The Summary of the Book of Jude
The book of Jude is a General Epistle (Apostolic Letter). The author is Jude the brother of James, both of who are half-brothers of Jesus Christ. Jude wrote it circa 75 A.D.
The purpose of this book is to address false teachings and to illustrate a contrast between the error of heresy and the truth of Jesus Christ. Jude consists of only one chapter.
Verses 1- 16 – Jude identifies himself and quickly delves into the dilemma of false teachings.
“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” (vs. 4)
Heresy was obviously seeping into the region, disturbing the churches, and deceiving believers. He begins by illustrating similarities between false teachers and condemned individuals from the Old Testament citing Cain, Balaam, and Korah.
Verses 17-25 – Jude urges Christians to…
1. One of Jesus’ 12 apostles, chosen to spread the word of the gospel.
2. St. Jude was also known as Thaddeus or Thaddaeus – said to be a surname for the name Labbaeus which means “heart” or courageous”.
3. He is believed to have written the book of St. Jude. Religious scholars say it contains some of the finest expressions of praise to God in the Bible’s New Testament.
4. St. Jude became associated with desperate situations because of a letter he wrote to the Churches of the East. In it he says that the faithful must keep going even in harsh or difficult circumstances.
5. He is thought to have been martyred in Beirut in around 65 AD, along with fellow apostle Simon the Zealot. He is often depicted showing a club or axe, symbolizing the way he died.
6. He is also sometimes pictured with a flame above his head. This refers to the Pentecost, where he and the other apostles received the Holy Spirit.
7. The personal ads sections of some newspapers occasionally include messages from people calling on St. Jude for help in times of need, or thanking him for his support and guidance.
8. Some choose to carry the image of St. Jude on a medal or as a pendant on a necklace to provide comfort.
9. The Shrine of St. Jude can be found at the parish church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Faversham, Kent. It was set up in the 1950s by the church’s friars, who noticed they were getting an increasing number of requests for St. Jude prayer cards. Donations to “The Shrine of St. Jude” began to come in, but one didn’t exist – so Friar Elias Lynch set one up. The shrine is visited all year round, but particularly on St Jude’s feast day – October 28.
10. St. Jude is not to be confused with Judas Iscariot – another of the 12 apostles, but the one who betrayed Jesus.
“But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ“(vs. 17).
He was referring to all of the apostles and disciples in the past, which had warned about false teachers and prophets that were coming to deceive.
His advice is to focus on Jesus Christ and to watch out for each other so that no one is misled into error.
Those who place their faith and trust in Jesus Christ are secure in salvation, not by their own good deeds, because no one is good enough to do that, but believers are secure by the vicarious work of Jesus Christ on the Cross.
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,
To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen (vs. 24-25).