book of Revelation

    • One of the longer and more complex books in the New Testament.

Comparing and Contrasting Jude and Revelation

1. Sources of Revelation

  • Revelation: Direct revelation from the Lord to John.

  • Jude: Mentions the Holy Ghost; respects the apostolic authority and includes teachings from it.

2. Quoting Outside the Canon

  • Jude quotes non-canonical texts:

    • First Enoch: A quote from Chapter 1, Verse 9. Recognized by some Ethiopian Christians but not generally considered canonical among other Christian groups.

    • Assumption of Moses: Another apocryphal text quoted in Jude, indicated by early historians (Origen, Clement of Alexandria, and Didymus the Blind).

  • Jude’s references suggest a broader understanding of scripture during early Christian history, implying recognition of some texts as authoritative that the current canon ignores.

3. Identity and Authorship

  • Jude identifies himself uniquely:

    • He is the only writer in the New Testament to identify as a brother of someone else (James).

    • Likely suggests James is the brother of Jesus, which implies that Jude is also a brother of Jesus.

  • John: An apostle and one of the chief apostles in early Christianity, a significant leader in the church since he was among the first followers of Jesus.

4. Belief Histories of Authors

  • John: Always believed in Jesus as the Messiah, providing a strong eyewitness testimony.

  • Jude: Initially did not believe during Jesus’ earthly ministry, only becoming a believer after the resurrection.

5. Jude’s Historical Context and Later Influence

  • Jude is mentioned in Eusebius's Ecclesiastical History regarding two grandsons who were interviewed by Emperor Domitian (81-96 AD) regarding potential threats from Christianity.

  • This marks a significant historical note, as it provides one of the rare references to Jesus' family outside of scriptural texts.

Audience and Message of Jude

1. Audience of Jude

  • Addressed to members of the church (potentially both Jewish and Gentile Christians), described as “sanctified by God”.

  • Verse 1: Introduces Jude as a servant and emphasizes the audience’s status in relation to God.

2. Nature of Jude’s Writings

  • Jude’s writings focus on maintaining faith amidst challenges, urging the recipients to uphold their beliefs against apostasy.

    • Encourages a deeper understanding of the divine roles within the Godhead, indicating they are separate yet unified in purpose.

Significant Contributions in the Text of Jude

1. Verse 6

  • Angels: Reference to angels who left their first estate, suggesting a pre-mortal existence and rebellion against divine authority.

  • The concept of “first estate” is unique, introducing the idea of potential divine punishment for rebellion (i.e., being reserved in “everlasting chains”).

2. Verse 9

  • Michael the Archangel: Contest against the devil regarding Moses' body.

    • A lesson on restraint and discipline in speech, contrasting Michael’s restraint with unruly behavior in Jude’s audience.

3. Verse 14

  • Jude quotes First Enoch, indicating an understanding of prophecy regarding the second coming and divine judgment.

    • Highlights themes of salvation and punishment for the wicked, reinforcing Jude’s warnings against apostasy.

Key Themes and Warnings

  • The book connects to a larger theme of vigilance in faith, highlighting the risk of becoming apostate.

  • Jude warns against those who might lead others astray, comparing them to various rebels from history (e.g., Sodom and Gomorrah).

  • He emphasizes the idea of apostasy as an active rebellion against God, not merely a passive falling away.

Conclusion

  • The Book of Jude is frequently overlooked but contains rich insights into early Christian belief, the nature of authority, and the understanding of scripture.

  • By studying Jude, one can gain valuable knowledge regarding the doctrines of salvation and the persistent dangers of apostasy.