Return to the Scriptures

"Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints." (1) 

Jude further stated, " For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ." At the time of Jude "the faith" or Apostolic teaching was under attack and in need of defense. As Paul was saying goodbye to the Ephesian elders he stated, "I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;" (Acts 20:29). 

Although, the New Testament canon may not have been in final form the teaching of the Apostles was settled. The Apostle Paul commends Titus as one in "a common faith" (Titus 1:4). Jude concluded it was a "common salvation". Perhaps, as Jude was about to write on the main tenets of Christianity he had to turn to attacks on the faith. It was given and to be contended for. 

Even in John 20:30 ("which are not written in this book") it is clear by the writing of John that he and possibly other of the disciples had a process of determining what to include in written form. By the second century most of the New Testament was recognized and the majority of it can be found cited in early patristic writings. Writing to the Philippians much later, Polycarp wrote "Wherefore, forsaking the vanity of many, and their false doctrines, let us return to the word which has been handed down to us..." (2) 

The greatest missionary of the Apostolic truth is the Bible itself. The Truth of God's Word existed before Luther, Calvin, or Urshan. It is our duty to remind the world, and to remind believers to return to the Scriptures. In them is Apostolic teaching and our common salvation.

NOTES:

1) All verses are from the English Standard Version

2) Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians: http://ccel.org/fathers2/ANF-01/anf01-11.htm#P832_153920